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In the early 1970s, a young Scout named Jim Waldrop had a little armchair adventure that would ultimately change his life.
Little did he know at the time that the article he read about the Grand Tetons in his parents’ National Geographic magazine would inspire him to one day take a life-changing road trip to Jackson Hole and launch a storied career. . 2024 BIG WYO Awards.
“At my high school graduation, my brother let me use his new car and we drove out and hiked through the Tetons and Yellowstone,” Waldrop recalled. “I’m in love.”
That love eventually inspired Wardrop to move to Jackson and get a job at the Chamber of Commerce as a “brochure boy,” as he calls it.
Eventually, Wardrop worked his way into what he today calls his dream job. Waldrop is president and general manager of Silver Dollar Inc., which manages the famed Wort Hotel and the equally legendary Silver Dollar Bar, as well as approximately eight retail stores and several office buildings.
He was known as “Mr. Cowboy” to many throughout the Cowboy State. Hospitality. “
On Tuesday, he was completely surprised to learn that he was the latest recipient of the Greater Wyoming Award, which annually recognizes a private-sector person who has made significant lifetime contributions to Wyoming’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Winners are selected annually by members of the Wyoming Hospitality and Tourism Alliance Executive Committee and past Wyoming Grand Winners.
‘Incredible impact’
Introducing the 2024 BIG WYO Awards, Gov. Mark Gordon began by talking about the feeling Waldrop makes people feel when they visit Jackson’s famed Wort Hotel, saying that in Wyoming , people immediately feel like they’re “here.” Back to Wyoming. “
“You can feel it in the woodwork,” Gordon said. “Especially, you can feel it from the staff. It’s an incredible place with Western hospitality and rich Western history.”
Other Waldrop colleagues echoed this in videos prepared for the event. They talked about how Waldrop has supported the hospitality industry and welcomed people to Jackson Hole for 20 years.
“He had an incredible impact on our community through numerous boards of directors,” Jerry Brann, former president and CEO of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, said in the video. “He has always made great contributions. He is led. At the same time, he will also give his employees the credit they deserve.”
Grand Teton Lodge Vice President and General Manager Alex Klein emphasized Waldrop’s willingness to assist.
“Every time someone needs to step up and make it happen, I’ve seen him do it,” Cline said. “Whether it’s supporting the education of Wyoming students, taking a leadership role, creating degree programs at the university, or helping pass the lodging tax.”
Meanwhile, his wife Charlotte Waldrop said her husband was more than just a 9-to-5 hospitality guy.
“I don’t know anyone whose career fits their personality better than Jim’s,” she said, recalling with humor the number of last-minute calls her husband made to guests.
“I would point out that we didn’t have anything special to make for dinner, and he would say, ‘That’s okay, it’s the people. It’s not about the food, it’s not about cleaning the house. It’s about getting along with people, being hospitable, being hospitable. ,”she says.
His daughter Lucy said she learned those lessons, too.
“It’s important to make connections that are not superficial,” she says. “He instilled that in me.”
Humble and inspired
Wardrop was visibly shocked by the award, hugging his family before taking to the podium.
“I’m definitely humble,” he said, shaking his head after taking the podium. “I was definitely humbled — and surprised.”
However, he thought for a moment and added that he did not win this award alone.
“It’s because of all of you,” he said. “You inspire me. You allow me to grow as a person, as a leader, as a brand, and as a family, and you change my life. Each and every one of you has played a big role in that.”
Wardrop added that the people around him continue to inspire him every day, making him feel lighter in his step as he continues his life’s work.
“Hospitality is in my blood,” he said. “But also friends, all of these things continue to inspire me and I’m so humbled and so grateful for each and every one of you.”
One season becomes a lifetime
Wardrop told Cowboy State Daily after his speech that he came to Jackson in 1992 and thought it would be a one-season affair. He wanted a reboot, a fresh start. Not only did he find the reset he needed, he found the life he wanted.
“The mountains and all these things are so inspiring and still exist today,” he said. “But more importantly, it’s all about the people of Wyoming. It’s all about the people of Wyoming. That’s what drives me, that’s what drives me every day.”
Wardrop stressed that it was the support of those around him that allowed him to do so much for so many people.
“I have a lot of support from my family and friends, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my biggest mentor and my boss, Bill Baxter,” he said. “He really inspired me on so many levels as a person and as a person. I’m just very lucky.”
Wardrop added that he and Baxter both saw themselves as managers of the Water Hotel and the Million Dollar Bar.
Wardrop counts this stewardship and elevating both destinations to world-class status as one of his best achievements.
He said he does plan to retire one day, but for now will “keep hanging on” to ensure both locations remain the high-quality tourist destinations they are today.
“I’m proud of the staff I’ve been able to gather and the support I’ve been able to get from those employees,” he said. “This is a really, really game-changer for me and I’m really, really proud of these guys. These relationships that we’ve built across the state are really, really important and I’m proud of that.”
Renee Jean can be reached renee@CowboyStateDaily.com.
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