Tag: leadership

As we look ahead to summer, we are excited to announce, Mike Shaughnessy will be joining June 9th as Higher Ground’s new Chief Executive Officer. 

Mike brings both a deep personal connection to the Valley and a lifelong passion for the outdoors.

He first came to the area in 1996 while stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Soon after, he met his wife, Tricia, and the two built their life together in Hailey. Although they spent time away, they returned to Idaho 2009 to raise their daughter, Ella, and shortly thereafter moved back to the Wood River Valley.

Mike’s connection to the trail systems and outdoor culture runs deep. He has coached with the Wood River High School Mountain Bike Team and serves on the board of the Wood River Trails Coalition, helping to support and grow the very trail networks that programs like Higher Ground rely on today.
Professionally, Mike has built an impressive career spanning both military service and executive leadership. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Supply Chain & Emerging Markets at Balsam Brands, a role he held since 2014. Prior to this, he served as a combat leader and aviator with the United States Air Force and Idaho Air National Guard, earning the Bronze Star for his service. He also served as a Naval Aviator in the United States Navy. Mike holds an MBA from Dartmouth College and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts.

For Mike, a perfect day in the Wood River Valley starts early with coffee and a pastry on the drive north, followed by time spent exploring the mountains with family and friends, and ending with a shared meal and stories from the day. It’s this same sense of connection, adventure, and reflection that sits at the core of Higher Ground’s mission, creating space for individuals to challenge themselves, build community, and experience the healing power of the outdoors. 

Welcome, Mike!