FWSA Awards

This award is named posthumously for two pioneers in the Association’s Public Affairs program, Bob Jordan and John Reily.

Bob Jordan, a Guadalcanal veteran, trained as a journalist and was employed for many years in the forest products industry. Bob became FWSA’s first paid Director of Public Affairs in 1975 and stayed on for nearly three years before returning to industry. His professional skills greatly enhanced the sophistication of the Association’s activities and formed a foundation that has lasted to this day.

In the mid-50s, John Reily, treasurer for the Carnation Company and chairman of the LA Chamber of Commerce, built a cabin in Squaw Valley.

Two years later, John acquired Southern Pacific’s land at the top of Squaw’s KT-22 lift and built a day lodge called the “Cornice.” From this vantage point, John saw the potential for a new ski area, Alpine Meadows, and became its founder and developer.

John was a strong advocate for integrating environmental, financial, and skier demand into area development plans.