About Mammoth Lakes Tourism Staff
Get to know the people behind the Visit Mammoth brand.
The Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) staff works hard to strike a balance between bringing visitors to town and educating guests on how to take care of this beautiful place we call home. MLT initiatives ladder up to the goal of closing gaps in visitation during need-times (shoulder season and midweek visitation) in Mammoth Lakes. By filling need-times, MLT helps to ensure business owners and staff can rely on year-round income. Success in these endeavors is quantified by striving to reach 12 months of TOT viability — defined by the MLT Board of Directors as $1M or more of TOT revenue each month of the year. In addition to driving visitation during need-times, MLT helps to educate visitors while they are in Mammoth Lakes.
Meet the MLT Staff
MLT has an open-door policy. If you have questions about any of MLT’s work, please stop at any time to meet with staff members. Our address is 2520 Main Street, next door to the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. You can also reach us at 760-934-2712 or by emailing the general office email info@visitmammoth.com.
Learn more about the expertise MLT staff members bring below, or visit the contact us page for detailed contact information for individual staff members.
John Urdi, Executive Director
John moved to Mammoth Lakes in 2010 to lead Mammoth Lakes Tourism in its early years. His degree from Northeastern University and 31-plus years of experience in hospitality and tourism, including positions with American Skiing Company, Colorado Ski Country USA and resorts across the country, prepared John to lead the Mammoth Lakes Tourism team. He is passionate about tapping into all of the opportunities to grow the Mammoth Lakes tourism industry and bringing visitors to town during historically slower seasons. Locally, John is involved as a board member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation and the TOT compliance task force. He is also the chairman of the Visit California snow committee and a board member for the US Travel Association and California Travel Association. Winter sports have always been a draw for John, so he is grateful that Mammoth Lakes offers him and his children Bryn and Jace the chance to ski together and be on the mountain upwards of 100 days a year.
Michael Vanderhurst, Director of Sales and International Marketing
Michael Vanderhurst has 20 years of experience in sales. Michael is Mammoth Lakes Tourism’s “Road Warrior,” traveling to international markets worldwide to raise awareness and enthusiasm for the destination. Michael sits on the Mono County Tourism and Film Commission, The High Sierra Visitors Council, and is the point of contact for Brand USA and Visit California International.
Lara Kaylor, Director of Communications and PR
Lara Kaylor has more than 10 years of experience as a journalist, which gives her a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on PR. Lara is responsible for Mammoth Lakes Tourism’s domestic media relations, including Visit California Domestic. Lara sits on the Outdoor Writers Association of California’s Board of Directors.
Lauren MacLeod, Public Relations Coordinator
Lauren MacLeod, MLT’s Public Relations Coordinator, supports media relationships and community outreach. She has eight years of content marketing and editorial experience in the outdoor and wellness industries, including bylines in Outside Online and affiliates. Before joining MLT, she wrote the restaurant series for the Visit Mammoth website, highlighting locally-owned establishments. Through her experience with written media, Lauren understands how to share the stories behind Mammoth Lakes in a constantly shifting media environment.
Sarah Winters, Director of Marketing
Sarah Winters joined the MLT team in 2023, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge. Sarah comes from a 15-year background in the hospitality industry, including a decade of expertise in tourism marketing. Sarah sits on the Visit California Rural Committee as well as the Visit California High Sierra Council and will be MLT’s point person for all paid marketing efforts. Originally from outside of Boston, she has called California her home for nearly 15 years and is thrilled to be representing her favorite mountain destination.
Emily Bryant, Marketing Manager
Emily joined MLT in 2017. Raised in Yosemite National Park, Emily started working for the park concessionaire in a variety of front-line customer service positions as a teen, and as an adult focused specifically on the lodging sector, working in a variety of resort hotels. Emily has also worked with Civitas on various assessment districts across the state. She has lived in Mammoth Lakes since 2013 and is an avid, lifelong snow slider.