Tahoe TAP

Ep. 61 - Erin Ellis - Humane Society of Truckee Tahoe

Welcome back to Tahoe TAP—your go-to podcast for Things, Adventure, and People in the Tahoe region! Join hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway as they bring you the latest local news and dive into conversations with the people who make Tahoe special.

In this episode, we’re shining the spotlight on Erin Ellis, Community Engagement Director at the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. Erin has been a driving force in animal welfare since 2008, overseeing volunteer programs, Pet Assisted Therapy, Humane Education, and more. Tune in as we explore her expertise with the organization and her passion for helping animals find loving homes.

Hit play and let’s TAP into Tahoe! 🎧🏔️🐾

Ep. 60 - Andy Buckley - Homewood Mountain Resort

Welcome to another episode of Tahoe TAP, where we bring you the latest news, stories, and personalities shaping life in the Sierra. Your hosts, Mike Peron and Rob Galloway, are here to keep it local, lively, and always Tahoe-focused. 
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest topics in Lake Tahoe (Homewood's new development of a village and gondola) with a true industry veteran: Andy Buckley, VP and General Manager of Homewood Mountain Resort.
Andy has worked in the ski industry for the last forty years, starting as a guide in the French Alpine Resort of Flaine in ’84.  Since then, he has worked in various operations at Vail Mountain, Colorado, then moved to Northstar, CA to work on the Village Development in 2002. He oversaw the construction of the temporary and permanent skier service buildings and retail components of the new village, plus the iconic summer and winter operations at Northstar from 2007-2020.  In 2020 he started Hilltop Consulting and Development and chiefly focused on summer development projects for Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Deer Valley and Palisades Tahoe.  In 2023 he joined the Homewood team to oversee operations and guide operational development, becoming GM in late 2024.

Ep. 59 - Tony Karwowski - North Tahoe Community Alliance (NTCA)

Welcome back to the Tahoe TAP, everyone! Your hosts, Mike Peron and Rob Galloway, are back in action, ready to bring you another fresh episode packed with all things Tahoe—the latest news, epic adventures, and the incredible people who make this place special.

In this episode, we sit down with Tony Karwowski, President and CEO of the North Tahoe Community Alliance (NTCA).

A 20-year resident of the North Lake Tahoe region, Tony was the Director of Base Area Operations at Northstar California Resort for 14 years. He served on both the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association (TNT/TMA) board and the NLTRA’s Capital Infrastructure and Transportation committees, and was involved in employee housing while at Northstar.

Tony is responsible for leading the organization as it fosters a thriving local community and encourages responsible travel along with environmental stewardship.

Ep. 58 - Jeff DeFranco - Lake Tahoe Community College

Welcome back to The Tahoe TAP! Your hosts, Mike Peron and Rob Galloway, are here with another episode packed with Things, Adventure, and People from around the Tahoe region, delivered straight to your ears.

We kick things off with a quick roundup of the latest local news, but the highlight of this episode is our in-depth conversation with Jeff DeFranco, Superintendent/President of Lake Tahoe Community College. We dive into the powerful concept of #PromisesMadePromisesKept and how Jeff is making a lasting impact on education and the community in South Lake Tahoe.

A California native, Jeff joined LTCC in 2012 and previously served as the college’s Vice President of Administrative Services. His diverse background spans K-12, community colleges, and four-year institutions. Jeff holds an undergraduate degree from CSU Chico, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon, and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change at Pepperdine University.

Beyond his professional life, Jeff is a dedicated member of the South Lake Tahoe community, where he lives with his wife, Kasey, and their two sons. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Jeff is passionate about leadership, education, and driving positive change.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Jeff’s inspiring journey and insights, available wherever you get your podcasts!

Ep. 57 - Joe Irvin - City of South Lake Tahoe

In this episode of The Tahoe TAP, your hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back to deliver the latest scoop on all things Tahoe—Things, Adventure, and People. We kick things off with a quick roundup of top local news from around the Tahoe region before diving into a fascinating conversation with our featured guest, Joe Irvin, the City Manager for the City of South Lake Tahoe.

For the past 3.5 years, Joe has been at the helm of municipal operations, working closely with the City Council to implement policies and improve the community. With a Bachelor’s degree from CSU Channel Islands, a Master’s in Public Administration from Evergreen State College, and executive coursework from the University of Virginia, Joe brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role.

From his early days as a city planner to his current leadership role, Joe’s passion for local government shines through. Outside of work, Joe is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hockey, mountain biking, hiking, boating, and spending time with his wife and daughter.

Tune in for a great discussion about leadership, teamwork, and what it takes to serve and uplift a community in the heart of Tahoe!

🎧 Available now wherever you get your podcasts!

Ep. 56 - Bryan Allegretto - OpenSnow

Welcome back to the Tahoe TAP! Join hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway as they bring you the latest Things, Adventure, and People from around the Tahoe region. This week, we’re diving into the world of snow forecasting with none other than Bryan Allegretto—California Snow Forecaster and part owner of OpenSnow, aka Tahoe’s snow bible.

Bryan, also known as B.A., is a rockstar in the mountain weather community, trusted by skiers and riders across the globe. From his roots in South Jersey chasing storms for surf and snow to becoming a go-to expert with over two decades of forecasting experience, Bryan shares his journey, tools of the trade, and a few of his personal insights on where to ski.

Tune in for a fresh round of Tahoe news and an inside look at how the magic of accurate snow forecasting keeps powder chasers on their toes. This is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Ep. 55 - Nettie Pardue - Tahoe Destination Stewardship Council

Welcome back to the Tahoe TAP! Your hosts, Mike Peron and Rob Galloway, are here to deliver another episode packed with Things, Adventure, and People—all rooted in the Tahoe region.

This week, we kick things off with a quick roundup of top news from around Lake Tahoe. Then, we dive into an inspiring conversation with Nettie Pardue, Managing Director of the Tahoe Destination Stewardship Council. Nettie shares how her team is bringing the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan to life, enhancing the balance between thriving tourism, vibrant communities, and environmental sustainability.

As a Meyers local with 25+ years in outdoor recreation and nonprofit leadership—including her tenure with Outward Bound California—Nettie offers valuable insights into collaboration, stewardship, and protecting the natural resources we all cherish.

Tune in for an engaging and informative chat that highlights the future of Tahoe’s tourism and outdoor recreation economy!

Ep. 54 - Shaydar Edelmann - Heavenly Mountain Resort

Welcome back to the Tahoe TAP! Mike Peron and Rob Galloway here, your go-to guides for all things Tahoe—where we dive into Things, Adventure, and People that make this place one-of-a-kind.

As always, we’ll kick things off with a quick roundup of the top news from around the Tahoe region. Then, we shift gears and dive into an engaging conversation with today’s guest—Shaydar Edelmann, the Vice President and General Manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort.

With 25 years of experience in the snow sports industry, Shaydar joins Heavenly from Park City Mountain, where he served as VP of Mountain Operations for four years. He was previously GM for the construction and grand opening of Woodward Park City and spent six years at Alpine Meadows followed by a decade at Boreal, Soda Springs, and Woodward Tahoe. Shaydar managed the construction of Woodward Tahoe and won the NSAA Golden Eagle Award for Sustainability in 2016.

Shaydar enjoys spending time on the slopes on skis or a board and loves the ocean as much as the mountains! Having grown up in Kaikoura, New Zealand, he was a member of the New Zealand Junior Surf Team and still manages to catch a wave or two in his free time. Shaydar has moved to Genoa with his wife Kelly and takes advantage of the summer months to golf, mountain bike, and travel so he can catch as many waves as possible.

Ep. 53 - Andy Chapman - Travel North Tahoe Nevada

Welcome back to the Tahoe TAP! Your hosts, Mike Peron and Rob Galloway, are here with another episode packed full of Things, Adventure, and People — all centered around our beloved Lake Tahoe.

We kick things off with a quick roundup of the latest Tahoe region news, keeping it local as always. Then, we dive into an engaging conversation with this week’s guest, Andy Chapman, President/CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV).

Andy has called Tahoe home for nearly 30 years and brings over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry. As a key player in regional stewardship and visitor management, he serves on multiple boards, including the Tahoe Transportation District, Lake Tahoe Stewardship Council, Reno Sparks Visitor and Convention Bureau and Washoe Tahoe Housing Partnership.

Beyond his professional contributions, Andy is a true Tahoe enthusiast — whether he’s skiing, hiking, disc golfing, or exploring the lake itself. Listen in as we explore Andy's journey, the work of TNTNV, and his passion for keeping Tahoe a world-class destination while protecting its natural beauty.

Ep. 52 - Anthony Cupaiuolo - Tahoe Backcountry Alliance

Welcome back to Tahoe TAP, your go-to podcast for all Things, Adventure & People in Lake Tahoe! Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back with another fresh episode, packed with the latest news from around the Tahoe region and an inspiring deep dive into the Tahoe backcountry community.

This week, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Anthony Cupaiuolo, Executive Director of the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance. Anthony is a long-time South Tahoe local, seasoned splitboarder, and passionate advocate for human-powered winter recreation. As the voice for backcountry enthusiasts, he leads the charge on key issues affecting winter access and preservation in the Lake Tahoe area.

Beyond his work with Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, Anthony is also a talented photographer and filmmaker with First Tracks Productions. His projects often focus on public land stewardship and have supported organizations like the National Forest Foundation, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, and Tahoe Rim Trail Association.

Tune in to hear Anthony’s insights on advocacy, his love for the backcountry, and—of course—a little bit about his trail-famous pup, Emmie.