PSIA-AASI

Where did you grow up? Anchorage, AK (really)

How long have you worked for PSIA-AASI? Since July 1989. I started as the marketing director and worked my way up.

Other creds: Taught at Mt. Alyeska, Alaska, from 1983 to 1988; Snoqualmie, Washington, from 1988 to 1989; and Winter Park, Colorado, after that. Earned Level III alpine certification in 1988 and served as Alaska Division president from 1986 to 1988. Earned Certified Association Executive credentials in 2003. Named to ASAE's 2010 class of Fellows.

What's your favorite personal item in your office? A framed ad that was a gift from Stu Rempel (then at Olin Skis), quoting Smooth Johnson: “I think Americans are the greatest skiers on earth. Alaskans are great, but Americans, they’re the best.”

What’s your favorite daily ritual at work? Ritual implies routine, and there is nothing routine about coming to work for PSIA-AASI. So, checking out what’s happening in everyone else’s world is the best part of the day.

Other faves:
- Travel destination: Way too many to claim
- Current TV show: Sci-fi is my guilty pleasure, so Heroes and the new Battlestar Galactica are in.
- Movie: Still working through the list
- Sports team: Anchorage Glacier Pilots
- Board game: Balderdash
- Food: Anything except classic British cuisine
- Beverage: A great Zin or a Tanqueray and Tonic (a gift from the British)
- Color: Red
- Run: Classified
- Off-mountain restaurant: Sushi Den in Denver

What’s something that not many people know about you? That I sat in one night with a band (playing trumpet) that was separated from the audience by chicken wire, just like in The Blues Brothers. The bar was Chilkoot Charlie’s (“Where We Cheat the Other Guy and Pass the Savings On to You”).

What would you say to someone not involved in snowsports to encourage him or her to try skiing or riding? There’s nothing cooler or more liberating to do on your own or with your family and friends.

What do you typically eat for breakfast? Coffee

What song title best describes a typical day of work at PSIA-AASI? “The House is Rockin’" or “Crossfire.” Who’s tougher than Stevie Ray Vaughn?

Who are your favorite bands or musicians? Dave Brubeck, Frank Zappa, Maynard Ferguson, Steely Dan, Vivaldi, Oingo Boingo, Zero 7, the list goes on. The home music mother ship has more than 7,500 selections.

Coolest place you have ever been: Standing on the Great Wall of China while quenching my thirst with a local malt beverage.

What’s your best snowsports memory? Several come to mind. Taking my dad skiing in France, followed closely by going on trail sweep at an unnamed area (it’s amazing how quiet an area is when the lifts aren’t running). Or the 4-foot powder day in Japan, with only five of us on the run for the first couple of hours. Or maybe being first down the bowl off the Road to Provo after a 3-foot dump.

Top three off-snow activities:
1) Talking over “what-ifs” with my wife
2) Teasing my young-adult stepkids
3) Getting back into biking and golf

I like meeting . . .  anyone and everyone associated with skiing and riding, because people from all walks of life come to the mountains and we’re privileged to belong to such a cool club.

Describe your first ski/ride outfit: That goes back wayyyyy too far. Let’s not even discuss when Neoprene ski pants were en vogue.

What’s your favorite flavor of Lifesaver? Cherry

What’s your snowsports goal? Continue to infuse the stoke.