Here today gone tomorrow! According to the local newspapers Scott Bender is now a Hidden Valley employee. Check out the Somerset Daily American and Johnstown Tribune-Democrat stories.
Back in our July 2007 e-letter PRIOR to Buncher formally recording their purchase of Hidden Valley we wrote, "We do believe that there is a perfect storm brewing out there when it comes to finding and retaining top notch employees. Seven Springs has always carried between 800 to 1,300 depending upon the season and Hidden Valley has seen more people leave than stay for the long term. Given that housing is currently only affordable outside of both resorts (and there isn't much available) we think there is going to be major competition and better compensation packages being offered for hard workers."
Then in our September 2007 e-letter we wrote about the rising cost of food prices at Seven Springs, "Will the price increases filter down to compensation or benefits for employees? It is going to be very interesting to see how Human Resource reacts to REAL competition from Hidden Valley for employees. For traveling time people living in Mount Pleasant or Somerset (the two closest towns) have a much easier (as in straighter) and shorter drive to Hidden Valley. Benefits could play a big part in signing up the best and brightest!"
Our concern is who is going to follow Scott?
Buncher has the biggest dream we've ever seen and that is going to attract people who enjoy the building phase of development. They have the land and the money to make it a reality! We still believe that the first resort that commits to substantial employee housing will be the hands down top dog in the coming years.
Abe recalls from being involved with Kettler Forlines at the initial first release of condominiums in 1984 (Swiss Mountain) and then in 1987 when the first slope side properties were released at the Villages, "There is nothing more exciting than selling a dream!"
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