This month we get to know Sam Collins, a Premium Plus Technician here at Platte River Networks a little more! Sam has been with PRN for almost 4 years and provides on-site technical support for Meritage Midstream as a representative of PRN. He loves being able to work face-to-face with his clients and see the facial expressions of the people he helps. He finds it very rewarding to help people navigate the complex technology field.
Before joining PRN, Sam was the Assistant Director of IT at the Vail Mountain School, worked in IT Support for the Eagle County Government, he was a Labor Union Team Lead, Heavy Equipment Trainer, Equipment Manager and Engineer for the Ski Industry, and much more. In fact, Sam’s first job was working on a pump truck facilitating human waste in the Ore Mines at 15 years old. He used the money he earned there to travel to Italy for Ski Race Training.
Sam is also an International Ski Champion with the US Ski Team. He has traveled to over 18 countries, 3 continents, 48 states and covered millions of miles. He has been clocked at over 100mph on skis. Sam won his first state title at 10 and won every ski race his sophomore year of high school. He was named to the World Cup Ski team in 1984 and was the North America Downhill Champ, a National Collegiate Ski Champ, and Academic All American. So you could say he’s a pretty good skier. He lives by the motto, “When in doubt, tuck it out: More speed, less heed: Onward and Upward.”
Originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Sam calls himself a “Yooper” or someone who prides himself on being self-sufficient in all matters, an outdoorsman, and if there are rewards involved, he takes risks. Half of his family has been in Michigan for close to 200 years and part of his family is native to this land. In fact, his Great Grandad founded the town of Negaunee, Michigan. Sam is also a registered member of the Wikwemikong Nation of Canada.
If Sam could do anything, he would be winning the Hahnenkamm Downhill in Kitzbühel Austria. His childhood aspiration was to be on “ABC’s Wide World of Sports.”
When asked who he admires most, Sam said his wife, Lauri. And he is happiest when he is spending time with her and his family. His favorite superhero is Thor and his favorite book is the Golden Book of Camping by William Hillcourt. His hobbies include fishing, camping, skiing, hiking, boating, and anything else with horsepower.
We are so glad to have Sam as a part of our PRN team!
