Sierra Hooge:
Hello! My name is Sierra Hooge and I am excited about the opportunity to run for the NRM Board of Directors. I am originally from Pittsburgh, PA and started ski instructing while I was in high school. I grew up at a resort called Seven Springs, I taught there for two years, and now I’ve been living in Big Sky and teaching full-time at the Resort since 2016. When I started teaching, I spent my first 4 years teaching children, and now I have been teaching adults for 6 seasons. Many of my lessons are deeply emotionally involved which aligns well with my personal affinity towards the “people skills” component of the Learning Connection. I enjoy clear communication, personal and professional growth, and helping others to conquer their fears. I hope to bring some of these emotional skills to our region. I am currently an Alpine Level 2 instructor in the certification process toward my Level 3. I also have earned a Children’s Specialist 1, Freestyle Specialist 1, and Cross Country 1. I have telemark skied and snowboarded in the past, and hopefully some of those certifications also lie in my future. Outside of ski school, I am a landscaper, dog-parent, pottery teacher, and graduate student. I am studying snowsports education through Penn State’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management. My advisor, another graduate student, and I are working with PSIA-AASI to build professional certificates for college credit that align with the training process for Levels 1, 2, and 3 of snowsports certification. We are developing curriculum for those courses around teaching, people, and professional skills. I am looking forward to learning more about the workings of PSIA-AASI as an organization, and I think as a member of the Board I will bring balanced opinions, optimism, and an eye for detail. I enjoy being a member of a collaborative team, and I hope that you will give me the opportunity to represent and serve our region.
Thank you!
-Sierra Hooge
Elise Cozzens:
Board Members and others to whom it may concern,
I am contacting you to express my interest in a position on the Northern Rocky Mountain Board. As a seasoned volunteer with Eagle Mount Ski and past employee as ski staff with Eaglemount Billings as well. I also have had my level 1 Alpine, with intentions of also taking the exam for my Adaptive Certification. I have a passion and commitment for the successful growth and future of our Program. I aspire to be an instrumental part of the progression of our NRM division. My willingness to learn, my dedication and passion and my overall work ethic will serve in a variety of areas, including strengthening its already existing relationships throughout the community and establishing strong new connections. I look forward to the opportunity to work closely with such a worthy, life changing program, working closely with the Board with dedication and Inclusiveness for an opportunity to grow and progress. Thank you for your time, consideration and YOUR dedication to such an amazing program.
-Elise R Cozzens
George Miller:
Hello. I am George Miller PSIA level one alpine and child specialist one. I am interested in serving on the PSIA NRM Board of Directors. I have been an instructor at Red Lodge Mountain for over ten years. I have mostly been a weekend warrior as I have maintained employment during the week in various educational organizations. I have found PSIA curriculum and clinics invaluable in my development as a ski instructor. I feel like it is time I give some energy back to the organization that has given me so much. I hold a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Anthropology, and a Master’s degree from Oregon State University in Adult Education. I have previously worked in Community Colleges and Universities, and for private online education and training companies. I am currently a Digital and Outreach Educator at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody Wyoming. I live in Clark Wyoming about 45 min from Red Lodge Mountain. Thank you for considering me for a position on the Board of Directors. I can be contacted at 307-254-3529 or millerg120@gmail.com
Nick Dawson:
To the Members of PSIA-AASI Northern Rocky Mountain, I hope you’re all making the most of the remaining season and enjoying the springtime slopes. I’m reaching out to express my interest in joining the NRM Board of Directors. Having been an alpine ski instructor at Big Sky for four years, my appreciation for how our organization supports its members has only deepened. Our organization holds a significant responsibility in stewarding our standards, financial health, and integrity. We’re also in the privileged position of guiding growth, innovation, and inclusivity. I am keen to contribute to NRM’s efforts in these areas and support its mission. Before my tenure at Big Sky, I held several senior leadership positions and was fortunate to serve on, and chair, various boards. This includes my role as head of innovation at major organizations, where I focused on fostering a culture of creative problem-solving and strategic vision. At Stanford’s School of Medicine, I led the innovation program and continue to serve as guest faculty. I also served as an advisor on innovation for the Obama White House for three years. I’ve had board experience as the board chair for the Society for Participatory Medicine and the Emergency Design Collective. And I’ve served as a member of other nonprofit boards. While innovation often brings to mind technology, my background in design emphasizes solving problems with the needs of those most affected at the forefront. This involves intentional listening, imaginative solution brainstorming, and thorough testing for practicality and usability before committing resources. I’ve applied this approach to my work with skiing clients and am excited about the possibility of bringing these skills and my leadership experience to the NRM board. I believe in starting with curiosity and a willingness to learn from the vast experience within our organization. I see a significant opportunity for us to be a beacon among our peer regions through a focus on member-centered design and innovation. I’m open to discussing any questions you might have about my candidacy. Thank you for considering my application for a position on the NRM Board of Directors.
Best,
Nick Dawson
