Tahoe TAP

Ep. 77 - Dan Healy - Sierra-at-Tahoe

The Tahoe TAP podcast is back, offering listeners their inside look at the Things, Adventures, and People that keep Tahoe’s mountain spirit alive. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway return behind the mics to share the latest stories and voices shaping life around the lake — and with ski season on the horizon, the timing couldn’t be better for their latest guest.

In this episode, the duo sits down with Dan Healy, a seasoned ski industry leader and the newly appointed Vice President and General Manager of Sierra-at-Tahoe, as the resort gears up for its November 28th opening.

Healy’s mountain story runs deep — spanning three decades in snow sports and resort operations. His career has taken him from directing children’s programs at world-class destinations like Beaver Creek and Crested Butte, to managing ski school operations at Sugar Bowl, and later, serving as Vice President of Recreational Services at Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah.

Notably, Healy’s connection to Sierra-at-Tahoe goes way back — he previously served as the resort’s Director of Snowsports, making his return to the mountain a true full-circle moment.

Now leading Sierra into a new chapter, Healy brings with him a wealth of operational experience and a passion for nurturing both the guest and employee experience. On this episode, the conversation covers everything from resort recovery and community spirit to the innovations shaping the coming winter season.

Ep. 76 - Jackie Calvert - Visit Truckee Tahoe

This week, the spotlight shines on Jackie Calvert, Executive Director of Visit Truckee-Tahoe, who’s helping guide the town’s vision for sustainable tourism while preserving the authentic mountain charm that makes Truckee special.

Calvert, a longtime Truckee local and proud Sierra Nevada College graduate with a degree in Ski Business & Resort Management, brings a rare mix of resort expertise and community-first leadership to the role. Before stepping into her current position in 2024, she spent more than a decade at Palisades Tahoe, where she helped lead digital and destination marketing strategies that cut vehicle traffic and boosted carpool, rideshare, and park-and-ride participation — proving that smart tourism can also be sustainable.

Under her direction, Visit Truckee-Tahoe continues to champion a balanced approach to growth — supporting local businesses and residents while maintaining the natural beauty and small-town feel that define the region.

In this episode, Mike and Rob sit down with Jackie to explore how visitor strategies are evolving across mountain destinations, what it takes to maintain a healthy balance between tourism and community life, and what’s next for Truckee-Tahoe as it navigates the challenges of growth, stewardship, and sustainability in the Sierra.

Ep. 75 - Steve Teshara - Sustainable Community Advocates

Welcome back to Tahoe TAP - the podcast spotlighting the Things, Adventure, and People that make life in this blue-and-green paradise so extraordinary. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back with another episode packed with local insight, regional updates, and a conversation you won’t want to miss.

After catching listeners up on what’s unfolding around the lake, the duo welcomes a guest who’s practically woven into the fabric of Tahoe itself:

Steve Teshara — advocate, strategist, and one of the most deeply respected leaders in the basin.

If there’s a saying about someone “being around the block,” Steve’s been around the entire lake a few times. Since moving to Tahoe in 1973, he’s played a leading role in nearly every major regional initiative—from economic development to transportation, forest health, watershed restoration, and policy advocacy.

Today, he serves as Principal of Sustainable Community Advocates, the consulting firm he founded in 2010. But Tahoe residents will recognize his name from a long list of leadership roles, including:

• CEO / Executive Director of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association
• Executive Director roles with the Tahoe Chamber, Tahoe Sierra Preservation Council, and South Tahoe Gaming Alliance
• Key member of “Team Tahoe” in Washington D.C., helping secure federal appropriations for the region year after year

Known for his ability to “connect the dots," Steve has a rare talent for bringing governments, nonprofits, and private partners together to solve complex regional challenges.

In today’s episode, the focus turns to two critical topics shaping Tahoe’s future: transportation solutions and Eastern Placer development planning — and Steve knows these like the back of his hand.

Ep. 74 - Briana Vallejo - Vista Rise Collective

Vista Rise Collective Joins Tahoe TAP to Discuss Rebrand, Advocacy & Community Impact

The Tahoe TAP podcast — hosted by longtime locals and media personalities Mike Peron and Rob Galloway — returns with an intriguing new episode featuring Briana Vallejo of Vista Rise Collective, formerly known as Live Violence Free.

After kicking off the show with a quick rundown of the latest Lake Tahoe happenings, the hosts welcomed Vallejo to talk about the organization’s recent rebrand and ongoing mission to provide support, resources, and prevention programs for survivors of domestic and relational violence.

Vallejo’s connection to the work runs deep. She first joined the organization in 2016 as an Alpine Advocate while finishing her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno — all while holding the title of Miss Lake Tahoe in the Miss America Organization. Just months earlier, she was named 1st Runner-Up to Miss Nevada 2016.

After nearly eight years serving the Alpine County satellite office, Vallejo transitioned to the South Lake Tahoe headquarters as Community Relations Coordinator. Today, she is a driving force behind Vista Rise Collective’s outreach, education, and partnerships across the region.

A survivor herself, Vallejo has used her story to spark change nationwide. Her TEDx Talk, “Preventing Teen Dating Violence from the Inside Out,” propelled her onto stages across the country as a sought-after keynote speaker. Outside of her advocacy work, she resides in Bear Valley with her husband — a local Fire Captain — and their two children, ages 4 and nearly 2.

Listeners can tune in to hear more about Vista Rise Collective’s expanded vision, upcoming community events, and how locals can get involved in supporting their mission.

Ep. 73 - Rob Giustina - On Course Events & Tahoe Games

Welcome back to Tahoe TAP — where Things, Adventure, and People come together to showcase life in the Jewel of the Sierra. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back behind the mic, kicking things off with the latest happenings and fresh stories making waves across the basin.

Then, we dive into a feature that’s been decades in the making: Tahoe Games. This mountain sports festival was dreamed up and brought to life by today’s guest, Rob Giustina, founder of On Course Events.

As the creative force behind one of Tahoe’s most influential event production companies, Rob has shaped the cultural and entertainment landscape of the region. From music and arts festivals to outdoor gatherings and community-driven experiences, his work has become a cornerstone of Tahoe’s lifestyle—blending mountain-town energy with world-class production.

With a passion for connecting people through creativity and experience, Rob continues to push boundaries and elevate Tahoe as not just a destination, but a thriving hub of culture, community, and adventure.

Tune in as we explore the origins of Tahoe Games, the evolution of On Course Events, and how one producer’s vision helped transform Lake Tahoe’s event scene into something unforgettable.

Ep. 72 - Michael Myers - Sierra State Parks Foundation

Welcome back to the Tahoe TAP — the podcast where Things, Adventure, and People shine around the Jewel of the Sierra! Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back on the mic with another dynamic episode, this time spotlighting one of the region’s leading voices in conservation and community engagement.

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Myers, Executive Director of the Sierra State Parks Foundation, an organization that has been championing educational programs and vital projects across the Donner and Lake Tahoe regions for over 50 years. Myers brings a deep background in nonprofit leadership and a passion for protecting public lands. Before joining the Foundation, he served as Executive Director for Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy in Virginia and spent over a decade with Friends of Black Rock-High Rock in Nevada, moving from an AmeriCorps role into executive leadership.

An interpretive naturalist and avid birder, Myers blends fundraising expertise with a true love of the outdoors, making him an ideal steward for Tahoe–Truckee’s treasured state parks. Beyond his professional work, he enjoys exploring the Tahoe and Donner landscapes with his wife and daughter, diving into the area’s flora, fauna, and cultural history. And when the family isn’t adventuring, they’re at home enjoying the company of their two cats, Wayne and Garth.

Tune in as we talk with Michael about the importance of connecting people to nature, the projects shaping Tahoe’s future, and the joy of discovering the wild beauty that makes this place so special.

Ep. 71 - Cristi Creegan - Tahoe Chamber

Welcome back to the Tahoe TAP — the show where Things, Adventure, and People come to life! Your hosts, Mike Peron and Rob Galloway, are back on the mic with another episode full of Tahoe flavor.

We’re pumped you’re tuning in! We’ll start things off with a rundown of what’s buzzing around the basin, then dive into a great convo with Cristi Creegan, CEO of the Tahoe Chamber — a powerhouse organization championing, connecting, and elevating the South Shore business community.

Cristi took over as Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce in June 2024, and she’s excited to ensure that the Tahoe Chamber continues to be the voice of business and a champion for our community. Before coming to the Chamber, Cristi was a council member at the City of South Lake Tahoe, elected in 2020, and served as the mayor in 2023.

She brings extensive experience in nonprofit management and organizational leadership, having served at the California Rangeland Trust and the Sierra Nevada Alliance, plus on the boards of Live Violence Free, the Tahoe Heritage Foundation, and Tahoe Parents Nursery School. A graduate of UC Berkeley with a BA in English, Cristi also holds a JD with a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College.

A 28-year resident of South Lake Tahoe, Cristi lives with her husband, Bernard, and their two daughters. She loves swimming in the lake, reading novels, and celebrating the connections that make the South Shore such a great place to live.

Ep. 70 - Jessica Penman - Truckee Chamber of Commerce

The latest episode of the Tahoe TAP podcast puts a spotlight on Truckee’s business landscape with a special guest who’s helping shape it — Jessica Penman, President and CEO of the Truckee Chamber of Commerce.

Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway kick off the episode with their signature roundup of regional happenings before diving into a fireside-style conversation with Penman, who took the helm of the Chamber in October 2022. Since stepping into the leadership role, Penman has worked to amplify the voice of Truckee's business community while promoting economic development and community engagement.

During the interview, Penman shares her journey from growing up visiting Truckee on weekends and holidays to now calling it her permanent home. She brings a diverse background to the role, having previously served as Director of Community Relations for the Yountville Chamber of Commerce in Napa County. With extensive experience in marketing, sales, membership relations, and workforce development, she brings a forward-thinking approach to supporting local businesses.

Penman also discusses her academic roots — holding a BA in Anthropology and Classical Civilizations from the University of Arizona and an MA in Egyptian Archaeology from University College London — and how her global experiences in Italy, Egypt, and England have shaped her community-first philosophy.

Outside the office, Penman is an avid hiker and paddleboarder, often exploring the Sierra Nevada with her boyfriend and their puppy, Auggie.

Listeners can tune into the full episode of Tahoe TAP to hear Penman's thoughts on community building, chamber initiatives, and what excites her most about Truckee’s future.

The Tahoe TAP podcast, hosted by Peron and Galloway, continues to explore the people, adventures, and culture that define life around Lake Tahoe.

Ep. 69 - Brian Baumgartner - Celebrity Golf Tahoe (American Century Championship)

Welcome back to the Tahoe TAP — your go-to source for all Things, Adventure, and People in and around Lake Tahoe! Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back on the mic, ready to serve up another round of fresh stories from the region. We’ll start with a look at what’s buzzing around the basin, then tee up a fun conversation with celebrity guest Brian Baumgartner as we turn the spotlight to the 2025 American Century Championship.

Brian Baumgartner is best known for his role as Kevin Malone on the NBC sitcom The Office and its related spin-off webisodes, which earned him two Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Daytime Emmy Awards. Baumgartner had starring roles in Into Temptation, Ordinary World, and Electric Jesus
He’s an 18 time competitor at Lake Tahoe’s celebrity golf tournament held annually at Edgewood Tahoe. A fan favorite among the crowd, he happily describes ACC as both his “favorite and hardest week of the year,” calling it non-negotiable on his calendar.

Ep. 68 - Meg Peart - Valhalla Tahoe

You’re tuned in to the Tahoe TAP — where Things, Adventure, and People around the lake take center stage! Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back behind the mic to deliver another dose of fresh Tahoe stories straight to your ears. We’ll kick things off with a roundup of what’s making waves around the region, and then dive into a conversation with someone who’s making a big impact right here in our backyard: Meg Peart!
Meg Peart is the Executive Director of Valhalla Tahoe, where she combines her love of the arts with a strong foundation in nonprofit management. A longtime South Lake Tahoe resident, Meg brings both local insight and professional experience to her role—producing concerts, theatre, and community events while leading preservation efforts at the historic Heller Estate.
Prior to joining Valhalla, she managed human resources and grant administration at the Tahoe Resource Conservation District.
Meg is passionate about building community through culture and keeping Tahoe’s heritage alive through storytelling, performance, and meaningful connection.