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Tramway Surpasses 20-Millionth Rider
Milestone Reached in Iconic Attraction’s 54-Year History
PALM SPRINGS, CA (July 21, 2017) Four friends visiting Palm Springs from the Northeast were more than just the last patrons to enter the Tramway’s Valley Station at 7:58 p.m. on July 20th; Robbie Zweig, Brandon Mercier, Michael Landau and Abby Slywka—collectively—also became the 20-millionth riders of this iconic Palm Springs attraction.
When learning of their surprise distinction—other than asking if they were on a TV prank show—explained that they decided to extend their trip by a day just so they could all have dinner together at the Tramway.
“I’ve never been the twenty-millionth anything,” joked Mercier. “It must be the dry heat that made us lucky,” added Landau. While enjoying his first-ever ride on the Tramway, Zweig could only say, “Breathtaking.” Summing up their excitement, Slywka said, “I travel a lot for work, but now try to see things on my trips, like the Tram. I am so happy I changed my flight until tomorrow. What a fun night!”
According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “I remember our 10-millionth rider back in 1994. It took us 31 years to hit that mark, but only 23 years to reach our 20-millionth.”
To commemorate the occasion, the friends received a gift bag worth over $150 and were the Tramway’s guests.
Adds Nichols, “The clock now starts ticking on us reaching our 30-millionth rider. I suspect it will take even less time to reach that milestone.”
NEW TRAMWAY GENERAL MANAGER NAMED
Nancy Nichols Assumes Post After 30-Year Tram Tenure
PALM SPRINGS, CA (June 23, 2017) At the June 21 meeting of the Mt. San Jacinto Winter Park Authority—the governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—Vice President of Sales & Marketing Nancy Nichols was named the Tram’s new general manager following the retirement of current general manager, Rob Parkins.
According to Authority Chairman Jerry Ogburn, “Nancy was not only the logical choice, but we are indeed fortunate to have someone with such a deep institutional understanding of the Tramway. After 30 years, she knows every aspect of the operation. She was also strongly supported and recommended by Rob Parkins for the general manager position and enjoys the consensus support of Tram staff and Authority members as well.”
Born to a military family, Nichols was raised in Southern California, originally working in the insurance industry. “When I joined the Tramway,” says Nichols, “I could have never imagined that I would work in all the various positions I have and—three decades later—that I would be named general manager.
“This is definitely an exciting time to be at the Tram. The strategic planning by both our board and staff during the past few years will soon be visible to our patrons.
“As vice president of sales and marketing and, now, general manager, I remain committed to this iconic attraction’s continued success.”
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY GENERAL MANAGER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
17-Year Tenure by Rob Parkins Ends June 30
PALM SPRINGS, CA (June 21, 2017) After 17 years at the helm of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, General Manager Rob Parkins has announced his retirement effective June 30.
According to Jerry Ogburn, chair of the Mt. San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, the Tramway’s governing body, “Rob’s contributions to the Tramway over the past 17 years are too numerous to mention, but the framework he created is what got us to where we are today. Under Rob’s leadership, annual ridership went from approximately 400,000 to over 600,000, as we end our current fiscal year. He has assembled a solid team, who I know will continue the great culture he created. On behalf of the entire board, I would like to extend our collective thanks for the extraordinary job he performed and wish him the best in retirement.”
Prior to joining the Tram, Parkins served as city manager for the City of Palm Springs and, previously, in the same capacity for the City of Miami Beach, Florida.
In an email to Tram staff last week, Parkins thanked his team for their support and dedication through these many years, adding that he will miss the wonderful sense of family at the Tramway.
Adds Tramway Executive Vice President Jim Whitmore, “And we will all miss Rob. On behalf of the Tram staff, I want him to know how much we appreciate his wise stewardship, counsel and friendship.”
Named new general manager is 30-year Tramway veteran, Nancy Nichols, current vice president of sales and marketing. “I am very honored to be entrusted with this position, but will miss Rob greatly,” says Nichols.
