ADAPTIVE SPORTS FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the ASF Ski Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Equipment and Buildings Manager
George is originally from Rhinebeck, N.Y. and has worked as a mechanic for the past 24 years. A natural handyman, he has vast experience in carpentry, electrical and plumbing. He also has experience working in the rental department at Hunter Mountain, where he assisted skiers and snowboarders in renting the proper equipment before a day on the slopes, as well as maintaining and making sure that the equipment was properly stored. George, a father of two children, currently resides in Red Hook, N.Y. with his wife Alison. When he isn't taking care of the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center, he enjoys spending his time bowling, fishing, camping and just being outdoors.
Ginny started with the ASF a few years after its inception. She remembers working with founder Gwen Allard sometimes out of a borrowed room in Town Hall. This was quite a change for her after 15 years at CBS headquarters in New York City. In 1991, she left to raise her family and returned ten years later with new eyes-the eyes of a parent-realizing that all parents are the same in wanting every opportunity for their children. She has always thought of her job as a gift, counting herself blessed to be able to work in an environment surrounded by goodness. She is a long time student in the school of life, currently gaining knowledge and inspiration from all who walk through the ASF doors, most especially from those dearest to her heart, the ASF participants. Once an avid skier, she now gets great satisfaction watching their every day successes on the slopes. While she enjoys spending her work week with the ASF family, nothing gives her greater joy than time spent with her own family.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- ASF Founder & Board Member Emeritus
Job Titles:
- Fundraising Events and Social Media Coordinator
James grew up in neighboring Columbia County and has been skiing the Catskills and Berkshires since his childhood. He earned his bachelor's degree at St. John's University, majoring in Sports Management and minoring in Business. James is coming from the world of collegiate athletics, as he served as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications with Division I Old Dominion University and Division III Frostburg State University. He also has experience working in the media relations departments of two professional baseball teams: the New York Mets and the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers. Whether he is on his skis in the winter or soaking up the sun in the summer, James enjoys being outside and is excited to work with the Adaptive Sports Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Joanne is a native Long Islander who gave up the ocean for the mountains almost 20 years ago.She loves crunching numbers and her long time experience keeping books in the financial business brought her to ASF in 2002 where she now heads the Accounting Department. Summer weekends, you will find her running her family owned concession business. While she is proud to successfully manage these two areas, she says her most rewarding job has always been as a mom to her two great kids. While she enjoys time on the slopes, she is particularly fond of warm weather and loves to head south to the beach with her husband and children any chance she gets.
John has a long career spanning over 30 years in the ski industry. Starting a snowboard instructor at Hunter Mountain, John worked through his teaching credentials by becoming a AASI-E Level 3 Certified Snowboard Instructor as well as an AASI-E Snowboard Examiner. Continuing to expand his knowledge and experience, John moved to Vermont and eventually was promoted to VP of Skiing Services at Mount Snow and the American Skiing Company. While there John had the opportunity to lead the industry by creating the Burton Learn-to-Ride program which to this day has changed the way people learn to snowboard through innovated equipment designs and instruction. Moving back to the Catskills in 2006, John returned to Hunter Mountain for a second time to play a major role at the resort and ultimately leading the finance team as Controller with Peak Resorts/Vail Resorts.
John and his wife, Morgan who is also a certified snowboard instructor, share the same love of snowboarding as well as teaching others. Morgan has been teaching snowboarding for over 20 years and has frequently helped out at the ASF during special events and other fundraisers. When John is not on his snowboard, he spends his time behind the camera as a professional photographer.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Development Director
- Leader
Thrilled to join the ASF family, Olivia Antsis is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 22 years of experience in programming, marketing, and fundraising for arts and culture organizations. As part of Upstate Films' leadership team, Olivia reinvigorated the 50-year-old arthouse theater's membership and business partners programs, nurturing contributions and participation back to pre-pandemic levels. She also boosted contributed income through successfully planning and executing strategic campaigns and cultivation events, including co-producing Upstate's first-ever gala fundraiser and auction. Before moving to the Hudson Valley, Olivia was the Executive Artistic Director of Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media (PJFM). In directing the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival (PJFF) for over 14 years, she positioned PJFF among the top Jewish film festivals in the world by raising its caliber of programming, cultivating relationships on a global scale, fostering alliances with diverse partner organizations, and creating meaningful opportunities to learn, engage, inspire and connect. When she's not working hard helping nonprofits fulfill their missions, Olivia enjoys taking pictures, visiting new cities, hiking, biking, swimming, nature, traveling, and hanging out with her beastie boys - her cat, Prince, and dog, Charlie Peanutbutter. Olivia lives in Palenville, NY, with her husband, Matthew.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Russ has had a lifelong passion for alpine skiing and racing. He grew up at Butternut Basin where his dad was an employee and Mountain Manager for 36 years. Russ has spent a lifetime working in all areas of the ski industry - teaching skiing and coaching racing for the past 29 years. During his time at Butternut, Russ was assistant Ski School Director and Race Program Director for 20 years. Prior to joining ASF, Russ was Co-Director of Bousquet Snowsports School and Race Director. Recently retired, Russ owned and operated Copake Lake Boat and Ski - a marina and waterski school, where, amongst other duties, he taught waterskiing and wakeboarding. Russ volunteered for Wounded Warrior weekends at Burden Lake for several years which sparked his interest in becoming part of the Adaptive Sports Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ASF Ski Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Delphi Financial
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Program Manager
- Professional Photographers of America - Active Member
Tony lives in Hunter and is a NYS licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy. His work in PT has ranged from pediatric homecare in Syracuse NY to treating Alaskan Natives in Anchorage. He first started with adaptive sports while in PT school as a volunteer instructor with Arise and Ski at Toggenburg Mountain in Central New York. At this point, he was inspired to merge PT with adaptive sports, and has published research on the physical and psychosocial benefits of adaptive skiing. Tony grew up in Western NY, where he spent most of his time snowboarding, skateboarding, and hiking around Letchworth State Park. When he isn't outside or on the mountain, he spends his time seeing live music and playing guitar.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Chairman / Tourne View Ventures
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees