A former Royal Marines Commando, Neil resettled into civilian life focused on pursuing a career in close personal protection and security management. He emigrated to the United States in September 1998 and was hired on by Vail Mountains security department the morning of the Two Elk fires which, at the time, was the largest act of eco-terrorism in North America. Over the next several years Neil was promoted several times and worked closely with public sector agencies from the local to federal level including the FBI, DHS, FEMA, ATF & USFS. During his time in Vail, CO Neil became a certified whitewater river raft guide, swiftwater rescue technician, wildland firefighter, EMT-B, and certified in Outdoor Emergency Care through Vail Ski Patrol. During the same time Neil was an active member of the Town of Vail Emergency Planning Committee, Eagle County Public Safety Council and Colorados NW Type III Incident Management Team.
In 2008 Neil left his role as head of security for Vail Mountain and moved to Vail Resorts corporate headquarters in Broomfield, CO to take on the newly created role of Sr. Risk Manager for Vail Resorts Lodging Division. During that time, Neil expanded his role to also support Vail Resorts Corporate and Real Estate Development divisions. Along with his duties at Vail Resorts Neil spent six and a half years as an active member of the American Hotel and Lodging Association Risk Management and Safety & Security committees focusing one guiding the lodging industrys response to current and emerging risks.
In 2014 Neil left Vail Resorts to step into the newly created role of Dir. of Risk Management for Inspirato, a Denver based global luxury hospitality & travel company. There Neil oversees the companys comprehensive risk and insurance program, claims handling as well as leading the companys efforts around safety, security and hazard risk. After his move, Neil maintained his connections with the ski industry and Vail, as a member of the Vail Valley Foundations Safety and Security Committee, co-leading the selection and implementation of the private security for the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships in Vail and Beaver Creek, CO. Neils style includes, active listening & relationship building, innovation & challenging the status quo, immersion into the business strategy & operations, consistently providing value to internal and external clients, transparency and candid communication (a no surprises philosophy).