New President for Women's Ski Jumping
/New President for Women’s Ski Jumping
PARK CITY, Utah (January 21, 2016) – Women’s Ski Jumping USA (WSJ-USA) is pleased to welcome Julie Hickam as board president along with new board members, Laura Sankey andBlair Tomten. After the untimely passing of former president, Deedee Corradini last year, this new leadership will play a critical role in realizing Deedee’s vision to be the best female jumping program in the world while empowering young girls around the nation to become future Fly Girls.
Julie Hickam, Park City, is no stranger to ski jumping. Her daughter is a young promising jumper, an amazing accomplishment considering the family only recently moved to Park City from Louisiana. Julie brings many years of volunteer and board service, sitting on several non-profit committees and boards in her previous community and most recently, working with the Park City Nordic Ski Club, where she was named the 2014 Volunteer of the Year and was recognized for her volunteer work by the U.S. Olympic Committee. She also volunteers for Park Silly, the Weilenmann School of Discovery, and recently ran YSA’s Get Out & Play Program. Julie brings a solid business and marketing acumen with several years of experience in the title and real estate industry, managing online advertising with National Title, Stewart Title, Berkshire Hathaway, Coldwell Banker, and Crye-Leike. When she is not actively involved in the community, Julie enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, and vacationing at the beach as often as possible.
On her outlook for the organization, Julie states, “I am fortunate to assume the leadership role in an organization where the inaugural team passionately set a high standard of excellence both on and off the hill. My vision is to carry on this legacy, empowering the next generation of female ski jumpers to achieve the same level of greatness while applying those standards to our program and sport.”
As WSJ-USA’s new board secretary, Laura Sankey, Steamboat Springs, also brings a deep connection to ski jumping. Her daugher Logan Sankey was one of WSJ’s first Fly Girls and is now a rising star on the national team with an upcoming spot in Junior World Championships and Youth Olympics. Laura brings a passion for people, ideas, and sound strategy with a successful career in brand building, sales and marketing strategy. Her extensive corporate experience includes training at Procter & Gamble; and leadership postitions at Coors Brewing Company, Qwest Communication (now Century Link), and the Green Bay Packers. Laura also has experience in the outdoor retail and technology industries.
Laura comments on her new role, “I’m honored to be involved with this dedicated and committed team of athletes, coaches and volunteers. The vision that started Women’s Ski Jumping USA is incredibly powerful – and the achievements that have been realized are amazing; but this is a story that is still unfolding with heroines that are just learning to fly – I’m excited to ensure there are many thrilling chapters ahead.”
Finally, new board treasurer, Blair Tomten, Salt Lake City, has been a member of the ski jumping community for over 25 years. She has been a ski jumping competitor and a coach. She is the current Chairman of the Officials Sub Committee for USSA, and is in the last year of training to become one of six FIS ski jumping judges for the USA. Blair has represented the USA in international competition in ski jumping as well as in skeleton. Originally from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Blair moved here nearly 8 years ago. She has helped WSJ with fundraisers and a Women’s Continental Cup Competition over the years she has been here. She is also accomplished on the academic front with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota, and is currently working as a civil engineer for Lochner in Salt Lake City.
“Having been a part of ski jumping since we began the journey to get women’s ski jumping into the Olympics over 20 years ago,” states Blair, “I know how hard it is to be an athlete in this sport, especially as a woman. I am so excited to be a part of an organization that gives women the support they need to be the best in the world. I know that I can bring WSJ extensive knowledge of the sport from all sides to make the team stronger and better than ever.”
SUPPORT WSJ: http://www.wsjusa.com/donate/
Media Contact: wsjusainfo@wsjusa.com
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WSJ-USA is a 501c3 non-profit organization incorporated in 2003 in Park City, Utah. WSJ-USA is the primary support and fundraising organization for the U.S. women's ski jumping program, which includes the national team and the Fly Girls development team. The mission of WSJ-USA is to support and run a successful and sustainable team and to grow participation in the U.S. women's ski jumping program by facilitating national development efforts that produce the best women ski jumpers in the world. WSJ-USA aims to remain an influential voice in advocating for gender equality in women’s ski jumping.
