SnowPro Region 5 & 6 Election Issue
The Official Publication of the Professional Ski Instructors of America Eastern / Education Foundation
Winter 2011
Dave Merriam, Marty Harrison Honored at Snowsports School Management Seminar Einar Aas Award to Merriam; National Life Membership to Harrison by Michael J. Mendrick, Executive Director
Former Okemo Learning Center Director Marty Harrison and Stowe Director of Mountain Recreation Dave Merriam proudly display their National Life Membership and Einar Aas Award for Excellence in Snowsports School Management.
T
he 2010 Einar Aas Award for Excellence in Snowsports School Management was presented for the second time at the Snowsports School Management Seminar banquet on Tuesday, November 30 at the Killington Grand Hotel in Vermont. The award was created in 2009 to recognize a snowsports school director in the Eastern Division and as a tribute to Einar Aas and to honor his memory. Einar was an outstanding snowsports school director (Ski Butternut, MA) whom we lost to cancer in 2008; his dedication to his students, his school, this organization (both
Longtime friend, colleague and “co-conspirator” Paul “Brownie” Brown reflects on the many adventures (and a few misadventures) in Dave Merriam’s career.
divisionally and nationally) and the snowsports industry is legendary. This award recognizes a snowsports school director for achieving and maintaining the highest standards in snowsports school management as well as clearly demonstrating a track record and long history of dedication to his/her students, staff, the Eastern Division and the snowsports industry. 2009 was the first year for the Einar Aas Award and Frederica “Freddie” Anderson of the Schenectady (NY) Ski School was the inaugural recipient. Nominees for this year’s “Einar” submitted by members this past fall included Gwen Allard, Hole
PSIA-AASI Eastern Executive Director Michael J. Mendrick presents the National Life Membership award (with valuable assists from Ray and Gwen Allard – not pictured) to Marty Harrison.
in the Wall Camp (Lake Luzerne, NY); Dave Merriam, Stowe (VT) Snowsports School; Gordon Richardson (deceased) – formerly of Greek Peak (NY); Lars Skyling, Seven Springs (PA) and Ron Kubicki of Holiday Valley, NY. Chaired by Debbie Goslin of Kissing Bridge (NY), the Snowsports Management Committee reviewed all nominations in September and voted on three finalists for recommendation to the PSIA-E Board of Directors. The Board then ratified Gordon Richardson, Lars Skyling and Dave Merriam as the three finalists for presentation to all Eastern snowsports school directors for the final vote and selection as the
the inside edge 3.........President’s Message
14.......Board Candidate Profiles
24.......XX-ploring
7.........ProJam Highlights
21.......Absolutely AASI
27.......Season Sponsors
12.......Around the Regions
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