DIRECTORS

Pete Steffen

Pete Steffen was born and raised in Michigan (East Detroit) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Western Michigan University in 1977. Finding his way to California after graduation, Pete spent the next 25 years in the custom packaging industry and eventually started his own company in 1987. After selling his business in 2002, he has committed his time to his community, advisory board capacities, coaching, fundraising efforts and substitute teaching at his local high school. Two years ago, Pete and his wife Cheryl (his college sweetheart) decided that they would build their retirement home in Bozeman after spending time at his brother’s vacation home in Big Sky and realizing how much the area reminded them of their upbringing in Michigan. With their daughter Sarah in her forth year at San Diego State University and their son Brad, a senior at Laguna Hills High School, they plan on making the permanent move early in 2006. Pete’s extensive experience in the corporate and small business environment to manage and drive large projects will be a great asset to Bridger Canyon Partners LLC. Pete is an avid mountain bike rider, loves fly fishing, hiking and just about anything else that involves the outdoors.

John Barkow

Raised in Montana, John spent two pre-college winters working at Bridger Bowl and graduated from Montana State University in 1983 with a degree in Business Management.

After college, John spent nearly 20 years as an employee and owner of Wonderland Homes in Boulder and Lafayette, Colorado, building innovative new homes and communities in the Metro Denver area. In 2003, John moved back to Bozeman with his wife Janet and their two boys Anderson and Ross.

For John, Bridger Bowl is a refreshing dose of quality skiing in a special place; a historic snapshot of what skiing used to be. Members of the design group have been employees at Bridger Bowl, coached racing and have enjoyed skiing at Bridger with family and friends over the past 35 years; they have skied all over the world and understand what is unique and special about this place.

John serves on the Board of Wonderland Homes and Bozeman’s Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board and is a member of the Bridger Ski Foundation. The Barkows are avid skiers and both Anderson and Ross race in the BSF alpine program.

Larry Pearson

Larry Pearson was born in Connecticut but spent most of his childhood in California where he began his work in Architecture. Larry received his degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz and has subsequently created a unique niche for himself in the world of rustic architecture. He originally made a name for himself in California by incorporating contemporary design with a focus on environmental context. Larry then moved on to further integrate structure and environment with ranch and family companies when he relocated to Montana 12 years ago. He is always looking towards the site and landscape to inspire the comprehensive building process. Larry often incorporates the use of indigenous materials from the property itself in order to reinforce the relationship between a structure and its surroundings.

Larry established his own firm in 1997 where he has specialized in meeting the design needs of clients interested in building rustic homes and ranches. According to Larry, each house has its own personality and is as unique as the site and the clients. The common thread throughout all of his designs, however, is that each and every finished product tells a story. While equipped with the conveniences of today's lifestyles, Larry's buildings give their guests an identity rooted in a subtlety of history.

Dick Prugh

Dick is a partner in Prugh & Lenon Architects, P.C., a Bozeman, Architectural/Planning firm that was established over 30 years ago. Dick and his partner, Jamie Lenon, went to architecture school at Montana State University where they were members of the MSU Ski Team. After graduation they were the founding Director and Head Coach for the Bridger Ski Foundation. Both partners have been very active in the community as board members of Eagle Mount, Emerson Cultural Center, Mental Health Assoc. of Montana, local ski, tennis and soccer associations and the Downtown Bozeman Association.

Prugh & Lenon's architectural practice has specialized in civic, institutional and commercial work. They have been the architects for such local prominent projects as the Museum of the Rockies, Gallatin Field Airport, the existing Bozeman Public Library, and two Bozeman elementary schools, Morning Star and Emily Dickinson. One of the firm's favorite projects is the Deer Park Chalet at Bridger Bowl.

Prugh & Lenon is committed to providing quality building design and environmentally sound land use planning and look forward to working with the community to enhance the multi-season recreational experience at Bridger Bowl and the surrounding area.