Agee to succeed Russell at foundation
Born in Bishop, raised in Mammoth, from a family steeped with local history, Dion Agee has been chosen to succeed Evan Russell as the leader of the Mammoth Lakes Foundation.
Russell, who helped found the Foundation in 1989 while working as a Mammoth Mountain Ski Area employee, has served as President and CEO of the organization since 1998.
Agee is the new Executive Director and will immediately take over the day-to-day operations. Russell will remain as President/CEO for now, but will primarily serve as an emeritus consultant. His main focus: shepherding the proposed performing arts center project.
The official passing of the torch will take place in July, 2015, pending full board approval.
Russell, who has been talking about finding a successor for a few years now, said Agee entered the picture about three or four months ago when he was contracted to help with the Mammoth Food and Wine event.
As Agee said this week, “It’s my ideal job. Philsophically, it’s a community-first organization. It’s genuine. It’s something I’m connected to and passionate about … And they want someone to take ownership and be entrepreneurial.”
According to Russell, Agee was vetted during an Executive Committee meeting in May (The Executive Committee consists of Dave and Gary McCoy, Gary Myers, Shields Richardson and Bonnie Colgan) and offered the job in June. The full Foundation Board of Directors was informed of the selection last week.
As Russell said, “He [Agee] has a pretty good demeanor. He listens well.”
And the real test?
“The rest of the group [within the Foundation offices] is strongly opinionated and they all support the decision and think they’ll work well together,” he said.
Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre operates under the aegis of the Foundation. Artistic Director Shira Dubrovner, who first met Agee via the Food and Wine Experience, said he has great people-management skills and is not knee-jerk or reactionary in how he responds to things. “He’s a good listener,” she said.
New Foundation Development Director (transitioning from Marketing Director) Juliana Olinka echoed Dubrovner’s assessment. “He’s open. He listens. And he’s cool under pressure.”
But the best quote came from Shields Richardson. Agee managed Richardson’s successful campaign for Mammoth’s Town Council this spring. “Anyone who can get me elected is clearly amazing,” joked Richardson.
Dion Agee standing for a photo at Mammoth Lakes Foundation offices next to a display featuring his grandfather, Bob Bumbaugh, and Dave McCoy. Photo courtesy: Sheet staff.
Agee has a long and varied resume, though as Dave McCoy said Thursday, “His [Agee’s] entire career has led to this moment.”
A 1985 graduate of Mammoth High School, Agee worked for Rossignol for seven years post-college. He’s owned one business with his brother, a consignment shop located in what is now the Mammoth Pet building, and he also opened a shoe store in Bend, Oregon circa 2005 called the “King of Sole.”
He’s run the Village at Mammoth Neighborhood Company, as well as the Inyo Register.
During a four-year stint at Mammoth Mountain, he oversaw MMSA’s employee housing program.
As Dave McCoy said on Thursday, “He’s a local son of Mammoth, and he’s got a lot of experience, both fundraising and working for himself.”
When asked about his vision for the organization, Agee answered the question this way.
“I asked Dave, ‘What would make you happy to see going on with the Mammoth Lakes Foundation, the College and the Arts if you drove into Mammoth Lakes 25 years from now?’” recalls Agee.
“I am happy now. Look at all we have done, how far we have come,” was Dave’s reply. “And in 25 years, the Mammoth Lakes Foundation will be exactly what the community needs it to be,” he added.
As Agee elaborated, with the changing face of education and with the increased use of the internet, distance learning, etc., maybe the former goal of establishing a four-year college is outdated. Or not, but whatever the case, he said the Foundation will focus on providing education and arts appropriate to the times and needs of the community.
Agee acknowledged that one of his first tasks is to raise awareness for just what the Mammoth Lakes Foundation is, and what it isn’t. It’s not the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, and sometimes, folks get confused between the two.
Short answer: The Mammoth Lakes Foundation is focused on higher education in the Eastern Sierra. The Community Foundation talks about education, but also has a ski team component. MLF = Dave McCoy. MMCF = Rusty Gregory.
