Bill Stenger - New England Ski History Biography

New England Ski Industry Biographies

Bill Stenger Biography

Bill Stenger

Born:	September 27, 1948
New England Areas:	Jay Peak, VT, Q Burke, VT

William Stenger was born and raised in Corning, New York, the son of a senior manager at Corning Glass Works. After obtaining a degree in political science from Syracuse University in 1971, Stenger married his wife Mary Jane and moved to Boston to work in the insurance industry at Northwestern Mutual. In 1973, Stenger relocated to Brattleboro, Vermont to work for the Eastern Ski Association. Soon thereafter, Wes Smith recruited Stenger to work for him at Jack Frost Mountain and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania. One year later, Stenger was named General Manager at Jack Frost Mountain.

After a decade at Jack Frost Mountain, the principal shareholder of Mont Saint Sauveur Jacques Hebert recruited Stenger to become senior vice president and chief operating officer at Jay Peak starting in 1985.

Under the Mont Saint Sauveur International ownership, Stenger oversaw significant growth at Jay Peak, including the installation of the area's first fixed grip and detachable quad chairlifts, as well as a heavy push into off-piste skiing.

Following the death of Jacques Hebert on March 17, 2006, Mont Saint Sauveur International decided to sell Jay Peak. Meanwhile, in 2007 the Vermont EB-5 Regional Center was rechartered. With this in his back pocket, Stenger and partners approached Jay Peak skier Ariel Quiros to form a group to purchase Jay Peak. The deal closed in 2008, leading to a full scale EB-5 push. On December 18, 2009, Jay Peak's first big EB-5 project, the 57-suite Tram Haus Lodge, opened. The following June, the Ice Haus (an indoor skating rink) and Golf Clubhouse both debuted.

In spring 2012, a group including Quiros and Stenger purchased Burke Mountain Resort and quickly started soliciting EB-5 funds for expansion there as well.

In April of 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission seized Jay Peak and Burke Mountain from Stenger and Quiros, alleging they were conducting a Ponzi scheme. Stenger settled with the SEC later in 2016, agreeing to pay a $75,000 fine. In 2018, Stenger settled with the State of Vermont, agreeing to pay a $100,000 fine.

In August 2021, Stenger pleaded guilty to federal charges of providing a false statement to the government. In April 2022, Stenger was sentenced to 18 months in prison plus $250,000 in restitution.

Bill Stenger Related Resources on NewEnglandSkiHistory.com:

Jay Peak

Q Burke

Bill Stenger External Links:

Last updated: May 1, 2022

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