VBR Foundation’s Legends of Vail

The summer before her senior year at the University of Kansas, Suzi Apple and her roommate embarked on an impromptu journey westward, drawn by the allure of a place they had heard so much about—Vail. Hundreds of miles and two speeding tickets later, they crested Vail Pass, and what Suzi saw took her breath away: cascading waterfalls, verdant mountainsides, snow-capped peaks, and the glistening rush of Gore Creek. "I was awestruck. I didn't know what to expect, but I surely didn't expect anything so spectacular. At that moment, I knew I'd live in Vail for the rest of my life."

Since that first unforgettable drive over Vail Pass, Suzi has encountered many others with similar stories. It seems that everyone who comes here is touched by the natural beauty and the welcoming community spirit that defines Vail. Each person has a unique story, a vision of what Vail means to them. For Suzi, the true joy lies in helping people capture and embrace the essence of this remarkable place.

As a seasoned real estate professional and the visionary founder of Gateway Real Estate Vail Valley Colorado, Suzi has dedicated herself to helping others find their piece of paradise in Vail. She takes pride in bringing the dream of living in this extraordinary place to those who have been enchanted by its wonders.

Suzi's own Vail experience is deeply enriched by her family. Her daughters, Ashley and Aubrie, and her grandchildren, Summit, Shep, Sawyer, Palmer & Parker, are integral to her life in Vail. Whether skiing the local slopes or hiking the majestic mountains, these family moments re-energize Suzi and remind her of the unique and special aspects of life in Vail.

What truly excites Suzi is the vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere of the Vail Valley. Every day, she strives to ensure that Gateway Real Estate Vail Valley Colorado meets the diverse needs and aspirations of its clients. "I don't believe in pushing our clients into a predetermined mold or forcing them onto a path of least resistance. That's just not the way we do things in the Vail Valley. The first step we take here is to listen. I think that we can help our clients achieve their goals best when we hear what they want—what would really be a dream come true for them."

In essence, that is the spirit of Vail. It is a place where dreams are realized, and Suzi Apple is honored to play a part in making those dreams come true.

Diane Boyer serves as the President and owner of Skea Limited, a women-owned and operated company providing luxury mountain lifestyle clothing for skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Diane discovered her passion for skiing early - she was skiing with her parents at Bromley, Vermont at the age of four. Then they moved over to Stratton, Vermont where she was a founding member of the Stratton Mountain Freestyle Team. Diane graduated from Dartmouth College in 1978.

She moved to Vail in 1977 and never looked back. She and her family still live in the mountains where SKEA is headquartered. Both girls were raised in Vail with the mountains as their playground. Diane is a passionate Colorado skier and outdoor enthusiast, actively promoting skiing for women and families through her company SKEA Ltd

Diane has made a career of actively promoting skiing for women and families through SKEA Ltd. and her involvement in SnowSports Industries America (SIA) and the Colorado Snowsports Museum. Her Colorado and national industry influence are borne of her tenure on the SIA board of directors (1998 –2009), including serving as the first female chair of SIA. Diane was instrumental in convincing SIA to move the annual January trade show from Las Vegas to Denver in 2009.

Diane encourages everyone to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of being on snow.

From 1997 to 2013, John Horan-Kates served as the President & CEO of the Vail Leadership Institute, now known as the Vail Alliance. Its purpose is to inspire purposeful leading and living. John serves as Chair of the Board.

In 2016, he started Inspirational Works, a publishing company for the purpose of “disseminating perspectives that help shape vibrant leadership cultures.” His most recent book is entitled "A Journey Toward Surrender." He also published a historical fiction on the Vietnam era entitled "When Called to Serve." And in 2015, he published "The Vail Way – The Making of a Community."

Prior to helping to establish the Institute, John ran East West Marketing, a company specializing in the development and marketing of large-scale resort programs. As Vice President of Marketing for Vail Associates from the mid-70’s to the mid-80’s, he led the development of several innovative marketing campaigns and programs.

As the founding President of the Vail Valley Foundation in the early 80’s, John worked directly with former President Gerald Ford to establish the American Ski Classic, headed fundraising efforts for the Ford Amphitheater and started the World Forum, chaired by President Ford. He also led Vail's efforts to secure the 1989 World Alpine Ski Championships and served on the Organizing Committee for both the 1989 and 1999 events. As Interim President for the Beaver Creek Arts Foundation in 1997, John led the effort to raise more than $21 million for the Vilar Center for the Arts.

John holds an undergraduate business degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, is an honors graduate from the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School and the Naval Supply School and is a decorated veteran of Vietnam service aboard the USS Jennings County. He holds a Certificate as a Professional Leadership Coach from the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara and is a graduate of the Living School at the Center for Action & Contemplation.

He is a past Chairman of the Vail Resort Association and has served on the boards of Colorado Ski Country USA, the Vail Valley Foundation, the Vail-St. Moritz Sister City Commission and the Business-Education Partnership. He was the founding Board Chairman of Vail Christian High School and remains an active supporter. In 1994, John was named Vail Valley Citizen of the Year.

A native of Detroit, John and his wife Pam live in the Lake Creek area of Edwards. Their son, Conor, is a software engineer in San Francisco and their daughter Brooke is a real estate broker in Cordillera.

Pete Seibert Jr. moved to Vail in 1962 for the first season of the fledgling ski area his father started. After a childhood spent growing with the new town and ski racing, Pete graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in American Literature, later following that with an MBA from the University of Denver.

Three years of ski patrol in Vail lead to supervisory and management positions at Snowbasin, UT, Sun Valley, ID and Arrowhead Mountain now part of Beaver Creek Resort. His family grew from one child, Pete, to three with a set of twins, Anna and Tony. Pete opted to stay in the valley and pursue a career in real estate. Now his fourth child, Lizzie, is 27 and Pete has been in real estate for 30 years.

Pete lives in the Chamonix neighborhood in West Vail, spending most of his time in the mountains on skis and bikes.

Pete volunteers with the Vail Veterans Program, is an elected Town of Vail Council Member and sits on the Board of Directors for the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance. When asked about present day Vail Pete says, "I still feel a sense of adventure in this valley when I think of what's to come, it's exciting!"