2009 Board of Directors Elections

Join the NRM Board and participate in planning the direction of your division.

Ballots will be mailed to all NRM members in good-standing the last week of February. Deadline for returning ballots is March 31, 2009. Ballots will then be tallied and results will be made available on the PSIA-NRM website by April 15, 2009. 

Candidate Statements:

Anthony Brown

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, and to express my interest in joining the board of directors PSIA Northern Rocky Mountain Division.

I would like to join the board of directors for numerous reasons, paramount among them is giving back to an organization that has renewed my love of the outdoors and re-experiencing the joy of a sport I have had the pleasure to partake in for the last 35 years. To introduce myself a little history is in order. I am native to the state. I grew up skiing at Teton Pass outside Choteau. I worked at the area in ski instruction, maintenance, and management. I spent 8 years in the retail part of the ski industry selling hard goods and fitting boots. (Chalet Sports and Roundhouse). I have recently become involved in ski education again at Bridger Bowl. I have a degree in conservation biology from ASU. I have been self employed as a carpenter and general contractor for the last 15 years.

What I bring to the board is a commitment to helping where I am needed and able. I have a well defined sense of what it takes to build success in business. I am a builder of consensus. I thrive in situations that require one to think outside the box. I believe the best solutions are in general hard earned and tempered in the fires of controversy. I very much enjoy dealing with people that are passionate about what they do. I believe in open and honest communication. I have the experience that is required in the professional world to bring strong communication skills to the board. I look forward to working with the professionals in this industry, and help where I am able to build a stronger organization.

Thank you for your consideration.

Anthony Brown

 

Shannon Griffin

At the age of 14 I was first introduced into the world of "ski school" when my mother became a instructor at Bridger Bowl and I would show up to line-ups to see if she was free to go skiing with me. When she was available, I got my first introduction into movement analysis on the chair rides, watching the passing skiers and seeing how certain movements affected their skis. My analytical mind loved it! When I finally was old enough to be hired, it was great to put my knowledge into use and help kids and adults change their skiing by the cause and affect relationship I had learned to see.

In the past few years my passion for improving my own skiing and teaching ability has grown: when clinics or events are available, I try to go on them just to absorb the wisdom that is in our division and from outside our division. Whether I am at the National Academy, traveling to other divisions, or skiing here in our division I enjoy skiing with other instructors to learn from them. I love to attempt to change my own skiing on demand (an eluding process sometimes) or learn a new progression or a different way of looking at a certain concept. Wherever there is something to improve or learn I like to be there.

So why run for the board of directors? I am a perpetual student who loves to geek out on skiing and I don't mind admitting it. While I know I would like to take my own teaching and skiing to a higher level, I would also like to help other people take their teaching and skiing to a higher level. I believe I could give good input and be an advocate for those who are trying to achieve a higher level of certification and those who are trying to improve in their own instructing abilities. And because I enjoy working in a group atmosphere, I take great interest in what others think and strive to facilitate their needs for the benefit of all.

Sincerely,
Shannon Griffin

 

Jennifer Guenther

My name is Jennifer Guenther. Please consider me the PSIA/ AASI-NRM board. 

Eight winters ago I joined the Big Sky Resort Snowsports team. I am a PSIA-NRM Level II certified alpine instructor, Level I telemark instructor and Accredited Children’s Educator. In addition, I was the Assistant Children’s Ski School manager at Big Sky Resort for two seasons. 

I am incredibly passionate about the sport of skiing, and even more passionate about teaching others. When I joined the world of Snowsports teaching, I simply wanted to share my love of the mountain environment and sliding on snow with others. Skiing taught me determination, dedication and humility, characteristics that I will bring to the secretary position. I enjoy sharing these life lessons with others as well as watching development and knowing that they are having fun in our winter environment.

In addition to working at the Snowsports School, I am the Assistant Payroll Manager at Big Sky Resort. In this job I get to excel at my rather compulsive organization skills. Communication is one of my many strengths, and I will make sure that you are in the know, all of the time. For example, I revolutionized the Big Sky Resort Payroll organization. I recently took on the publishing of the Big Sky Resort employee newsletter and am excellent at compiling information. Please consider me for the PSIA/ AASI-NRM board. Thank you.

 

Sara Smith

Hi Division,

My name is Sara Smith and I have been in this division since 1990. I am presently an alpine clinician within the division and hold certification in both nordic and snowboarding. I have served on the board for one term and am interested in one more. I am a licensed CPA in the state of Montana.

Thanks,
Sara

 

Neil Johnson

Neil was a write-in candidate, he submitted this statement after he became elected.

Dear NRM Members,

Hello NRM!  My name is Neil Johnson and I would like to thank everyone for supporting me in the recent election for Board of Directors.  For those of you I have not yet met, I have worked at Big Sky Resort as an instructor for the past seven years and was hired to the NRM alpine education staff as a clinician in 2007 and as an examiner in 2008.  During last years Fall Fest I joined the division’s multi disciplined children’s education team and became involved in discussions on how to create a freestyle accreditation program that is fitting for our division. 

I have been teaching students of all ages during my years as an instructor.  I have enjoyed watching the young students year after year grow taller, smarter, and more mature, while at the same time improve in their skiing (or snowboarding) and become wonderful people.  It is also an amazing experience to help teach an older student new tricks and skills that keep them having fun.  These are the reasons why I wanted to become part of the group that gets to help mold and shape our division. 

Over the next few years I look forward to working with the other board members and taking on the continual challenges that face our division.  I am excited to help with the continuing development of our children’s education and freestyle programs.  With your help and input we can continue to make our division better and better.

I would also like to thank everyone who volunteers his or her time to this division; it is what makes this whole thing go around!  I wish you all the best during the summer and I will see you next winter season!

Sincerely,
Neil Johnson