Boulder, Colo. — In her first major move since being named VP, publishing for Bonnier's mountain titles, Merri Lee Kingsly has selected two longtime ski-industry insiders to lead her team. Ben Rifkin, an accomplished skier with business experience in resorts, tourism and media, has been named associate publisher of SKI, Skiing and SNOW, and Johnny Alamo, with more than 10 years selling the sport since ending his competitive skiing career, has been promoted to the newly created position of executive director of sponsorships for Warren Miller Entertainment and NASTAR.

"The same names kept popping up time and time again for their dedication and reputation, not only in the industry but internally as loyal, strategic and creative thinkers … the kinds of things incredible leaders are made of," said Kingsly. "Both Ben and Johnny will set the tone as we better serve the needs of our partners in the ski industry."

Rifkin, a member of the alpine ski team at Dartmouth College, began his career with the magazines as editor of SkiNet.com. He then pursued an opportunity in the marketing and communications department at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Rifkin returned to the Mountain Group in 2005 as digital sales associate, where he led the web business to one of the most lucrative years ever. He continued to work his way to the top, holding positions as northeast account manager, digital sales manager and, most recently, digital director.

Alamo has been pushing entrepreneur initiatives his whole life in the industry, beginning with founding his college's freestyle ski team at the University of Denver. He followed that up with launching an athlete management company representing skiers and selling sponsorships for the U.S. Ski Association, Rocky Mountain division. After a successful competitive skiing career, Alamo started at Warren Miller managing sponsorships in 2001. Just last year, he became the director of sponsorships.

In his new role, Alamo will develop integrated sponsorship programs, overseeing all sponsorship sales, film inclusions and strategic alliances for Warren Miller Films (U.S. and Canada) as well as developing new growth initiatives such as television shows, a winter resort film tour and a Warren Miller film school. In addition, he will oversee sponsorship sales and execution for NASTAR, the largest recreational ski and snowboard race program in the world.

Bonnier Corp. (www.bonniercorp.com) is one of the largest consumer-publishing groups in America and is the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences, through 50 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events. Bonnier Corp. is the U.S. division of the Bonnier Group (www.bonnier.com), a 200-year-old, family-owned media group based in Sweden with business operations in 25 countries.