Tahoe TAP

Ep. 87 - Carol Chaplin - Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

The Tahoe TAP podcast returns with another conversation exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping life around Lake Tahoe. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back behind the mic with the latest stories from the basin before sitting down with one of the region's most influential leaders.

This episode features Carol Chaplin, President and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority (Visit Lake Tahoe), whose leadership has helped shape South Shore's tourism industry for nearly two decades. From the launch of destination marketing initiatives like the "Awe and Then Some" campaign to navigating wildfire recovery, the COVID-19 pandemic, and changing travel trends, Chaplin has played a central role in positioning Lake Tahoe as one of the world's premier outdoor recreation destinations.

With more than 35 years in the Tahoe tourism industry, Chaplin's influence extends well beyond destination marketing. She has served in leadership roles with numerous regional organizations, including the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, Tahoe Chamber, Tahoe Prosperity Center, the Western Nevada Development District, the Regional Air Service Corporation, and the South Shore Transportation Management Association. She also serves on the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Council, working alongside public agencies, nonprofits, and private industry to strengthen the region's economy while protecting the lake's natural resources and quality of life.

Chaplin was also a driving force behind the development of the Tahoe Blue Event Center, a transformative project that has expanded South Lake Tahoe's ability to attract year-round events, entertainment, and sports tourism while creating new economic opportunities for the community.

On this episode of Tahoe TAP, the conversation explores the evolution of Tahoe's visitor economy, the importance of destination stewardship, the impact of the Tahoe Blue Event Center, and what's next for tourism in one of America's most iconic mountain destinations.

Tune in for an insightful conversation with one of the visionary leaders who has helped shape Tahoe's past, present, and future.

Ep. 86 - Joe Pavelski - NHL Superstar + Tahoe Celebrity Golf

Tahoe TAP Podcast — Joe Pavelski: From NHL Greatness to ACC Champion

The Tahoe TAP podcast returns with another conversation highlighting the people, stories, and moments that make Lake Tahoe such a special place. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway sit down with one of the most accomplished athletes to ever compete in the American Century Championship — and one of the most respected figures in professional sports.

This episode features Joe Pavelski, the reigning American Century Championship winner, whose dramatic victory at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course instantly became one of the tournament's most memorable moments. After several close calls, including a runner-up finish in 2024, Pavelski captured the 2025 title in spectacular fashion, sinking a walk-off eagle putt on the 18th hole to secure the championship.

While Tahoe fans have come to know him for his elite golf game, Pavelski's legacy was built on the ice. Over an 18-year NHL career with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars, he played more than 1,300 games, scored nearly 500 goals, and established himself as one of the greatest American-born players in hockey history. Nicknamed "Captain America," he served as captain of both the Sharks and Team USA, earned four NHL All-Star selections, and holds the NHL record for the most playoff goals scored by an American-born player with 74.

In this episode, Pavelski reflects on his remarkable hockey career, the transition from professional athlete to championship golfer, and his growing connection to Lake Tahoe through one of the region's most celebrated sporting events. Listeners will also get to know the person behind the accolades — a fierce competitor, respected leader, and all-around great ambassador for the game.

Ep. 85 - Darcie Goodman Collins - Keep Tahoe Blue

The Tahoe TAP podcast returns with another conversation spotlighting the Things, Adventures, and People that make life around Lake Tahoe so special. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back behind the mic, sharing fresh stories and local voices from around the basin before diving into a conversation with one of Tahoe’s most recognizable environmental leaders.

In this episode, Tahoe TAP welcomes Darcie Goodman Collins, PhD, CEO of Keep Tahoe Blue, the nonprofit organization at the forefront of protecting and restoring the clarity, beauty, and environmental health of Lake Tahoe.

Born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, Goodman Collins brings a rare blend of scientific expertise, local roots, and policy experience to one of the region’s most important missions: preserving the lake for future generations. She earned her doctorate in environmental science from UC Santa Barbara and has become one of Tahoe’s strongest and most visible advocates for conservation, representing the region from neighborhood initiatives to policy discussions in Washington, D.C.

Her connection to Keep Tahoe Blue runs deep. Goodman Collins first joined the organization as a summer intern in 1996 and, just a year later, represented Tahoe youth at the inaugural Tahoe Presidential Summit. After years of environmental leadership and advocacy, she officially joined the organization’s staff in 2012 and has since helped guide major efforts focused on lake clarity, sustainable recreation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Beyond her work in conservation, Goodman Collins is also an avid outdoor enthusiast who embraces the Tahoe lifestyle year-round — running marathons, ski touring, and even swimming in Lake Tahoe during the colder months.

In this episode, the conversation explores the challenges facing the lake today, what progress is being made to protect Tahoe’s future, and how residents and visitors alike can play a role in keeping Tahoe blue.

Tune in for an insightful conversation with one of the strongest voices working to protect the place we all love.

Ep. 84 - Teresa Crimmens - Sierra Community House

The Tahoe TAP podcast returns with another conversation centered on the Things, Adventures, and People that shape life in the Sierra. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back behind the mic, highlighting the stories, leaders, and organizations working to strengthen the Tahoe-Truckee community.

In this episode, the spotlight turns to Teresa Crimmens, Executive Director of Sierra Community House, a nonprofit serving the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee region through programs focused on hunger relief, victim support services, legal assistance, and violence prevention education. Teresa brings more than a decade of experience with the organization and its legacy agencies, originally starting at the Family Resource Center of Truckee and eventually serving as Executive Director there before helping lead the transition into what is now Sierra Community House.

As demand for community services continues to grow across the region, Sierra Community House has become one of the area’s most vital nonprofit organizations — helping individuals and families navigate challenges ranging from food insecurity to crisis intervention and access to critical resources. Under Crimmens’ leadership, the organization continues to expand its reach while strengthening partnerships throughout the Tahoe-Truckee community.

In the conversation, Crimmens discusses the evolving needs of mountain communities, the realities facing working families in the region, and how community engagement and prevention-based education are helping create long-term resilience. The episode also explores the organization’s broader mission of ensuring Tahoe remains not only a world-class destination, but also a supportive and connected place for the people who call it home.

Ep. 83 - Sarah Schmidt - Tahoe Prosperity Center

The Tahoe TAP podcast returns with its ongoing focus on the Things, Adventures, and People shaping life in the Sierra. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back behind the mic, delivering the latest stories and perspectives from across the Tahoe Basin — and this week’s episode zeroes in on the region’s economic future.

At a pivotal moment for the organization, the show features Sarah Schmidt, Executive Director of the Tahoe Prosperity Center, as she approaches her one-year anniversary in the role. Schmidt is also preparing to lead the organization’s flagship event, the Tahoe Economic Summit, for the first time on May 7.

Sarah Schmidt brings over 20 years of experience in sustainable community development, having led programs around the world to advance economic resilience, environmental stewardship, and inclusive growth. She has managed multimillion-dollar initiatives for USAID and other global partners, with a focus on workforce development, climate adaptation, and regional planning.

A skilled facilitator and systems thinker, Sarah is known for aligning diverse stakeholders and helping communities turn strategy into action. Now based in South Lake Tahoe, she brings that global perspective home to support local prosperity.

Sarah lives in South Lake Tahoe with her husband, two children, and two cats. She enjoys biking, swimming in the lake, and supporting the local businesses that make Tahoe so unique

Ep. 82 - John Stark - City of South Lake Tahoe Parks & Rec Director

Tahoe TAP Podcast — A New Era for Recreation in South Lake Tahoe with John Stark

The Tahoe TAP podcast returns with its ongoing focus on the Things, Adventures, and People that define life in the Sierra. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back, highlighting the latest stories and developments shaping the Tahoe community — and this week’s episode arrives at a pivotal moment for South Lake Tahoe residents.

With the grand opening of the city’s new recreation facility set for this Saturday, the show features John Stark, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of South Lake Tahoe. Stark has been at the forefront of one of the region’s most significant recent investments: the development of the South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center, a project aimed at serving residents of all ages while strengthening community wellness and connection.

Since stepping into the role in May 2023, Stark has guided the department through a period of transformation, bringing both strategic leadership and hands-on experience to the effort. Prior to his work in Tahoe, he served as Director of Parks and Recreation in Manitou Springs, and held key roles with the City of Colorado Springs, including overseeing the renowned Garden of the Gods Park — a 1,300-acre National Natural Landmark known for its striking geology and high visitation.

Stark’s background also includes time as a park ranger in some of the country’s most iconic landscapes, including Denali National Park, Redwood National Park, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park, giving him a deep understanding of how to balance recreation access with environmental stewardship. A California native with longstanding ties to the Tahoe Basin, he also brings an academic background in environmental and natural resources law to his role.

In this episode, Tahoe TAP explores the vision behind the new recreation and aquatics center, the impact it’s expected to have on the community, and how thoughtful planning is shaping the future of public spaces in South Lake Tahoe.

Ep. 81 - Michelle Aguilar-Ficara - Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival

The Tahoe TAP podcast returns with another look at the Things, Adventures, and People powering life in the Sierra. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back behind the mic, catching listeners up on what’s happening around the basin before turning their attention to one of the region’s most compelling cultural events of the spring.

In this episode, the spotlight is on Michelle Aguilar-Ficara, Executive Director of the Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival, returning April 17–19 at Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe. Now in its latest iteration, the festival continues to carve out a unique space in Tahoe’s event calendar — blending adventure, storytelling, and global perspective through a curated lineup of documentary films designed to inform and inspire.

Aguilar-Ficara has spent more than a decade immersed in non-fiction filmmaking, producing stories from diverse cultures and communities around the world. Her work is rooted in the belief that documentary storytelling can build meaningful connections, bridge cultural divides, and spark deeper understanding. That same philosophy drives the mission of the festival, which aims to entertain, enlighten, and engage audiences through powerful real-world narratives.

As a nonprofit initiative, the festival reflects a growing appetite in the Tahoe region for cultural programming that complements its outdoor identity. By bringing globally relevant stories to a local stage, Aguilar-Ficara and her team are helping position Lake Tahoe as not just a destination for recreation, but as a hub for creative exchange and thoughtful dialogue.

On this episode of Tahoe TAP, the conversation explores the evolution of the festival, the role of documentary film in today’s media landscape, and what attendees can expect from this year’s event.

Ep. 80 - Daron Rahlves - Rahlves Banzai Tour @ Palisades Tahoe

The Tahoe TAP podcast is back after a brief hiatus, once again tapping into the Things, Adventures, and People that fuel life in the Sierra. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway return behind the microphones to reconnect with listeners and share the stories shaping the Tahoe community.

For their return episode, the show welcomes a familiar face and one of the most decorated American alpine skiers of all time: Daron Rahlves.

Over the course of his career on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit, Rahlves captured 12 World Cup victories and 28 podium finishes, specializing in the sport’s fastest disciplines — downhill and super-G. He also represented the United States as a three-time Olympian, competing at the 1998 Winter Olympics, 2002 Winter Olympics, and 2006 Winter Olympics.

But this episode focuses less on the past and more on what’s happening now: the return of the Rahlves Banzai Tour, making its long-awaited comeback to Tahoe after a decade-long hiatus. Scheduled for April 10–12 at Palisades Tahoe, the event blends big-mountain freeride terrain with the head-to-head intensity of ski and snowboard cross — creating one of the most adrenaline-fueled competitions in the sport.

Born in Walnut Creek and raised in the mountains around Lake Tahoe, Rahlves grew up skiing the Sierra before becoming one of the fastest American downhill racers in history. One of the defining moments of his career came at the legendary Birds of Prey downhill in Beaver Creek Resort, where he conquered the demanding course three consecutive years, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s premier speed specialists.

In 2001, Rahlves captured the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Super-G title, a victory that further established him among the world’s elite racers. His accomplishments later earned him induction into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010.

Beyond alpine racing, Rahlves has always embraced life as a multi-sport athlete — winning a World Expert Championship in jet skiing in 1993, competing in extreme skiing events and motocross, and building a long-standing partnership with Red Bull.

On this episode of Tahoe TAP, Rahlves joins the hosts to talk about his legendary racing career, the inspiration behind the Banzai Tour, and why bringing the event back to Tahoe feels like the perfect homecoming for a sport rooted in the region’s big-mountain culture.

Ep. 79 - Bryan Allegretto - OpenSnow

The Tahoe TAP podcast returns with another look into the Things, Adventures, and People fueling life in the Sierra. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back to break down the latest buzz around Tahoe — and with winter anticipation building, this episode couldn’t be more timely.

This week, the show welcomes back one of its rare two-time guests: Bryan Allegretto, better known across the region simply as B.A. A part-owner of OpenSnow and the platform’s trusted California Snow Forecaster, Allegretto is widely regarded as the leading voice in Sierra weather. For many residents and winter visitors, OpenSnow functions as Tahoe’s “snow bible,” making him a key figure as locals begin to wonder whether Mother Nature plans to deliver this season.

Allegretto’s path to becoming one of the most relied-upon snow forecasters in the West is as compelling as the storms he tracks. Originally from South Jersey, he grew up surfing, snowboarding, and chasing the same weather patterns that would later define his career. With more than two decades of experience translating complex meteorological data into clear, actionable forecasts, he has earned a reputation for accuracy, accessibility, and an unmatched passion for powder.

In this episode, Tahoe TAP dives into how B.A. got his start, the tools and models he uses to predict snowfall across the Sierra, and what early indicators are saying about the upcoming winter. Listeners may even get a few of his wildest weather stories — the kind only a lifelong storm-chaser can tell.

Ep. 78 - Amy Ohran - Palisades Tahoe

The Tahoe TAP podcast is back, tapping into the Things, Adventures, and People fueling life in the Sierra Nevada. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway return to the studio to share stories and voices from around the basin, catching listeners up on what’s happening across the Tahoe region.

In this episode, they sit down with Amy Ohran, President & Chief Operating Officer of Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley — one of the most storied ski resorts in the United States. The conversation explores both her personal journey in the industry and the evolving legacy of Palisades Tahoe itself.

Ohran joined Palisades Tahoe in September 2024, bringing nearly 35 years of experience in the snow sports industry, much of it rooted in the Tahoe and Western mountain communities. Before stepping into her current role, she served as Vice President & General Manager of Northstar California, and spent two decades with POWDR, including two years as VP & GM of Woodward Mountain Centers and eight years as President & GM of Boreal Ridge Corp.

Her career also includes 16 years at Mt. Bachelor, where she held multiple leadership positions such as Director of Staff & Skier Services and Director of Ski & Ride School — experience that helped shape her reputation as a thoughtful, people-centered mountain operator.

Beyond resort leadership, Ohran is deeply involved in the broader ski industry and the Tahoe community. She serves on the boards of the National Ski Areas Association, Tahoe Fund, and North Tahoe Community Alliance, and has been a member of the Ski California Board Executive Committee since 2018, including a term as Chair from 2019–2020.

In this episode, Tahoe TAP takes listeners inside the decision-making, collaboration, and vision required to lead one of the country’s most iconic mountain destinations — and what that means for the future of winter sports, local communities, and the Tahoe region at large.