The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Forrest completing the triangle
[ By Mark Reaman ]
Gunnison city manager Russ Forrest will be leaving to take the head job as Vail’s new town manager. Before working in Gunnison’s top job, Forrest was the Gunnison County economic and community development director.
According to an article in the Vail Daily, Forrest was once Vail’s community development department director. The Daily article quoted Vail mayor Kim Langmaid as saying, “We heard loud and clear from Forrest that he really, really wanted to return to Vail.”
On Monday, Forrest said he was “completing my triangle of ski towns and headed back to Vail.” Forrest also worked in Snowmass Village as the town manager.
“Russ has been an integral part to so many important initiatives for the City of Gunnison, and we are infinitely grateful to him for his passion, charisma and vision,” said Gunnison mayor Diego Plata in an email Tuesday. “From navigating the city through the pandemic, to helping improve the culture for the organization and make city staff truly feel appreciated for their hard work, to identifying and securing grant opportunities to move some of the city’s biggest projects ahead; his ability to strategically plan, collaborate and execute is so admirable and impressive. We wish Russ and his family all the best in his new role!”
Forrest’s Vail contract states that he is expected to begin work no later than November 20 although starting by October 31 is preferred. According to the Daily, the town manager’s job pays $215,000 and comes with a house and ski pass. Vail’s annual budget is $120 million and the town has 346 full-time equivalent employees. He will be Vail’s ninth town manager since the town was incorporated in 1966.
