The American Snowsports Education Association (ASEA) has announced new board-level leadership for the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI). At its annual board meeting held June 2–4 in Golden, Colorado, Ray Allard was elected association president and chairman of the board, replacing John Armstrong who had served in the position for the past six years and was unable to seek reelection due to term limits.

In elections for board officers, Eric Sheckleton won his bid for executive vice president, Craig Albright was selected to serve as operations vice president, and Jerry Warren was voted in as communications vice president. The rest of the ASEA Board of Directors is made up of John Peppler (representing Central Division), Bill Ellis (Alaska Division), John Weston, Jr. (Pacific Northwest Division), Martin Rood (Northern Intermountain Division), and Peter Donahue (Rocky Mountain Division). Rood was unable to attend the recent board meeting, so Walt Coiner, president of Northern Intermountain Division, served as his proxy.

“I’m excited about our future,” said incoming board president Ray Allard. “PSIA/AASI is financially sound, well respected within the snowsports industry, and ably served by a knowledgeable board and a talented staff-all elements required for moving the organization forward and continuing to offer our members a large array of world-class benefits, services, educational materials, and programs.”

He went on to assert that while PSIA/AASI is a stable and mature organization, its growth depends on staying abreast of new disciplines and appealing to a young demographic.

“We don’t plan on standing still,” said Allard. “We will monitor the needs of our membership and the industry, utilizing new technologies to deliver our message and services. As always, we will continue to uphold our vision of ‘inspiring life-long passion for the mountain experience.’” Upon turning over the reins of the ASEA board to the new leadership group, Armstrong said, “I know these directors will do a fine job for PSIA/AASI members and the association. They each have a strong commitment to education at heart and have a genuine passion for serving our membership. I’m more than confident that our vibrant organization is in good hands.”

Board Officer Biographies

Ray Allard has a long history with PSIA/AASI. A ski instructor since 1960, Allard was certified in 1968 and has been an examiner since 1973. He has been a course conductor and examiner for PSIA-Eastern Division since 1973, and his primary role with the association has been as PSIA Eastern Division Director from 1984–1999. A member of the national and his division’s board of directors since 1997, Allard has also served as chairman of several committees and task forces, including the Certification Committee (1979–84), the Publication and Technology Task Force (1999–2003), and the PSIA/AASI Education Advisory Council (2003). Claiming to be “semi-retired,” Allard works as an instructor/trainer at Vermont’s Killington Resort and since 1999 has owned and operated a small woodworking business. His wife, Gwen, is a national leader in the adaptive snowsports field. He enjoys golf, cycling, canoeing, hiking, and reading, while also citing art, architecture, and design as areas of interest.

Eric Sheckleton was a member of the first AASI Snowboard Team (1996–2000). In that capacity he helped write the first AASI manual for snowboard instructors and aided in AASI’s early development. After serving in several leadership roles in Northern Rocky Mountain Division, Sheckleton was elected to the ASEA board in 2002, and in 2004 was chosen to serve as communications vice president. A snowboard examiner and a PSIA-certified Level III alpine instructor, he is training to become an alpine clinician. Sheckleton runs a property management company and is currently a part-time ski and snowboard trainer at Montana’s Red Mountain Lodge. He also volunteers in the Eagle Mount Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program. In the off-season, Sheckleton enjoys rafting, climbing and exploring the world for treasures with his wife and two young daughters.

Craig Albright is a 23-year veteran of PSIA/AASI, and is a certified Level III alpine, snowboard, and telemark instructor. A former alpine and snowboard examiner, Albright is a director of the Mammoth Ski and Snowboard School in Mammoth Lakes, California. In addition to representing PSIA-Western Division on the ASEA Board of Directors, he is the chairman of the PSIA/AASI Education Advisory Council. Married with two daughters, Albright enjoys rock climbing, cycling, mountain biking, camping and, of course, backcountry skiing.

Jerry Warren was a member of the PSIA Alpine Demonstration Team from 1974–1986, serving as team coach for the last six years of his tenure. From 1986–91 he served as PSIA’s education vice president, and from 1986–89 was the chairman of the PSIA Steering Committee. He is the co-author for two of PSIA’s early manuals on the American Teaching System, and has been a leader in ski instruction at some of the premier resorts around the country, including Snowbird, in Utah, and Mt. Bachelor, in Oregon. Warren is currently director of skiing and mountain operations at Utah’s Sundance Resort. As the founder of Total Quality Skiing, Warren is also called upon to conduct leadership and performance training at other ski areas and with PSIA groups.