2017-2018 Executive Board of
Directors:
President
Robert Palmer
I have been an avid skier since my first visit to Mammoth Mountain in 1971. That year as a newbie, and on my first day out, I conquered the cornice in a blizzard (not pretty); but an addiction was born. An addiction to high octane adventure, to the grandeur of the mountains and the good times had with friends. In addition to skiing , I fly airplanes, like to travel, bike, hike and play tennis. A forty year resident of Santa Barbara, I made my career in Real Estate. My wife of 30 years Maia and myself have raised two adult children; Justin and Felicia who also love to Ski. The family that skis together, stays together. I joined the Santa Barbara Ski and Sports Club in 2006 and never looked back. It has been a great ride. Last year I joined the board as Vice President, and this year I have the privilege to help to carry on the great traditions of the Club as President. I look forward to seeing you all in the coming year on the slopes! president@sbski.org
Vice President
Ginny Nixon
I am a life-long learner, a teacher, mother, grandmother, traveler and friend. Though I am a long-time resident of Santa Barbara, I have only been a member of the Santa Barbara Ski & Sports Club since 2012, when I joined to go on a week-long ski trip to Banff, Canada. My membership has been an extremely positive experience; I have met many wonderful friends! In addition to enjoying the ski trips, I participate in many memorable club activities, such as kayaking, bicycling, club parties & gatherings, the Live Oak Music Festival camping, both Santa Rosa & Santa Cruz Island camping trips, the boat-to-boat events, and of course dancing. I have served on the Ski Club board of directors since 2014, while immersing myself in organizing the annual Live Service Auctions. I’m looking forward to enjoying these activities, and more, for many years to come! higinnynix@gmail.com
Secretary
Jane Ferry
I’ve
been skiing since I could I walk. Skiing is a natural adrenaline rush,
the best there is! The ski club is like a family to me. Everyone is
warm and welcoming, and I look forward to each and every trip. I am the
secretary of the club, which means I get the coffee and type the
minutes on my IBM Selectric. janiecakes@gmail.com
Treasurer
Scott W. Groff
My love for skiing
began when my parents brought me to Heavenly Valley when I was
16. I vividly remember my very first run. I got off of the
tram, strapped on my skies and went straight down hill. About 10
seconds later I realized I didn't know how to stop so crashed into a
snowbank! Finally my need for speed was satisfied. After I
graduated from SCU, I spent 2 years in Tahoe bartending at night and as a ski bum during the day. I have been introduced to a lot of great Santa Barbarians since
joining the ski club in 2010. Treasurer@sbski.org
Membership
Mark Cooper
Bio coming soon!
Week long Trips
Mark Findley
I grew up back east where skiing usually meant going once a year to a very small hill covered with ice and surviving. My true love of skiing got kick started on a trip to a real western mountain (Mt Bachelor) where I found out how good it can be. I knew needed to do more skiing (like lots more) but was not sure how I could make that happen living in Santa Barbara. I heard about the SB Ski Club from a former co-worker and joined in 2005 and now I know the joys of Mammoth Mountain as well as many of the large resorts in the western US and Canada. I took over the Weeklong Trip Captain position in 2013 and have the privilege of picking out and arranging our long trip destinations. I encourage you to check out the club and join in on the fun. SBSkiWeeklong@sbski.org
Weekend Trips
Brian Murphy
I re-discovered skiing in
2006, after having skied a few times in the 80s as a 10-11 year old. I
found the Ski Club through a link to the Far West Ski Association in
the book "Skiing for Dummies". I have been a member of the club
since 2007, and since that time, thanks to my fellow club members,
I have gone from a cautious easy blue skier to skiing almost
anything the mountains can offer. This year I joined the board as
Weekend trips captain. I also enjoy cycling, and camping in the
sierras over the summer. I discovered wine tasting through the
club on the bike and wine rides. Being a club member has brought me new
friends and great times, and I Iook forward to many more in the years
ahead. MammothTrips@sbski.org
Past President
Dennis Forster
I bought my first pair of skis in Michigan at the age of twelve, and I still have that pair. I have loved skiing for more than sixty years and have skied more than 100 different resorts, mostly in the US and Canada, but many in Europe and a couple in South American in August of 2015. I cherish the high energy, enthusiastic people you meet skiing and treasure all the friends I have made in the Santa Barbara Ski and Sports Club. I’m a work hard play hard guy and also have a passion for helping people with investments and financial planning at Morgan Stanley. I relish all the club ski trips and enjoy dancing whenever I have the opportunity, and there are many. forsterdennis@hotmail.com
2017-2018 Standing Committees
(Appointed):
Summer Sports Coordinator
OPEN
Summer sports coordinator needed! If interested please contact El Presidente. president@sbski.org
Social Chair
Lydonna Walker
Social Co-Chair
Annelie Zeise
Lydonna and Annelie are the party girls! If you love the ski club parties, these are the ladies that arrange them.
Media & Communications Chair
Cynder Sinclair
Media & Communications Co-Chair
Michael Mead
Media & Communications Co-Chair
Barry Abshere
Barry Abshere: I'm going on my third season with the Club and what a blast it's been so far: great people, fantastic trips, and plenty of laughs on both the local and the week-long trips. I love to be in the mountains and the Club is an easy and enjoyable way to do that. barryabshere@yahoo.com
Michael Mead: If you want my story, please see my bio in the Membership Directory. publicity@sbski.org
Web Committee Chair
Ritva Hiltunen
Web Committee Co-Chair
Cheryl Fontana
Web Committee Co-Chair
Karen Gumtow
Ritva: I
learned to ski the hard way in Finland, cross
country…and it's a pretty big country. At long last I moved to
California and was introduced to down hill skiing, that's a lot
of work too but more fun. I joined the Santa Barbara Ski Club a few
years ago. I am extremely happy to have connected with such a great
group of fun loving people. ritvahiltu@yahoo.com
Hospitality Chair
Cheryl Fontana
Skiing is my passion and the SB Ski Club has been wonderful in the
support of this active sport! I began skiing with the club in
2005 and have been hooked ever since. It was all too easy to
show
up for the bus ride up and back. The bus allowed me to either do
work, read, watch a movie or socialize. The ride can be
whatever you make it. The scenery is stunning on the way back and
not having to drive
while exhausted from 3 full days of skiing is paramount.
Because there are so many levels of skiers it is easy to find a
group you feel comfortable with and one that helps you
navigate the mountain. Mammoth is as it is named a large
mountain.
The weather can be different from morning to afternoon as well as
from one lodge to another. That is why the stress factor is
minimal when you ski with those in the know. I know of no
other sport that can bring such satisfaction. Playing in the snow,
in the trees, with
mother nature, is very uplifting. Join us! I suspect you will be
hooked too.
crfontana@cox.net
Ways & Means
Chair
Ginny Nixon
I am a life-long learner, a teacher, mother, grandmother,
traveler and friend. Though I am a long-time resident of
Santa Barbara, I have only been a member of the Santa Barbara Ski
& Sports Club since 2012, when I joined to go on a week-long ski
trip to Banff, Canada. My membership has been an extremely
positive experience; I have met many wonderful friends! In
addition to enjoying the ski trips, I participate in many memorable
club activities, such as kayaking, bicycling, club parties &
gatherings, the Live Oak Music Festival camping, both Santa Rosa
& Santa Cruz Island camping trips, the boat-to-boat events, and
of course dancing. I have served on the Ski Club board of
directors since 2014, while immersing myself in organizing the annual
Live Service Auctions. I’m looking forward to enjoying
these activities, and more, for many years to come! higinnynix@gmail.com
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Ski Director
Cynder
Sinclair
I started skiing when I was in
high school. I’d say I’m at an advanced intermediate
level. I have only been in the SB Ski Club for a couple of years, but
I really enjoy all the activities and try to participate often. Ski
trips are especially fun, whether they are weeklong trips or weekend
trips to Mammoth. We have a great group of really fun folks!
My business, Nonprofit Kinect, provides consulting services to
nonprofits including strategic planning, executive coaching, board
training, and retreat facilitation. I raised five kids and I have 13
grandchildren and one great grandchild. I also love all outdoor
sports like kayaking, hiking, paddle boarding, and cycling.
Cheers,
Cynder cynsyn@cox.net
Club Rep - Central Andy Snyder
Club Rep - Los Angeles Pam Worden
Non-Board
Positions/Regular Volunteers
Bartenders: Leslie, Timber and
Bruce
Raffles Debra Roberts
Bike and Brunch Bachir Jirari
Tennis Gary Longaberger
Billiards Dennis Errio