About Us

This is the place where curiosity comes to play

Welcome to the smartest decision you’ll ever make. Created by the founder of the Discovery Channel, Discovery Retreats inspires you to challenge and revitalize your mind, body, and spirit. Set at Gateway Canyons Resort and nestled into the red rocks of Western Colorado, it’s here where you can connect with great minds of our time and soak in life’s thrilling explorations. Within these majestic canyons, ideas flow as freely as the river that runs through them.

Leadership Team

John Hendricks | Founder, Discovery Retreats; Founder and Chairman, Discovery Communications

John S. Hendricks is the Founder and Chairman of Discovery Communications, the world’s number one nonfiction media company. Hendricks created Discovery Channel in 1985 as the first cable network in the United States designed to provide high quality documentary programming enabling people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity.

For nearly 25 years, Hendricks has been the driving force behind Discovery’s dramatic growth, including the expansion of Discovery Communications from its core property, Discovery Channel, to current global operations in more than 170 countries and territories reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers. Under Hendricks’ leadership, Discovery’s stable of networks now encompass more than 100 networks of distinctive programming representing 27 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Planet Green and HD Theater. Discovery’s other properties include Discovery Education, Discovery Commerce and a portfolio of digital services including HowStuffWorks.com.

In September 2009, Discovery announced that Hendricks is leading the development of a new landmark original series, "CURIOSITY:  The Questions of Life," scheduled to premiere on Discovery Channel in late summer of 2011.  Inspired by Hendricks' vision, CURIOSITY will tackle the fundamental questions and underlying mysteries of our time through 60 one-hour episodes spread over five years. The series will be complemented by educational content for schools, deep-dive online content and themed knowledge retreats called Discovery Retreats. These events will take place at the incredible resort Hendricks' built in southwestern Colorado, which provides a unique, leisure-time destination for individuals who share a passion for learning, a thirst for adventure and a desire to live an inspired life.

A visionary in the media industry, Hendricks has been honored with a Primetime Emmy Award and with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences highest honor, the Governors Award, for conceiving the TLC series, Great Books. The Ark Trust named him a recipient of the Genesis Award for lifetime achievement for his efforts in raising awareness around the globe about animal issues. Hendricks also has been recognized as the first corporate leader to receive the National Education Association’s Friend of Education award for “innovations in education and technology and greatly expanding educational opportunity for America’s schoolchildren.”

Hendricks serves on the board of directors of a number of non-profit organizations including the United States Olympic Committee and is Chairman of the National Forest Foundation.

Before 1985, Hendricks founded and served as president of the American Association of University Consultants (AAUC), a private consulting organization that specializes in television distribution, marketing and fundraising for educational programs and services. Hendricks holds a B.A. in history (magna cum laude, 1974) and an honorary doctorate (1991) from the University of Alabama, Huntsville.
 

Carrie Smith Passmore | President, Discovery Retreats

As President of Discovery Retreats, Carrie Smith Passmore is responsible for developing and launching a new concept in knowledge retreats that caters to curiosity seekers and lifelong learners. She oversees all aspects of the venture, including on- and off-site programming, content development, promotions, staffing and partnerships.

Discovery Retreats was created and inspired by John Hendricks, Founder and Chairman of the Discovery Channel – and Passmore was a natural pick to help lead and build this legacy project for him. Before joining the team, she spent 21 years at Discovery Communications where she worked closely with Hendricks, serving in key senior executive capacities including company spokesperson and public partnership liaison. She shares with Hendricks a natural curiosity about the world around her, and uses her passion and experience to create successful partnerships and build new initiatives.

Passmore launched and led several of Discovery’s strategic corporate initiatives including Discovery Channel’s Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s preeminent middle school science competition. She spearheaded a groundbreaking public-private partnership with the National Park Service, and led Discovery’s efforts as a Proud Partner of America’s National Parks. Passmore’s team launched the first annual Silverdocs:  AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival, which has grown into one of the country’s premier film festivals and competition. Discovery’s longest standing charitable initiative, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, also fell under Passmore’s oversight.

In addition, Passmore was responsible for developing and implementing Discovery’s public outreach efforts, such as the Discovery Channel Telescope, built in partnership with the world-renowned Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ. Other partnership initiatives under Passmore’s leadership included: The Smithsonian Institution, The National Archives, The Cable Center Museum, The Greater Washington Urban League, Towson University Foundation, Montgomery College, Children’s Inn at NIH, Strathmore Music Center and a Media Literacy outreach effort.

Passmore’s contributions over more than two decades at Discovery also included positions as Senior Manager, Director and Vice President of Discovery’s Corporate Administration, Real Estate and Facilities Management Services. When the company acquired 125 Discovery Channel retail stores, Passmore was tapped to integrate the retail acquisition with Discovery’s headquarters operations. She was later promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Social Responsibility.

Before joining Discovery, Passmore worked as a Branch Manager for Manpower, Inc., a global employment service. She also held the position of Sales Manager for the Penn Mutual Insurance Company in Philadelphia, PA. Passmore received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Villanova University in Philadelphia, PA.