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Locals 2007

Locals 2007 - a celebration of our favorite personalities.

Steamboat Springs — A Golden Gloves champion at 147 pounds in Ohio.

An accomplished drummer who has played in the Superdome in New Orleans, New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii.

Time spent living and studying in Mexico.

A proud father of two with a great wife.

It's safe to say Mark Walker is living an extraordinary life.

"I have the greatest life," said Walker, the vice president for the Resort Group. "I am so blessed."

Walker, who has lived in Steamboat sine 1991, said his travels around the globe have helped him understand the hospitality business better.

Walker said he understands what people are looking for when they visit Steamboat.

"The big picture of guest experience in Steamboat is that they want to come back," he said. "It's what sets us apart - the friendliness."

Walker, who has been with the Resort Group for more than a year, almost didn't make it to Steamboat.

A friend had invited Walker to come out and ski. Walker said he viewed it as a great opportunity to network.

"I thought, 'what a great way to meet an influential business person,'" he said.

Well, Walker did meet an influential businessperson and moved back to Ohio to work at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.

But Walker missed Steamboat. Instead of staying in Ohio, Walker said he couldn't shake the "Yampa Valley Curse."

So he moved back, and he's been in the hospitality business since.

"The best part is you get to meet so many great and talented people in the hospitality industry in this town," Walker said.

Although Walker admits he has to "fight time" because of his busy schedule, he said he finds time to play drums (he's been in the band Loose Change for 15 years) and basketball and golf and ski.