Staff

Marc Frank Montoya

Co-Founder

Bio:

I'm just gonna start by tellin' people this:If you have an idea of what you wanna do with your life, get off your punk ass and take them steps to make it happen no matter what. Don't be lazy or be a half-asser in anything you do, even if it's sweepin' a floor or makin' some fries at a crappy job. People notice hard, thorough work, and a crappy job won't last long. Pretty soon, you'll come up - if you put the hard work and dedication in.

So uh, anyway....

There were at least a couple really good turning points in my life and they were all because of skateboarding and snowboarding. I'll try to break it down the shortest way I can. I grew up poor in the North Side of Denver. I don't think I was supposed to have a good life but I guess I made some right ass decisions to get where I am! My first and most important lucky ass move in life was getttin' into skateboarding! For some reason, all my lil' neighborhood homies got skateboards to get around on, so I had to get one too. That's when my whole life direction started it's course. A couple of us really started liking it and started gettin' all into it, learnin' different tricks and all that. I was just hooked. It was meant for me, no question. High school hit right after that and I already knew what I wanted to do forever. It kinda messed up my chances of bein' a soccer player but fuck it, I didn't care about anything else! I was a skater for life, without a doubt. It's what saved my life, 'cause pretty soon, one by one, almost all my homies were in different gangs and shit. We all pretty much split up for a while after that. Some homies were North siders, some West Side, some GKI's and the rest were Bloods. I just kept skatin' though, goin' downtown, and meeting a bunch of other skater heads and all that. I was all up in the streets, but always out of all the gang shit. I didn't like all that crazy nonsense, beatin' peoples' asses for no reason and all that! I was still down with all my true homies, but I kept skatin', and that's all I really cared about. I still had to hustle and do some illegal things here and there to get by, but still, I was a skater. Highschool was crazy easy for me so I graduated. All you have to do is basically just show up and halfway pay attention, and you graduate! Then a year or so after highschool I went to California to try to live out the true skate life, but after a little bit, I knew I didn't like Cali. I didn't have any friends there and my beat up little truck finally died so I just came home. Plus, nobody had my back over there so it was bunk. I came back and lived with my Mom for a while and tried to figure somethin' out, but a little bit later she got booted by the landlord, so I had to find a place to stay and get money somehow. I started slangin' and thievin' – basically whatever I had to do to make it. I went to jail a couple times for some little bullshit, and didn't have a good future at all. I even stopped skatin' for a minute and thing's were lookin' pretty grim. That's about when my skateboarder friend Kelly Flynn bailed me out of jail one day and started taking me up to the mountains with him to go snowboarding. Things changed up for me thanks to Kelly. Through him, I met these other people that were moving (up out of Denver) and up to Vail to snowboard, so I started talkin' to them and ended up moving up there with 'em. That's when the next turning point was. That's when I saw the good, different mountain life, away from the daily grind in the city. Somehow, I got enough money to get a pass, and I just rode every day and started gettin' good at snowboarding. I had to do "what I had to do" to come up with a little rent money and some food, and the rest was gravy! That only lasted the one season though and I ended up moving back to Denver for a while but now I had a vision at least. I wanted to be a snowboarder, so I started doin' everything I could to make that happen. I got a job delivering pizzas so I could work at night, and drive an hour and a half up to the mountains every day. I would jack a pizza and a six pack every night for food the next day. I would go every little chance I got, and started gettin' better and better every day. Soon I lost the pizza job but I still kept doin' whatever I had to, to keep gettin' up to the mountains. I'm not sayin' they were good things, but I'm just sayin' that I made it happen. I got up there as much as I possibly could. Then after a bit, people started noticing me and I started meeting people that had the hookups with different snowboard companies n stuff, so I started to get free product from people. Then I started to film with some people that made smaller snowboarding movies and actually got sponsored. As soon as I got my first check from a snowboard company, ooh, that was it! I knew what I was gonna do to get money! I loved it so much already anyway, there was no way I would ever go for anything else! Well really, there was no other choice anyway. I could'nt believe I was really startin' to get paid some legit checks in the mail just to snowboard! I was trippin' for real. I never knew how long it was gonna last so after I bought my turntables with my first couple checks, I just started savin' my money like crazy. I was alway scared somethin' that good would end at any time, so I was just steady stackin' my loot in the bank, always hustlin', thinkin' of other ways to make money. Shit, I'm still hustlin' every damn day! You never know when your luck is gonna change, so I'm lookin' out for the future, always. I work hard and don't sleep that much while I'm young just 'cause I can. Plus, shit's goin' crazy good for me and it's fun, so there ain't no stoppin' me now! I love it, we have all these cool ass Block Hotels goin' up everywhere, I have a snowboard manufacturing company called Biltrite Mfg, I own a skateboard company called Federal Skateboards, and I ride almost every day 'cause I love it and I make some good ass money doin' it! All this is because of my love and dedication to skateboarding and snowboarding and I'm gonna do it 'til I can't anymore. MFM

Liko S. Smith

President/Co-Founder

Accomplishments:

Joined the Army right out of high school, my counselor said college was out of the question for me. Spent 2 years humping a ruck, and then a year punching people in the head with the Army Boxing Team, (beating down soldiers is fun). Went to college right afterwards, stayed on the US Boxing Team and got Bronze at the US Olympic Festival, Bronze at the Pan Am Box Offs  and two national titles in Samoa. I was lucky to be able to travel to different countries and states and beat the shit out of people. Got 2 scholarships in college during that time and then went to work for MGM, Mandalay Hotels, Boyd Gaming, Great Western Hotels and Pacific Valley Investment Group almost general manager to vice president the whole time. By the time I met with Marco to start our own gig, I was over all the corporate bullshit but I don't hate corporate heads, they work 80 hrs. a week, never take time off, spend time away from home, die of stress early and deal with more shit than most people are willing to in jobs they hate; that takes balls and that's the kind of people that grow companies, I think THE BLOCK will get that way except the part that they hate their jobs and die early, people love to work for THE BLOCK, I think it "adds" 20 years to your life to work for a company like ours. No bullshit, no politics, and a lot of snowboarding and drinking; what could be better?

Why Tahoe & Bear:

Tahoe was the best place to start THE BLOCK. When Marc and I first got here Snowboarders were roaming around trying to find a place to stay and motels and inns were ridiculous with their prices and at the same time; looking for a reason to toss them out. We were able to open a hotel next to clubs, bars, great restaurants and a rocks throw from the lifts...who knew? It's the same situation in almost every mountain town, that's what gave birth to THE BLOCK, a place for snowboarders, by snowboarders. We started out with a small 28 room hotel called the Lampliter; and when it first opened, more customers walked out than walked in but over time, snowboarders realized what Marc and I were trying to do..the first year was hard but after we got through that; we've been packed almost every weekend. We then bought the crib next door and expanded to 50 rooms and six months after that,..I bought another 56 room hotel down the road, and 6 months after that we opened THE BLOCK at Big Bear. We took everything we learned, and started over in Big Bear and now that place is killin' it! We plan to do the same thing but better in Mammoth, Breckenridge, Canada, France and Switzerland over the next 5 years..it's going to take 100 hrs. a week of effort but that's what I promised Marc..every mountain town. I've been in 10 countries looking for BLOCK's ..now we're getting into creating bars, clubs, building terrain parks, and supporting pro snowboarders. In 10 years..there will be a BLOCK in every major mountain town. I'm the luckiest guy in the world.

Dislikes:

Negative, Predatory or Hateful People and especially people that are mean to kids..you can't get more chicken-shit than that. Also, I despise the lazy, cuz that also leads to stupidity, ignorance and a whole plethora of other shitbird traits that should be carved out of the human condition. Also, people that hate on Marco...I tend to jack those fools up nice and good. Marco is the American Dream, he should be an inspiration and he's the coolest and most down guy you'll ever meet...so when people are hating, my patience takes a bathroom break while paint the street with a bucket of hurt. I've got to stop that shit though, I'll catch a case soon.

Likes:

Anyone with a dream and a plan. We've hired college grads, to high school dropouts, to highway patrol captains to ex cons...we'll take anyone with a plan, some guts and an intense belief in hard work, fairness, honesty, self education and snowboarding. I also love children,..these little heads are the future, and if they can get as much love and understanding as possible; we could prevent wars, gangs, and desperation. Also, people that educate themselves should be treasured,..formally or otherwise, it's always a good day to learn. I try to learn as much as I can every day; that's one thing you can always keep for yourself. Oh yeah,..I love waking up in the morning..between boxing and the Army,..I've got 5 close friends that have died, I respect them everyday by putting my life to use and not wasting it.

Evan Thomas

Front Desk Supervisor

Likes:

    

The ladies, Workin at the sickest Hotel in the WORLD!,  Honey Bunches of Oates that shit is Dank! , kicked back chill ass fooles like myself..,"WoRd" uh. Steezin the white on ma shred stick, cranberry+Goose/Level, huslin, Road trips, All My Homies, and bluebird days..........to be continued...

Dislikes:

Cottage cheese, All them stuck up Bitches That act Like There shit don't stink, All them nooobs that think they could go up express at Bear and f#ck everything up Yall know who you are.., Myspace Whores, Rats, kiss asses, Waking up....

Movies:

Blow, The Big Lebowski,  super troopers, Beerfest, Half Baked, Team America, Basicly the ones you smoke a fatty and laugh ur ass off...

Music:

Atmosphere, Immortal Tecnique, Serious Hot jams..yall know, The Game, Tom Petty, to name a few.... but seriosly I am stuck in a hippity Hop fad?

    

Accomplishments:

In the works...

Why Big Bear:

I grew up in deez  trees, this is ma Hood and it will stay that way no matter where I end up.

LEE ROY

Front Desk Agent

Name: 

Lee Roy


Likes:



Dislikes:


Negative people

Music:


Sublime, Red Hot Chile Peppers, 2pac and The Notorious B.I.G.


Quotes:


With Struggle Comes Progress -Fredrick Douglas


Why THE BLOCK?


Because I believe in Marc Frank Montoya and Liko Smith's vision in creating an innovative and unique hotel empire that caters to the modern snowboarder.


What I learned in Bootcamp:


I learned how to handle myself in a strict, disciplined and limited living situation.  I have a lot more respect for the military after going through the boot camp.

Vanessa Rivers

Front Desk Agent
Name: Vanessa Rivers

From: Santa Barbara, CA

Hey Everyone,
I'm passionate about surfing, snowboarding and the environment.
In my spare time I work on my "environmentally conscious" lingerie
company, Happy Endingz... Stay in the Happy Endingz signature room at
THE BLOCK at Big Bear!!! xoxox, v

Likes: surfing, snowboarding, hot guys

Dislikes: dishonest people & people who don't care

Quotes: "I like ranch dressing at 4am"

Why THE BLOCK?: I'm working at THE BLOCK because Im not ready to grow up yet!!!

What I learned at boot camp? At boot camp I learned that most people are outa shape lol damn, how can you have a hard time running two miles???!!!

Matt Gonzalez

Front Desk Agent
Name: Matthew James Gonzales aka MJG. 8-Ball, recruit #8.

Likes: Beezys, partying, Skating and Snowboarding, blunt stalls, Crails, Stiffys, and Suitcases. camping, Zoo Bombing(PDX), Panda Express, flights to boston, watching the history channel. Filming and video production.

Dislikes: complainers, negative people, Gapers on the mnt.....

Music: I love it all except for country. Some stuff thats on my ipod...People Under The Stairs, MF DOOM, Del, Heiro, Sage Francis, DJ Shadow, Blockhead, Anticon, Mac Dre, Snoop Dog, Eazy E, Nas, Common, Bone thugz, Blackalicious, Josh Martinez, Too Short, Big L, Tribe Called Quest, Sublime, Israel vibrations, Eek-A-Mouse, Miles Davis, Victor wooten, neil young, tom petty, etc

Quotes: "If you find a job that you truely enjoy, then you'll never work another day in your life."

Accomplishments: I won the ASS-TO-RISK medal during the bootcamp. WHAT!

Why THE BLOCK? Besides being the baddest hotel in the industry, I chose the block because I believe in what they're trying to create and wanted to be a part of the first hotel chain for snowboarders by snowboarders. Ojea, and the free Pabst!

What I learned in Bootcamp: Push ups, push ups, and more push ups.

Nikki Van Straten

Front Desk Agent
Name: Nikki

Likes: Boys, Booze, the Beach. Tans, skinny jeans, blond hair oh and booze.

Dislikes: People that can't find humor is almost everything. British accents, Breaking nails, liars and black ice oh and cops.

Music: Jazz, Big Band, Opera, Classical.. anything I can shake my ass to until 6 in the mornin'.

Quotes: "I'm so hood" oh and a couple personal hotel favs "I put it all out on the line for this company...I'm willing to do ANYTHiNG to insure guests have an amazing stay." "Don't box my Lob, use da popcorn button on da top left" annnd last but not least.."The Lob is Closed, BITCHEs"

"4 words, not gonna happen"

Why THE BLOCK?: Good question!! THE BLOCK choose me, ask them.

What I learned at Boot Camp: Not a fucking thing!! How to run 2 miles still drunk from the night before oh and fat raccoons climbing trees in the middle of the night are wayyy funnier if your high..

Ryan Moebius

Front Desk Agent
Name: Ryan Moebius

Likes: Snowboarding all day everyday at Bear mtn,shreding with my homies,Nitro snowboards,European girls German/Czech chicks are BEAUTIFUL,all kinds of fruit,Del taco,Italian and Mexican food,DVS shoes,Partying at the BLOCK,Jager and Redbull,blueberry slurpees,any kind of candy,Sick as riders like Lucas Magoon, Mike Casanova,MFM,Travis Kennedy and Travis Rice. Just about best of all, working for the BLOCK at Big Bear.

Dislikes: People who are rude and give attitude,stuckup bitches,boarders who cut you off and do some lame ass trick.

Music: Lenny Kravitz,Lil Wayne/the Birdman,Jay-z,Wyclef Jean,Mike Jones,Kanye West,Aesop rock,Timbaland,Kate Nash,Three 6 Mafia, T.I.,Placebo,Evermore and The Rasmus are just a few to list.

Quotes: It ain't easy being STEEZY.

What I learned in Bootcamp?: Teamwork and 30 min of boxing skills

Olivia Jackson

Front Desk Agent
Name: Olivia Ann Jackson

Likes: Snowboarding, Pirates, Rum, Outdoor Activities, Roller Coasters, SCUBA Diving, Photography, My Family and Friends, Genuine People, Relaxing at the beach with my Fiance David and his golden retriever Samantha.

Dislikes: Zucchini, Really Hot Weather, Country Music, Annoying Drunk People, Close minded People, Bad Drivers.

Music: Rock, Ska, Some Punk, Hard Core, Alternative, Anything that is freaking awesome and you can rock out to.

Quotes: "Why is the rum gone?" -Pirates of the Caribbean

Accomplishments:Graduating from Brooks Institute of Photography, Becoming the Person I am Today, Meeting my Fiance DavidWhat I learned in Boot camp: Teamwork is the only way anything can be accomplished successfully and efficiently.No matter how hard you work and adhere to the rules, those who break the rules somehow manage to slip under the radar and get recognized for the wrong reasons.

Why THE BLOCK? THE BLOCK is great, because you can totally be yourself while you are working and you don't have to worry about a dress code. My dream since I learned how to snowboard has been to live in Big Bear for a season and work at a place that allowed me to spend time doing the things I love the most: Photography and Snowboarding. With this opportunity I can fulfill my passions while experiencing things I could have never thought imaginable.

Bradly Monclova

Front Desk Agent / Maintainence
Name: Bradly Monclova

Likes: Snowboarding, adrenaline, partying

Dislikes: Stuck up people

Music: anything and everything

Quotes: Go BIG... live life like theres no tomorrow

Why THE BLOCK? The sickest place to be

What I learned in Bootcamp: How a bunch of strangers can come together, work as a team and bond