10/08/2026
GM Spotlight: Meet Carl Dittmaier, General Manager at Mount Rushmore National Memorial
For the past two years, Carl has been part of Xanterra, bringing more than 30 years of hospitality experience to his role as General Manager at Mount Rushmore. Before joining Xanterra, Carl spent 10 years in law enforcement before transitioning to hospitality, where he held leadership roles with Disney World, Hilton and Station Casinos. He joined Xanterra as Food & Beverage Director at Grand Canyon South Rim before becoming General Manager of our Mount Rushmore operations.
What first drew Carl to hospitality was the opportunity to create positive, memorable experiences for others. While creating meaningful experiences for guests is rewarding, Carl says the most fulfilling part of his career is helping employees grow, develop and reach their goals.
As a leader, Carl believes the employee experience is at the heart of great hospitality. When employees feel valued, trained and appreciated, they're able to create the unforgettable guest experiences Xanterra strives to be known for.
His advice for anyone starting their first season with Xanterra?
"Learn as much as you can, look for ways to interact with as many guests as possible, and experience the parks."
Outside of work, Carl and his wife enjoy camping, traveling, exploring historic places, and spending time at the gym. And here's a fun fact: Carl grew up on a farm with dairy cattle and was driving tractors and operating equipment by the age of eight!
Thank you, Carl, for your leadership and for your commitment to helping both employees and guests create memorable experiences at Mount Rushmore.
