Our Leadership Team

You won't just find us behind our desks. Our team brings years of travel industry experience to the table along with a plethora of expertise in a wide range of fields. Our passion for exploring, getting outside, and experiencing the world is practically tangible in the work we produce.

Jason Linder

President & CEO

After studying commercial tourism in undergrad followed by a masters degree in business administration, Jason was destined to end up in the travel industry. He began his career at a few large internet startups before spending a year backpacking around the world. In 2008, while working with the Sundance Film Festival, he proposed building a booking engine for their site. From the technology, RootRez was born. When not in his office chair, you can find Jason in his bike saddle, powering past you on the up hills, out traveling the world, or spending time with his wife and two kids.

Mark McGill

VP of Sales & Business Development

Born and raised in a ski family, Mark fell into the travel technology industry while working on the sales team at MountainReservations.com. After receiving his M.B.A., Mark joined the RootRez team in 2013, when it was simply Sundance Lodging Services. In 2016, he stepped into the role of Executive Director and now runs all of our sales, customer service, market management, and business development operations. On any powder day, you’ll find Mark whooping and hollering down the mountain and on sunny days, you’ll find him coaching his son’s soccer team, watching his daughter act and sing, or crushing Jason at ping pong.

William O'Leary

VP of Client Success

Joining RootRez in 2015 as a consultant and full time in 2019, Will brings over 10 years of hospitality service and management experience to his role as Vice President of Client Success. Managing all aspects of the RootRez client life cycle, client travelers and supporting their local hoteliers allows Will to put RootRez client’s goals first. Will’s in-depth knowledge of hospitality operations, SaaS and real estate management contracts, sales and call center operations, and asset management brings in-valuable experience to his focus, the RootRez Client. Will continuously drives all forms of client success, as well as inside and outside sales for RootRez. When not focused on clients you can find him skiing, golfing, playing, or coaching lacrosse.

Isabelle Emery

Operations Manager

Joining RootRez in 2019, Isabelle is a recent graduate from Utah State University with a B.A. in Technology Systems. She loves a good challenge and enjoys solving problems that require stepping out of her comfort zone. Between juggling all things operational and accounts receivable at Rootrez, Isabelle is an avid traveler. You may find her hiking, backpacking, camping, or even deep-sea fishing. Mexico is her favorite deep-sea fishing spot. When she is relaxing, which is rare, you will find her tackling Sudoku, puzzles, and cleaning projects or hanging with her dogs and spending time on her family ranch in Heber.

Alexandria Wirth

Reservations Manager

Alexandria joins the RootRez team with extensive experience in various management and client service roles. Drawing from her experience, Alexandria continues to deliver guest retention strategies through her stellar telephone skills and expertise in managing client relationships, handling guest concerns, and counseling guests to make the best decisions, among other responsibilities in managing the RootRez Contact Center. Beyond delivering the best customer experiences, Alexandria is an avid fly fisher; she enjoys relaxing with a good book, spending time with her rescue dog Rampage, or cooking up a storm.

Jodie Gibson

Supplier Manager

Jodie brings over 20 years of hospitality experience to the role of Supply Manager within the Client Success Organization. Her past experience includes working for Global Hotel Brands, a Representation Company, Technology, and GDS Providers. Jodie’s knowledge base includes all aspects of connectivity, distribution, and relationship management. She has been involved in the scoping and development of new connections, CRS development, and onboarding of new partners within the Global Hospitality Marketplace. When she is not figuring out how to improve a connection or relationship between partners, she can be found traveling on a solo adventure.

Eliza Spogis

Client Success Manager

Growing up in Montana, Eliza has been supporting travelers in various capacities since before she could remember. After receiving two BAs in Chicago, Eliza worked in one of the nation’s top fine art auction houses, managing post-sale operations and clients. She brings unique travel and hospitality experience from her history with companies like Gallatin River Lodge and Big Sky Vacation Rentals in Montana, and the Ralph Lauren flagship experience in Chicago. Through her cross-sector roles she has found her passion in cultivating relationships, and is committed to ensuring the success of the RootRez client along every step of their journey. Beyond fostering winning market share for RootRez clients, you can find Eliza exploring on a bike, attending art gallery openings, swooshing down the ski slopes, crafting the perfect jazz playlist, or trying to get her ranunculus plants to grow more blooms.

Kassi Harris

Operations Specialist

Kassi has an established background in customer care, working for many years at Snowbird Ski Resort performing all duties in hospitality and fine dining. Kassi enjoys the finer things in life and only hopes to offer that to Rootrez’s clients. She’s spent the last 5 years working in several operational roles and as a licensed Master Aesthetician, taking clients of her own as well as instructing future estheticians. With a keen eye for detail, she is meticulous and values personal growth while connecting with people. Kassi’s passions include roller skating with her dogs Sammie and Nora and all things aesthetics. When not working, performing services, or skating with her dogs you can always find her relaxing with a hot cup of coffee in hand and her fat cat Octavius on her shoulder.

Eric Thompson

Senior Director of Sales & Marketing

While living most of his life in Salt Lake City, Eric has developed a passion for the many outdoor activities available at his doorstep. With over 30 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, he been able to share his passion with visitors and potential travelers alike. After graduating from the University of Utah, a short winter break turned into a career, working in Sales and Marketing for the Park City Ski Area and then for the last 24 years, and most recently as the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Visit Salt Lake, the area’s destination marketing organization. He embraces technology and has been an early adapter to implement many travel tech solutions and strategies. Eric loves to travel and appreciates the perspective it provides to make us better.

Steve Correa

Business Development Executive

Steve brings more than 12 years of sales and business development experience to the RootRez team. His experiences in scaling technology, adoption, building relationships, and driving client business, will help the sales/business development team grow our client base. Most recently Steve served as the Executive Director for a local nonprofit (Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports). When not working, he enjoys watching his children playing hockey, soccer, and volleyball. When not traveling or at a sporting event, Steve and his family can be found on the water, boating in the summer and on the slopes making turns in the winter.

Jeff Abplanalp

Controller

Jeff holds an Accounting degree from Utah State University (Go Aggies!), and an MBA from the University of Wyoming (Go Pokes!) Along the way, he has been in accounting leadership roles for over 20 years in many industries and companies of all sizes. "I enjoy the work environment at RootRez and am fascinated by the unique role that RootRez plays in their industry." When not working, Jeff enjoys spending quality time with his family: wife, 3 sons, and two young granddaughters Emily & Natalie. When not spending time with them, he can be found on the river fly fishing, backpacking into the wilderness, and camping with friends.