WALLOWA LAKE Wallowa Lake Tramway owners Michael Lockhart and Bill Whittemore have announced the appointment of Shane Matthews to the position of area manager of Wallowa Lake Tramway Inc. The tramway board of directors took the action in order to enhance day-to-day operational and maintenance oversight of the Wallowa Lake facility. 

Matthews has over 20 years of aerial tramway maintenance and operational experience.  Shane also served as chief deputy for Morgan County Utah Sheriffs Office and was a medical examiner investigator for Morgan County during his 14 years of experience in law enforcement. He was also given the opportunity to serve as a venue commander for the 2002 Winter Olympics. 

Matthews comes from a family of ski area specialists. His father retired from the industry after working as maintenance and general manager for two major Utah resorts. Shanes older brother currently works in the maintenance department for the Canyons Ski Resort (formerly Park City West) in Utah.

Shane began working for the Wallowa Lake Tramway Corporation last August, coming to Wallowa County to serve as maintenance operations manager. His wife, Danise, currently works for Safeway and their three children attend Enterprise schools.

Tramway co-owner Lockhart credited Matthews for the job he has done assembling an outstanding staff since joining the operation. Assisting Matthews in key positions are James Matthews, area maintenance, Jennifer Sadler Spoelstra, office director, and Sherina Hartman, restaurant director.