Eaglecrest board extends former acting manager's pay through mid-November to help new GM

The Eaglecrest Ski Area Board of Directors voted 6-0 on Sept. 3 to keep paying Erin Lupro acting general manager pay through Nov. 15, about 11 weeks after Julie Piper became the ski area's general manager Aug. 31. The general manager can extend the pay through Nov. 29, according to draft minutes and the city's pay schedule.

Eaglecrest, on Douglas Island, is owned by the City and Borough of Juneau and overseen by a city-appointed board. Lupro had been overseeing day-to-day operations since General Manager Craig Cimmons resigned Jan. 8.

Board member Jim Calvin made the motion, citing the transition workload. He estimated the added cost at $6,000 to $6,500, covered by savings from a vacant marketing position, which Kristen Strom fills starting Sept. 28. A board committee recommended the extension so Piper could draw on Lupro's experience before the board's annual meeting and a presentation to the Juneau Assembly in November.

Board member Kevin Krein joined remotely after the roll call and did not vote.

Piper earns $134,014.40 a year. The board takes up the minutes Thursday.