New general manager at Twisp River Suites
Geva Maher had a good job in her native New Zealand but was looking for a way to get back to the Methow Valley, where she had lived for a while in 2011 and fell in love with the area. When Twisp River Suites owner Joe Marver advertised for a general manager, she immediately applied from thousands of miles away – and was hired.
“We conducted a FaceTime interview and exchanged emails,” Marver said. Maher recently returned to the valley to take the new position.
Maher calls herself a Kiwi/American, having been raised in Lake Chelan. She returned to New Zealand for her final year of high school and stayed for another 10 years, except for that stint in the Methow working at the Mazama Store.
In New Zealand, Maher worked in management and human resources for an international recruitment agency.
“It was clear that she had a passion for connecting with people and providing outstanding customer service, paired with the experience of managing a team and growing a business,” Marver said.
Keyser brings art experience to Loup
Local painter and designer Donna Keyser has been hired as artistic director for the Loup Loup Ski Bowl and will oversee design improvements at the day lodge, according to General Manager Sandy Liman.
“Donna has already done a great job for us helping the Loup establish new branding, signage and ad campaigns and she is both very talented and a logical choice to help the Loup develop a plan to integrate the work of local artists into the Loup experience,” Liman said in a press release. “The plan is to start slowly with a few much needed improvements to the day lodge this fall, and then, with input from Donna and contributing artists, come up with a long-term plan that will allow art to become a part of the natural part of the environment at the Loup.”
Keyser’s work has been frequently exhibited in the valley, and she has also done set design for The Merc Playhouse in Twisp.
Marketing help for artists
Jenn Tate of Earth & Sky Studios in Twisp will offer a session for artists called “How to Market Yourself” at Confluence Gallery on Nov. 19 from 6-8 p.m. On Nov. 21, Amanda Jackson, executive director of Methow Arts, will offer “Grant Writing for Artists,” also at Confluence from 6-8 p.m. The sessions cost $20 each. For more information, call 997-3090.
