Working hard and getting lucky to be at the right place at the right time

An interview with Armon Rahbar, Director Of Engineering – Limelight Hotels, Aspen & Snowmass

Follow his mountain town employer Aspen Skiing Company on LinkedIn and Instagram

In a few sentences, describe your current job(s) and path to get there:

I was recently promoted to be the Director of Engineering to oversee the Maintenance Engineering departments for both Limelight Hotel Aspen & Snowmass. I was hired as an entry-level Maintenance Engineer for the new Limelight Snowmass property that was about to open and began my training in Limelight Aspen. Shortly after the opening of Limelight Snowmass, I was promoted to Engineering Manager for the property. Over the last few years, there have been a few structural changes within the department, leading me to my current role.

I stay for the friends I’ve made, the job I feel challenged but successful at, and the adventure opportunities to explore places I have yet to see. 

What does a mountain town offer for your lifestyle that you just couldn’t find in the city? Why do you stay?

Of course, the outdoors are the biggest attraction to a mountain town. Being so close to the mountains – winter or summer – is a huge benefit not having to worry about that weekend Denver traffic. I stay for the friends I’ve made, the job I feel challenged but successful at, and the adventure opportunities to explore places I have yet to see. 

How do you define success for your mountain career? What does success look like for you at this place in your life?

Success in life for me is simply happiness. My happiness, however, is defined by many different aspects–family & friends, work-life balance, a home to call your own, and new experiences.

What’s the first thing you’d point to when someone asks for help with housing in the mountains?

Look at their network. Hopefully, they have some good friends that will let you stay on their couch until they can find something permanent.

Who is one person who has impacted you or supported your career? What did they teach you? Why is this important to your success?

Aaron Shaffer (ASC’s head of Facilities) has definitely had a huge positive impact on my career. He’s taught me how to better manage multiple projects, prioritize what’s important in our hospitality industry, and most importantly, how to be a stronger leader for my department. 

That’s when my thinking changed from planning to be out here for a season to this could be a legitimate career path for myself in life.

What was a milestone moment for your mountain career where you felt like you “figured it out,” and what steps did you take to get there?

I would say when I was first offered the manager position was the beginning of that milestone. That’s when my thinking changed from planning to be out here for a season to this could be a legitimate career path for myself in life. I don’t think I did anything particularly special to get to that point except working hard and getting lucky to be at the right place at the right time.

It’s a good feeling working for a company that shares your views on major issues in our world such as climate change.

What makes working at Aspen Skiing Company so special?

I think ASC is quite unique in its principles. It’s a good feeling working for a company that shares your views on major issues in our world such as climate change. That they’re willing to invest significantly in more sustainability says a lot about the direction of the company.

Resumes and qualifications aside, what are the three main things you would tell job seekers they need to focus on when they’re pursuing opportunities with Aspen Skiing Company?

Meet as many people as you can, prove you have a strong work ethic and do your best to keep a positive attitude even when things are difficult.