PSIA-AASI Eastern ABOUT US
Click to learn more about the teams that are leading us, and the staff that support our mission every day.
- Adaptive Education Team
- Alpine Education Team
- Children's Education Team
- Cross Country Education Team
- Snowboard Education Team
- Telemark Education Team
- The results are being filtered by the region: VT
Holly Andersen
Snowboard Examiner Adaptive Examiner
About Me
I am a lover of all things outside. I fell in love with snowboarding and teaching at a young age. Over time, my commitment has only grown. I believe that every person that wants to be on the mountain should be able to.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | Both of my daughters have initials that are snowboard tricks– JIB&CAB. |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I love to fish, snowboard, shoot trap, and be in the water. I am a quilter and like to paint. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am the Director of Facilities Management and Operations at the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union. I am in charge of all the construction, facilities, food service, and transportation for two high schools, one middle school, and seven elementary schools. I most recently spent the last thirteen years running all capital construction projects at Bennington College and continue to work at Bennington with sustainability reporting. I began working at the Hermitage, and continue to volunteer at the adaptive programs at Bromley and Mount Snow. I am the PTA president of my daughters elementary school. Most importantly, I am JIB and CAB’s mom. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Greek Peak in central NY. My father worked part time on nights and weekends. My mother volunteered at the adaptive program. I grew up teaching skiing, then snowboarding. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | I asked Terry Barbour when I was 15 if I could try out for New Hire. He let me and hired me to teach both skiing and snowboarding. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Everyday is a gift. Anything is possible. We are all lucky beyond measure. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | How could I pick just one? There are so many. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Anywhere and everywhere. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Take care of your feet! I can not tell you how many times I have frostbitten my toes. They hurt, even in the summer. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I love to garden, house projects, and puzzles. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Best. Day. Ever! |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Kim Seevers. How could I not? She is awesome at everything she does. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Snowboard Examiner. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Get on the snow as much as possible and finish my CS2. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | I would really like to train and take the Level 3 Alpine exam. It has always been on my list. |
Lindsey Harris
Adaptive Examiner
About Me
I joke that I went to physical therapy school to become a better ski instructor but after falling in love with coaching skiing in college, I knew that teaching skiing was always going to be a part of my life. After spending 7 years coaching alpine and adaptive skiing at Liberty Mountain, I now teach for Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports and Killington Resort. I love spending time outside in the mountains so when I am not skiing, I am adventuring with my family, coaching mountain biking, or trail running with my dogs.
Joe Hurley
Adaptive Clinic Leader Snowsports Management Committee
Notes
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I was a master tech working on automobiles for 28 years. I held masters in Chrysler, Ford, Chevy Old’s, VW as well as ASE |
|---|---|
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | The first place that I skied was a little place called Prospect Mount just our side of my town. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | I volunteered at an adaptive program at Ascutney Mountain. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned is to always be ready to learn from your experiences and adapt your teaching style to any lesson that you do. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Working with some of the veterans that have given so much of themselves. Seeing them accomplish the beginner terrain. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Any place that has snow and where ever I am. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Never stop learning. Keep adding to the tool box of tricks and let your inner child come out when teaching. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I enjoy cycling, golf, camping |
| What would be your personal motto? | That there are no Limits to what I can accomplish |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Kathy Chandler for all that she has done for the Adaptive community. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | I hope to finish up my level three alpine and continue on track to become an examiner. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | To be able to continue sharing some knowledge hope to bring new people into the sport. |
Norm Staunton
Adaptive Examiner Adaptive Steering Committee
About Me
Norm has spent a career in adaptive and adventure sports, including 17 seasons in various roles at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, 4 seasons at what is now NEDS at Loon, and countless other adventures. Norm has 30 years in variety of non-profit and adventure industry executive positions around Vermont and the world. He attended the Master’s Program in Outdoor Education at the University of New Hampshire where he focused his research on adventure with people with disabilities. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Vermont, where he focused on sustainability and nonprofit management. In his spare time, Norm is an avid skier, sailor, surfer, paddler, fisherman, and outdoor instructor. He makes his home in South Burlington where he lives with his wife, Jenn; his son (and soon to be skier) Charley; and their two Labs, Rudder and Tugboat; and spends as much time on the lakes, waterways, coast, and in the mountains as he can. Originally from Rhode Island, he now considers Vermont home and Southport, Maine, to be his home away from home. Norm is a member of the PSIA-AASI Eastern Region Adaptive Education Staff and is an Instructor Trainer Candidate in Adaptive Paddling, Advanced Communications and Kayak Touring with the American Canoe Association. Norm is an International Surfing Association trainer for Adaptive Surfing through AMP Surf and instructor certifications and adaptive accreditations in alpine, telemark, snowboard, children’s, kayaking, SUP, surfing, sailing, Stop-the-Bleed, and CPR & First Aid.
- The results are being filtered by the region: VT
Mark Aiken
Children’s Examiner Alpine Dev Team
About Me
Mark Aiken’s growing snowsports resume includes Eastern region Alpine Development team, ACE (Advanced Children’s Educator) team, Alpine L3, FS1, Snowboard L1, Telemark L1, and XC L1. An award-winning freelance writer, Mark co-wrote Teaching Children Snowsports and contributes regularly to 32 Degrees magazine along with many other publications.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | In addition to serving as an educational staff member, Mark is a professional writer. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | The first fairway at the Burlington Country Club golf course. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | The Vermont backcountry |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Professional hockey player |
Terrence Barbour
Alpine Examiner
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | Skiing is my primary passion and mountain biking is next. I love motocross but it’s very risky and expensive |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I’m a builder, mechanic, and a Mr Fix- it. I always try to fix things before I buy something new |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I’m a builder in the Spring, Summer, Fall Winter I’m a passionate skier, trainer, Examiner |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Powder Mill Park Pittsford NY |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Ski instructor at Greek Peak International Ski School |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Be passionate be sincere be caring be patient Keep yourself healthy |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Snowbird Utah late April |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Better skiing/riding and teaching is a lifelong journey where you can constantly grow and learn with the right attitude |
| What would be your personal motto? | Be kind be helpful |
| Name three words that describe you. | Determined Adventurous Helpful |
Katie Brinton
Alpine Examiner Eastern Board Vice Chair
About Me
Katie is an alpine examiner and at-large member of the PSIA-AASI-East board of directors based in southern Vermont.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I’m a proud theatre geek. My undergraduate degree is in Joint Honours Drama and English, and I once played Hamlet in a production of Hamlet at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. |
|---|---|
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I’m an editor at Ski Area Management magazine and its sister publication, Adventure Park Insider. In the winter, I am also a staff trainer and instructor at Okemo Mountain. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Okemo—so things have come rather full circle from that first day on the Ski-Wee slope. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Like many before me, I started as a children’s instructor (ages 3-6). Those first seasons involved a lot of hard work and hot cocoa, but there is nothing like ripping glades with a pack of 5 year olds. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Reading, mountain biking, dog walking, hiking, swimming, water skiing, writing, crosswords, Jeopardy. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Veterinarian, actress, astronaut, singer, zoo keeper. I ran the gamut of childhood aspirations. |
Joey Carey
Alpine Examiner Snowsports Management Committee
About Me
Joey Carey is a current Alpine examiner and the Ski & Ride School director at Sugarbush Resort. After growing up at Pats Peak in New Hampshire, and attending the University of Maine at Farmington, Joey moved out west for a stint. Spending 9 years at Copper Mountain, and two in Lake Tahoe before returning back to New England to take a position at Killington.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I went viral on tiktok with 1m views talking about Gnar. |
|---|---|
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I work at the resort full time. Outside of skiing, I’m involved in the regional outdoor recreation development for the Mad River Valley, active master planning for our bike park at the resort, and collaborating with supporting departments link rentals and mountain operations to improve our winter product experience. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | I started skiing as a baby with my parents at Pats Peak. I started teaching there when I turned 15. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Humility and people skills are more important than hot feet. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Too many favorites to list – |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Snowbird |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | The wise man considers 90% of the journey half way. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Mountain Biking Sailing Hiking Camping Doggo time |
| What would be your personal motto? | One more run. |
| Name three words that describe you. | Really good time |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | A Ski School Director |
Ali Cummings
Alpine Examiner Emeritus
About Me
Skiing is my passion. I have been fortunate enough to share that passion with skiers of all ages for many years. Being a member of the Junior Education Team, the Advanced Children’s Educators and an Examiner is an honor and has provided me with endless opportunities to connect with very special people.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I was an 11 year member of the PSIA National Junior Education Team, JETS , whose focus was on developing children snowsports education in the USA. |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I fly fish, taught at an off- road driving school and worked at a hunting lodge in Montana. I also ran a landscape garden service for many years and now have extensive perennial gardens at my farm. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am a Broker/Owner of my own Real Estate firm serving most of Vermont. Our farm in southern Vermont is a wedding venue in the summer time. And I serve as a National Association of Realtors Board of Director member. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Timber Ridge in Windham VT |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | I started my teaching career at Magic Mountain in Londonderry Vt when I was a senior in High School. I then taught at the Stratton Ski School and eventually became the program manager for the children programs at Stratton. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Master it, then mentor… Make a difference . |
Not Available
Keagan Dewey
Alpine Dev Team
Notes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | In the winters, I work as an instructor and staff trainer for the Stowe Ski and Ride School. When the snow melts, I operate an organic fruit and vegetable farm in Central Vermont. |
|---|---|
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | While I was too young to remember it, I began skiing at Woods Valley Ski Area in Westernville, NY. When I turned 16, I got my first job there as a ski instructor. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Whether it is a ski lesson, or any other social setting, it is crucial and rewarding to meet people where they are at. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Find some like-minded friends to ski with and spend as much time together on the mountain as you can. I don’t regret a single day I dropped everything else to go ski with my friends. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I enjoy playing my guitar, mountain bike rides with my dog, and cooking an elaborate meal with fresh ingredients. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | I thought I wanted to be a math teacher. Turns out I am a bit too restless for traditional classrooms, but still want to share the beauty and insight of geometry in motion. |
Maureen Drummey
Children’s Examiner Alpine Examiner
Notes
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | I learned how to ski on a small bump in Northern New Jersey called Craigmeur Ski Area. It was just up the street and we skied every day after school. |
|---|---|
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | My first job in the snowsports industry was as a ski instructor. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | The most valuable lesson I’ve learned in my snowsports career is to have fun and enjoy the great outdoors. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | My favorite memory from my career so far was teaching 5 women and every single one was from a different country. We had so much fun doing silly activities that enhanced their skills teaching them how to ski and enjoy the mountain. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | My favorite place to ski is Snowbird, Utah. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Career advice I would give to a younger person working in snowsports, is enjoy what you do and share your passion with others. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | When I am not on the snow, I enjoy boating with my friends and family, paddleboarding and hiking with my dogs. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | When I was a child, I wanted to be a marine biologist. |
Pam Greene
Alpine Examiner Emeritus
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I am an only child with eight siblings (truth). |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I was a professional chef for over 20 years. I am a certified kayak instructor and yoga instructor. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am the Executive Director of Adaptive Sports at Mount Snow (a non-profit). That is my full-time year-round job. In the winter I also do staff training for the Mount Snow Ski and Ride School as well as working PSIA events. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Snow Ridge, NY in utero. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Wherever I am with friends and snow and sunshine. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Kayak, bike, hike, practice yoga, walk my dog, and play golf (badly). |
| What would be your personal motto? | Never stop learning |
Matthew Heller
Alpine Examiner
About Me
A great ski day for me would include: teaching beginners for a half day or facilitating a clinic for new instructors about teaching beginners, and then skiing some bumps, trees or a race course with friends or family.
Notes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Summer Car detailing and rustproofing
Winter Ski and snowboard rental supervisor and alpine staff trainer |
|---|---|
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Doe Mountain in Pennsylvania |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Ski race coach |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Keep going! |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Keep going |
Mac Jackson
Alpine Examiner Emeritus Children’s Examiner Emeritus
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | My first pair of skis were made of wood with screwed on metal edges. |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I learned to tele-ski at Mad RIver Glen after being a nordic racer in hi |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | My back yard, then at Oregon Ridge (Cockeysville, Maryland) in 1960 |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | ski instructor at Ski Liberty |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | To be empathetic in the learning process for more success |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Skiing in Austria for the National Academy |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Mad River Valley (Sugarbush & Mad River Glen) Alta – Snowbird Alberg Austria |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | To be safe, have fun and share what you love about skiing/riding |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Golf, biking, |
| Name three words that describe you. | Patient, calm, supportive |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Mermer Blakeslee She told me to go for full certification when she was on Dev. Team and not listen to the examiner (told me not to go). Then became my coach from Dev. Team and beyond. She is always encouraging me to be better. I also admire her for her accomplishments. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Farmer and started farming at 15 |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | To get stronger |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | to get stronger |
Laura Jenks
Alpine Dev Team
About Me
Laura grew up in Hartland Vermont and ski raced for Suicide Six, now known as Sascadena Six. After College she became a race coach and art teacher and worked for various independent clubs and schools around the country. She took a job at Green Mountain Valley School in 2014 and has called the Mad River Valley home since then. Since 2017, Laura has been working to develop her coaching and skiing across all areas of the ski world by being involved in the Ski and Ride School at Sugarbush Resort, and now as a member of the Development Team for PSIA.
Sue Kramer
Alpine + Children’s Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeAlpine Examiner Coach
About Me
This will be my 37th winter in the snowsports industry and I’ve been a member since 1988. I still love to share this passion with others. It has taken me all over the world and after hundreds of thousands of turns, I am still seeking that perfect one!
Dave Rayboud
Alpine Examiner
Notes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | During the winter I am a Ski & Ride School Supervisor and Staff Trainer at Stowe Mountain Resort, and a member of the PSIA-E Education Staff. During the summer I can be found doing many jobs, but they mainly revolve around working on cars, creating online content, and carpentry/landscaping work. |
|---|---|
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | I grew up in England, so my first time on skis was indoors! My first real taste of skiing was in Park City, UT though. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | There’s A LOT of technical information out there. The best skiers know how to self coach; the ability to take nugget of information and explore and experiment with it on their own time. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Never stop learning. I learn something new every day I put on my skis. Even if it’s only 1 run down the bunny slope, I make sure I walk away with something. It doesn’t always have to be positive or a big ah-ha moment. It could be as simple as “today I wore the wrong lenses” or “hop turns are really difficult in fresh snow”. I say this because when faced with making a similar decision down the line you have some beta to go off of. This information can be become invaluable come exam time. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | When I’m not skiing, I can usually be found creating content for social media, working on my cars or mountain biking. |
| What would be your personal motto? | “Figure it out”. You’re not always going to get given the answers. This can ring true when talking about skiing. Sometimes you just need to figure things out for yourself. And looking back in history, if people stopped figuring stuff out, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Remember, nearly everything you do in life someone did for the very first time once. They just figured it out! |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Make the ATP!! |
Keri Reid
PSIA-AASI Eastern Director of Education and Programs Alpine Steering Committee Chair, AASI + Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office
About Me
Originally from the Montreal area, Keri grew up skiing at small resorts with her family in St-Donat, Quebec. After achieving her Canadian Ski Instructor’s Alliance Alpine (CSIA) Level III, she took her passion abroad, to Queenstown, New Zealand. The experienced launched five years of back-to-back winters that took Keri from Canada, to New Zealand, the US, Japan and back again.
Notes
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I am bilingual, French/English |
|---|---|
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Hiking, mountain biking, running (after my two children), good food in good company, and creating art. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Junior Ski Instructor, age 14 at Ski La Reserve in St-Donat Quebec. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Keep stepping out of your comfort zone, that’s where the growth happens. |
Kristi Robertson
Alpine Examiner
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I’ve been teaching skiing at Stowe for 45 years. |
|---|---|
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I’ve owned a gardening business for 30 years. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | The learning never stops and no matter your age you can still make improvements and continue to get better. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Making Dev team, I was a single mom and wasn’t sure where I stood amongst my peers. |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | My daughter, she is a strong, smart, independent woman and the mother of my incredible loving grandchildren. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Help more people learn to enjoy this sport as much as I do. Ski more for fun. |
Keith Rodney
Telemark + Alpine + Children’s Examiner Nordic Steering Committee + TM CoachTelemark National Team member
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I believe the best way to focus training is on becoming YOUR best self. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am firstly a telemark instructor, then a children’s instructor and lastly an alpine instructor. I would say that I am passionate about all of them. So really, I am an instructor who slides in many worlds. Off Season I build cabinets, furniture and do home restorations. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | My first experience on snow is with the Nashoba Valley ski/ride area back in 1978 i believe. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | My first job was with the Sugarbush resort on volunteer patrol in 1989. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | My best memory to date is of Interski 2023 Levi Finland. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Best place to ski is with friend and family anywhere they want to play. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Get out and train as often as you can. The more education you have the better skilled you will be at your job and the more fund you can have even when working. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I send a lot of time on my SUP both for fun and relaxation and for competition. When I am not on my board paddling I work on staying as fit as possible by Biking (both road, mountain), in-line skating, Running, to name a few. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Keep moving forward! Never give up, you never know if the next time you will be successful. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | I am hoping to make my second term on the PSIA-AASI National Team. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Continue with the National Team as long as I’m able. Become the discipline coach at the local or national level for PSIA-AASI. |
Ilya Stein
Alpine Dev Team
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I was born in Russia. |
|---|---|
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am a Guidance Counselor at Bennington High School |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | My first job in the snow sports industry was at Okemo in Ludlow, VT. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Palisades Tahoe |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Take advantage of all the free training and education and don’t forget to have fun along the way. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I love whitewater canoeing and disc golf. |
| Name three words that describe you. | Fun, energetic, passionate. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | I would like to become an examiner. |
Doug Stewart
Alpine Examiner
Notes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am the manager for the new J Skis retail store with a bar and lounge in Burlington, VT. This is after a 20 year career selling and fitting ski boots. In the summer, I try to get on inline skates as much as possible to keep the skiing alive. |
|---|---|
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | At 16, I started teaching as a Junior Instructor at Liberty Mountain in PA after skiing there my whole life. I was first paid to teach two years later as an instructor at Stowe Mountain Resort in VT, and still teach there many years later. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | If you put in the effort and time required, you can achieve whatever you want. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Slide and teach a lot! Cross training is great, but actual time on snow is the best. Find ways to minimize the off season with trips to the Southern Hemisphere or skiing inside now that we have that option! |
Ezequiel Usle
Alpine Examiner
About Me
My name is Ezequiel Usle, but everyone call me Eze. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and learned how to ski in Bariloche. I am the Adult School & Training Manager at Stratton Mountain. I have been fortunate enough to ski in 5 continents and I am looking to complete the list one day!
- The results are being filtered by the region: VT
Not Available
Dara Aber-Ferri
Children’s Examiner
About Me
Dara grew up hiking, biking and skiing with her family in the Shawangunk Mountains. She enjoys backpacking and has recently completed a through hike of Vermont’s Long Trail. She likes to work in fields where she can share her passion for the outdoors with others. Dara loves winter and to ski, preferably in the woods, and teach in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Mark Aiken
Children’s Examiner Alpine Dev Team
About Me
Mark Aiken’s growing snowsports resume includes Eastern region Alpine Development team, ACE (Advanced Children’s Educator) team, Alpine L3, FS1, Snowboard L1, Telemark L1, and XC L1. An award-winning freelance writer, Mark co-wrote Teaching Children Snowsports and contributes regularly to 32 Degrees magazine along with many other publications.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | In addition to serving as an educational staff member, Mark is a professional writer. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | The first fairway at the Burlington Country Club golf course. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | The Vermont backcountry |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Professional hockey player |
Maureen Drummey
Children’s Examiner Alpine Examiner
Notes
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | I learned how to ski on a small bump in Northern New Jersey called Craigmeur Ski Area. It was just up the street and we skied every day after school. |
|---|---|
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | My first job in the snowsports industry was as a ski instructor. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | The most valuable lesson I’ve learned in my snowsports career is to have fun and enjoy the great outdoors. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | My favorite memory from my career so far was teaching 5 women and every single one was from a different country. We had so much fun doing silly activities that enhanced their skills teaching them how to ski and enjoy the mountain. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | My favorite place to ski is Snowbird, Utah. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Career advice I would give to a younger person working in snowsports, is enjoy what you do and share your passion with others. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | When I am not on the snow, I enjoy boating with my friends and family, paddleboarding and hiking with my dogs. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | When I was a child, I wanted to be a marine biologist. |
Greg Fatigate
Snowboard + Children’s Examiner Snowboard Examiner CoachSnowsports Management Committee
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I had a stage acting stint in college, and I’m very accurate throwing a snowball |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | Ametuer karaoke performer, snow cat operator, hobby homesteader |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Independent business owner: Rabbit tracks trail works.
Training manager, Smugglers Notch Resort |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Woodbury ski area, Woodbury Ct |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Instructor, Mohawk Mtn Ct |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Meet people physically and mentally where they are at |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | AASI National team tryouts, 2016 & 2021 |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Where ever I am |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Making this a career is possible, but also tricky. It’s worth it |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Mountain Biking, Skateboarding, gardening, |
| What would be your personal motto? | Send it |
| Name three words that describe you. | Ask. Someone. Else |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | My Wife Shawna. She can teach anyone |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Baseball player |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Continue to learn |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Continue to learn |
Mac Jackson
Alpine Examiner Emeritus Children’s Examiner Emeritus
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | My first pair of skis were made of wood with screwed on metal edges. |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I learned to tele-ski at Mad RIver Glen after being a nordic racer in hi |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | My back yard, then at Oregon Ridge (Cockeysville, Maryland) in 1960 |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | ski instructor at Ski Liberty |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | To be empathetic in the learning process for more success |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Skiing in Austria for the National Academy |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Mad River Valley (Sugarbush & Mad River Glen) Alta – Snowbird Alberg Austria |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | To be safe, have fun and share what you love about skiing/riding |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Golf, biking, |
| Name three words that describe you. | Patient, calm, supportive |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Mermer Blakeslee She told me to go for full certification when she was on Dev. Team and not listen to the examiner (told me not to go). Then became my coach from Dev. Team and beyond. She is always encouraging me to be better. I also admire her for her accomplishments. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Farmer and started farming at 15 |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | To get stronger |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | to get stronger |
Sue Kramer
Alpine + Children’s Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeAlpine Examiner Coach
About Me
This will be my 37th winter in the snowsports industry and I’ve been a member since 1988. I still love to share this passion with others. It has taken me all over the world and after hundreds of thousands of turns, I am still seeking that perfect one!
Keith Rodney
Telemark + Alpine + Children’s Examiner Nordic Steering Committee + TM CoachTelemark National Team member
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I believe the best way to focus training is on becoming YOUR best self. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am firstly a telemark instructor, then a children’s instructor and lastly an alpine instructor. I would say that I am passionate about all of them. So really, I am an instructor who slides in many worlds. Off Season I build cabinets, furniture and do home restorations. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | My first experience on snow is with the Nashoba Valley ski/ride area back in 1978 i believe. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | My first job was with the Sugarbush resort on volunteer patrol in 1989. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | My best memory to date is of Interski 2023 Levi Finland. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Best place to ski is with friend and family anywhere they want to play. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Get out and train as often as you can. The more education you have the better skilled you will be at your job and the more fund you can have even when working. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I send a lot of time on my SUP both for fun and relaxation and for competition. When I am not on my board paddling I work on staying as fit as possible by Biking (both road, mountain), in-line skating, Running, to name a few. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Keep moving forward! Never give up, you never know if the next time you will be successful. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | I am hoping to make my second term on the PSIA-AASI National Team. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Continue with the National Team as long as I’m able. Become the discipline coach at the local or national level for PSIA-AASI. |
Tim Shannon
Children’s Examiner Snowboard Dev Team
Notes
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | Avid Surfer, Mountain Biker, and Stand Up Paddleboarder, and apparently pretty good with computer software systems. |
|---|---|
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Senior Manager of Snowsports and Youth Programs at the Hermitage Club, Part Time Raft with Zoar Outdoor, Trails Advocacy and Management Organization Volunteer with SoVTA. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Jack Frost Mtn, PA |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Instructor at Jack Frost, PA |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Learning occurs during your highest highs and your lowest lows, and sometimes the feed back you need most hurts to hear. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Rider Rally 2017, a late season snowstorm in April really intensified the excitement. I’ll never forget hiking to the top of A-Basin in the howling wind. National Team member Brennan Metzler lead the charge dropping in off the peak into a powder-filled chute. This trip was my first time out west since becoming an instructor and I was on a line that I only ever dreamt of riding. Sweetening the pot was getting to watch a group of friends, new and old, and from near and far absolutely rip some of the most amazing lines of my lifetime. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Anywhere there’s trees, rollers, steeps, or something funky to jib. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Explore, find people that have a similar passion as you, and don’t take for granted the terrain you have at home. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Don’t just do, seek to understand how and why. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | In elementary school I wanted to be a professional baseball player. A 0.0 batting average in middle school paints the picture for how that was going to turn out. I then set my goals on being a professional Snowboarder. Turns out, I don’t love the heat of competition. |
- The results are being filtered by the region: VT
Todd Ainsworth
Snowboard Examiner AASI Steering CommitteeSnowboard Teams Coach
About Me
I began teaching in Australia in 2005 and have taught in West Virginia, Vermont, Colorado, New Mexico and New Zealand since then. In the off season I spend my time as a commercial driver and traveling the world for fun. In my spare time during the season you can find me at any resort that has good steep pitch or a halfpipe. I’ll happily take a lap with anyone you just have to find me.
Notes
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Perisher Blue, Australia |
|---|
Holly Andersen
Snowboard Examiner Adaptive Examiner
About Me
I am a lover of all things outside. I fell in love with snowboarding and teaching at a young age. Over time, my commitment has only grown. I believe that every person that wants to be on the mountain should be able to.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | Both of my daughters have initials that are snowboard tricks– JIB&CAB. |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I love to fish, snowboard, shoot trap, and be in the water. I am a quilter and like to paint. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am the Director of Facilities Management and Operations at the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union. I am in charge of all the construction, facilities, food service, and transportation for two high schools, one middle school, and seven elementary schools. I most recently spent the last thirteen years running all capital construction projects at Bennington College and continue to work at Bennington with sustainability reporting. I began working at the Hermitage, and continue to volunteer at the adaptive programs at Bromley and Mount Snow. I am the PTA president of my daughters elementary school. Most importantly, I am JIB and CAB’s mom. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Greek Peak in central NY. My father worked part time on nights and weekends. My mother volunteered at the adaptive program. I grew up teaching skiing, then snowboarding. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | I asked Terry Barbour when I was 15 if I could try out for New Hire. He let me and hired me to teach both skiing and snowboarding. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Everyday is a gift. Anything is possible. We are all lucky beyond measure. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | How could I pick just one? There are so many. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Anywhere and everywhere. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Take care of your feet! I can not tell you how many times I have frostbitten my toes. They hurt, even in the summer. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I love to garden, house projects, and puzzles. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Best. Day. Ever! |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Kim Seevers. How could I not? She is awesome at everything she does. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Snowboard Examiner. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Get on the snow as much as possible and finish my CS2. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | I would really like to train and take the Level 3 Alpine exam. It has always been on my list. |
Tony Bailey
Snowboard Examiner
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I was a roadie for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones from 1996 to 2003. |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I can hold my breath for 4 minutes. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I manage the bike park at Stratton in the summer and manage the non-competitive alpine seasonal programs in the winter. I also volunteer with the local high school as a mountain bike coach. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Snowboard Instructor at Plattekill on a really part-time basis during my senior year of college. I convinced my advisor to give me college credit for teaching and I got paid.
It was my first year as a full-time snowboard instructor at Bromley after I graduated college that really hooked me and I’ve been full-time in the industry ever since. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I had a stint as a professional hockey player in the early 90’s. I got a pretty bad injury and hung up the skates, went to law school, and put all my time and energy into winning cases. At one point I got in some trouble with the law and was given court-ordered community service where I had to coach a recreational peewee hockey team. I thought it was me who would be helping these kids but it turned out that they ended up helping me. We went from a ragtag group of misfits to winning the championship over the course of one season. We all learned how to fly together. |
| What would be your personal motto? | “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky” – Michael Scott |
Ian Boyle
Snowboard Examiner
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I have lived in winter for more months of my life than any other season. |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I sing and play guitar |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Downhill Bike Coach Roofing |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Mountain Creek, Vernon NJ |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Jr Instructor |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Patience is a Virtue |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Playing music, biking, socializing |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | An astronaut |
Toby Burrows
Snowboard Examiner
Notes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Skier Services Training Manager at Mount Snow during the winter and Lead Camp Counselor at Mount Snow Outdoor Exploration Camp during the summer. |
|---|---|
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Friends Backyard-thanks for the concussion Hazelet. The first resort I ever went to was Peekn’ Peak. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Part time Snowboard Instructor |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Knowledge comes with experience. Listen carefully and Learn from someone else’s experiences. It will help you get there faster. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Too many to pick just one: Friends making National Team, Friends making Ed Staff, students hitting their goals, many more to come. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Whatever trail my wife is on. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Take yourself seriously, but not too seriously. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Being Dad. Riding bikes, BMX and mtb. Skateboarding poorly. Following my kids through the woods on adventures. |
| What would be your personal motto? | When you forget the words, just sing louder!!! |
| Name three words that describe you. | Live, Love, Laugh. |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Mark Marino- one of the friendliest, most genuine people I have ever met. Helped me at every step along my journey. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | BMX photographer. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | I make a list of goals every season. Some are tricks some are clinic related. My goal is to hit those goals. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Shred the mountain with my wife and children. |
Shaun Cattanach
Snowboard Examiner
Notes
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Winter Park, CO |
|---|---|
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Teaching snowboarding at Purgatory, CO |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Patience. Teaching people something new, especially back when the equipment was questionable forced me to be patient. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | One of them is training the first wave of snowboard instructors in China. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Japan, closely followed by interior British Columbia. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Do it for the passion because this career will not make you wealthy. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Mountain biking and golf. |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | J Randy Price. He was my first mentor in the industry and showed me what could be possible. |
Brian Donovan
Snowboard Examiner AASI CoordinatorAASI Steering Committee
Notes
| is an interesting fact about you? | I come from a family that never skied or snowboarded. I was the black sheep and it has completely shaped my life and career. |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I used to be pretty okay at playing soccer, and I can still terrorize a rec league from time-to-time. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | PSIA-AASI Snowboard National Team member, Snowboard Instructor and Trainer, AASI Examiner, and AASI-E Advisor for Education. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Peek’n Peak Resort in Western New York State |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Full-Time Snowboard Instructor |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | The goals of your student are way more important than the milestones that you think they need to achieve (i.e. beginners don’t need to get dialed at turning in their first lesson…they need to have fun and want to come back!) |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Making the 2021 PSIA-AASI Snowboard National Team. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | To me: It’s more about the crew than the location…I’m more passionate about having the proper group of friends to ride with than worried about the place. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Picking a mountain to work at is more about the people and the culture than anything else. Pick a mountain with a rad group of co-workers and a great community and you won’t regret it! |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Mountain biking, skateboarding, watching baseball games, live music, playing soccer, and hunting. |
| What would be your personal motto? | They should keep score in tee-ball games…I learned life lessons about hard work, being competitive, and how to deal with losing and setbacks as a kid from playing sports and keeping score. |
| Name three words that describe you. | Loves to compete! |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Tom Vickery – I learn something from that man every time I’m around him. He challenges me to continually improve. Thank you Tom! |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | A cowboy…in fact, I assumed if you lived in “The West”, that it was still the wild west frontier with cowboys, saloons, and the whole works. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Represent PSIA-AASI well at InterSki 2023 in Levi, Finland. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | I’d like to be selected to the 2024 PSIA-AASI Snowboard National Team. |
Terry Duffield
Snowboard Examiner AASI Steering Committee
About Me
I have been snowboarding since 1985 and snowskating since 1994. I have been part of PSIA-AASI since 1990 and on Staff since 1996. I have been part of snowboard education since its onset and have helped grow the sport for over 37 years.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | Still hold the snowboard speed record at Hunter Mtn. |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | Too many to count |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Run a beverage business in NYC year round. Coach in a seasonal kids program Mtn. Riders at Stratton Mtn. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Hunter Mtn. in the 70’s |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Snowboard instructor at Hunter Mtn. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | You never know who is behind you until they are in front of you! |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Gore Mtn. Level 2-3. IYKYK |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | White Water BC, Baldface or Jackson Hole |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Enjoy all the people this sport will allow you to meet as they will allow you to have a great life. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Spending time with my kids in all water sports, hiking an mtn. biking. |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Craig Kelly for being the pro that inspired me to ride and then showing us all that the back country is all that matters. Terje Haackenson for being to cool to go the Olympics and snow skating as hard as any human being can. Not to mention Terje was Craig Kelly’s padwan learner. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | I want to be able to take my 6 & 9 year old out in back country. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | To have my kids guide me in the back country. |
Greg Fatigate
Snowboard + Children’s Examiner Snowboard Examiner CoachSnowsports Management Committee
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I had a stage acting stint in college, and I’m very accurate throwing a snowball |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | Ametuer karaoke performer, snow cat operator, hobby homesteader |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Independent business owner: Rabbit tracks trail works.
Training manager, Smugglers Notch Resort |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Woodbury ski area, Woodbury Ct |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Instructor, Mohawk Mtn Ct |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Meet people physically and mentally where they are at |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | AASI National team tryouts, 2016 & 2021 |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Where ever I am |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Making this a career is possible, but also tricky. It’s worth it |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Mountain Biking, Skateboarding, gardening, |
| What would be your personal motto? | Send it |
| Name three words that describe you. | Ask. Someone. Else |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | My Wife Shawna. She can teach anyone |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Baseball player |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Continue to learn |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Continue to learn |
Ted Fleischer
Snowboard Examiner Emeritus
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | My kids and I have built an 800ft rope-tow serviced terrain park in our backyard. 40+ features including 16ft wall-ride and 20ft boat jib. Fully lighted for night riding and equipped with speakers for music. It has become the local Varsity HS Snowboard Team practice venue. |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | Brevity. …ask anyone. 😉 |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Special Events Manager at Jay Peak resort. In addition to all on-snow events and weekly activities, I’m tasked with contracting artists and running all of our music series’ including Apres, Winter Ballroom concerts, and our 3000 seat Amphitheater. |
Steven Franklin
Snowboard Examiner
About Me
I’m a freestyle aficionado who calls Northern VT home. When I’m not on the hill you can find me sinking putts on the golf course or building snowboards at Burton’s Craig Kelly Prototype Facility. Its not easy being steezy, just remember; less fashion, more slashin!
KC Gandee
Snowboard Examiner
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I served on the AASI National Team 2004-2008 and then was not selected at the 2008 tryout. While this shook me to the core at first, it lead to my current career path which has allowed me to coach some great kids and help them accomplish their dreams of making the US Snowboard Team. |
|---|---|
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I’m the snowboard program and ski cross program director at Gould Academy, near Sunday River Maine. I also work as a US Snowboard Coach Developer (like our examiners) and as a US SBX Development Group coach for the US Team at World Cup competitions as well as coach special projects like Project Gold invitational camps for the US Team. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | I’d give a younger person the advice I’m constantly trying to follow: approach situations with more curiosity than confidence. Listen to understand rather than listening to win. |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Tom Vickery and Ted Fleischer are absolute legends and I try to be my own version of them each day.
Holly Andersen and Amy Bailey have found ways to rise above the patriarchy and I admire the hell out of that. |
Thomas Mulligan
Snowboard Examiner Education Committee Member
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | That I enjoy working! |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I can play the tuba |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | In both winter and summer I am a carpenter, along being an instructor and trainer. In the summer I will raft guide a few weekends during the summer. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Behind my elementary school was where I first got to try snowboarding with my friends. Our Focus was hitting a jump we built ourselves. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | My first job was volunteering and being an instructors apprentice. My first paying job in the snowsports industry was a tubing attendant pushing people down the hill. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | My most valuable lesson learned is to stick with it and keep trying. Whether it happened to be a lesson that didn’t go well or being unsuccessful at a certification or try out. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | My favorite memory is the multiple adventures at the end of the work day with friends whether it was a session, multiple laps or getting lost in the woods. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Sugarbush or somewhere with transition features |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Keep it fun! It will keep it enjoyable and good things will come out of it |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | When I am not on snow, I enjoy working and building stuff, Mountain biking occasionally, whitewater kayaking and rafting. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Work smart work harder |
| Name three words that describe you. | funny, easy going, nerd |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Mr Brian Donovan, he was a great roommate, super fun, and funny. The amount of work he can do and still have a lot of fun is inspiring and impressive. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | I wanted to be a firefighter and drive the trucks. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Get to Snowboard in a few more states, try cross country skiing, and tele. Get confidence on a mountain bike and skateboard |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Snowboard in the Midwest, Buy another House, Snowboard in all the eastern division states. |
Tim Shannon
Children’s Examiner Snowboard Dev Team
Notes
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | Avid Surfer, Mountain Biker, and Stand Up Paddleboarder, and apparently pretty good with computer software systems. |
|---|---|
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Senior Manager of Snowsports and Youth Programs at the Hermitage Club, Part Time Raft with Zoar Outdoor, Trails Advocacy and Management Organization Volunteer with SoVTA. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Jack Frost Mtn, PA |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Instructor at Jack Frost, PA |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Learning occurs during your highest highs and your lowest lows, and sometimes the feed back you need most hurts to hear. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Rider Rally 2017, a late season snowstorm in April really intensified the excitement. I’ll never forget hiking to the top of A-Basin in the howling wind. National Team member Brennan Metzler lead the charge dropping in off the peak into a powder-filled chute. This trip was my first time out west since becoming an instructor and I was on a line that I only ever dreamt of riding. Sweetening the pot was getting to watch a group of friends, new and old, and from near and far absolutely rip some of the most amazing lines of my lifetime. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Anywhere there’s trees, rollers, steeps, or something funky to jib. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Explore, find people that have a similar passion as you, and don’t take for granted the terrain you have at home. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Don’t just do, seek to understand how and why. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | In elementary school I wanted to be a professional baseball player. A 0.0 batting average in middle school paints the picture for how that was going to turn out. I then set my goals on being a professional Snowboarder. Turns out, I don’t love the heat of competition. |
Burleigh Sunflower
Snowboard Examiner
Notes
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I play the bagpipes |
|---|---|
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I work full-time year round as a strategic account manager for Inntopia a booking software used by the majority of the snowsports resort industry. I also co-own a small Farm and Garden retail store with my spouse which she runs. Somehow I also teach snowboarding part-time. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Camelback Ski Area… where I ditched my instructor because she made fun of the hat my uncle got me from Jackson Hole. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Blue Mountain, PA… the most awesome ski resort ever. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Good skiers/snowboarders can’t actually ski well on ice… they just make it look like they can. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Passing my snowboard Level 3 Assessment. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Stowe. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Switch to snowboarding only. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Playing rugby, watching TV and drinking craft IPA’s. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Fat is fast. |
| Name three words that describe you. | Sarcastic Casual Distracted |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Tony Bailey. Because he’s awesome. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | A teacher. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Not get injured. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Also, not get injured. |
- The results are being filtered by the region: VT
Karen Dalury
Telemark Examiner Nordic Steering Committee
Notes
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I am an accomplished SUP instructor and racer. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I teach fitness, yoga and pilates. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Blandford MA |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Full time instructor at Vail CO 1976. |
Bruce Hennessey
Telemark Examiner
About Me
Bruce Hennessey was working as an educator and wilderness guide before creating Maple Wind Farm in Huntington, VT in 1999 with his partner, Beth Whiting. A pasture-based diversified livestock operation, the farm produces 100% grass-fed beef, pasture-raised non-GMO pork, broiler chickens, eggs and turkeys. The farm also operates a certified organic, small USDA inspected meat processing enterprise that slaughters poultry and processes pork for area farms as well as their own. Maple Wind’s mission is to promote the health and welfare of our community, through providing the highest quality pasture-raised products, through regenerating soil and water resources. Bruce is the COO of MWF and is a past president of both the Vermont Grass Farmers Association (VGFA), and the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA). A former climbing and ski guide in the Tetons of Wyoming, Bruce continues to lead groups into backcountry areas throughout North America.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | For several winters I was a dogsled guide on Togwotee Pass in Western Wyoming. I was the first, and as far as I know, the only, musher to have their dogs and sled arrive into Brooks Lake Lodge without clients or musher aboard! |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I originally went to college for music as a French Horn and voice major. As a classically trained vocalist, I have performed in music theater and opera productions. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | My partner Beth and I run Maple Wind Farm in Richmond, VT which is a pasture-based diversified livestock operation producing pasture-raised eggs, chicken, pork and turkey, and 100% grass fed beef. We also have a small USDA meat processing plant on farm. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | At the Powdermilk Park rope tow near Rochester, NY! |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | I was a junior instructor at Bristol Mountain, NY in 1978. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | I have learned that looking at movements, tactics and teaching styles from a “right vs. wrong” mindset is much less effective than focusing on strengths of clients/instructors and building effectiveness through those strengths. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | 9 day wilderness-based Advanced Backcountry Accreditation in the Tetons. Spectacular group, conditions and deep learning. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Teton backcountry |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Focus on improving your people and teaching skills, and treat exams as personal improvement opportunities rather than stressful performance tests. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Mtn Biking, Hiking, Rock/Ice/Mountain Climbing. |
| What would be your personal motto? | All problems are people problems. Focus on relationships and community for success. |
| Name three words that describe you. | Kind, Respectful, Enthusiastic |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Keith Rodney. Through many years of failing to attain certain levels (in multiple disciplines), he stuck with the process and constantly improved to reach the telemark national team. Despite many setbacks he kept a positive approach and just improved every day and every season. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Astronaut |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Explore at least 3 new backcountry zones. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Retire and spend a ski season off piste in the Alps. |
Keith Rodney
Telemark + Alpine + Children’s Examiner Nordic Steering Committee + TM CoachTelemark National Team member
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I believe the best way to focus training is on becoming YOUR best self. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am firstly a telemark instructor, then a children’s instructor and lastly an alpine instructor. I would say that I am passionate about all of them. So really, I am an instructor who slides in many worlds. Off Season I build cabinets, furniture and do home restorations. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | My first experience on snow is with the Nashoba Valley ski/ride area back in 1978 i believe. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | My first job was with the Sugarbush resort on volunteer patrol in 1989. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | My best memory to date is of Interski 2023 Levi Finland. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Best place to ski is with friend and family anywhere they want to play. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Get out and train as often as you can. The more education you have the better skilled you will be at your job and the more fund you can have even when working. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I send a lot of time on my SUP both for fun and relaxation and for competition. When I am not on my board paddling I work on staying as fit as possible by Biking (both road, mountain), in-line skating, Running, to name a few. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Keep moving forward! Never give up, you never know if the next time you will be successful. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | I am hoping to make my second term on the PSIA-AASI National Team. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Continue with the National Team as long as I’m able. Become the discipline coach at the local or national level for PSIA-AASI. |