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Champion Cat Herder . I have served on board of OutRyders since 2008, including 9 years as president, and have run well over 100 OutRyder Trips and events. I first started skiing in 1994, after reading a Chiltern newsletter about a New York City based Gay Ski Club/Share House in Southern Vermont. In the newsetter, I learned that “TeamXanadu” which had been operating since 1985, as the first ski club of its kind. There were a few black and white pictures of the lodge and it looked intriging. I decided to see what was all about & go for a visit. I walked into “Xanadu”, went up to the plexiglass domed roof and simply fell in love with the house. I decided on the spot, I need to learn to ski. The next day I went to a ski-swap, bought all my equipment and clothing because I thought it would be a waste of time to rent. Having been a competative artistic roller skater in my youth, on 2nd day, I went to the top of the mountain & skied down 3 runs the whole day. My life changed on a dime. I made new friends, had so much fun that the next year I went twice as often. I was addicted. Being forever grateful of my new life, six years after learning how to ski, I decided to purchase Xanadu, and have been running “TeamXanadu” since 2000. I had decided at that point it needed to be a LQGBTQ+ forever, and have dedicated my life to keeping it in our community because of the fun, the commradery, and most of the friends I’ve made. In 2007, after joining OutRyders, the former president, Brian Evans asked if I would takeover the next ski season. Although I first declined, after thinking about it for 2 weeks, I decided this is exactly who I wanted to be … just like Xanadu, but on a much bigger scale. The first 3 years serving as president, treasurer, and trip leader, OutRyders went from 120 members taking cash and checks to 240 members. We created the website and switched everyone to online payments. Also, I personally committed myself to running 8 trips/events per season. Once we hit 240 members we took on a treasurer role, and a communications coordinater as individual roles. Since 2014, I’ve maintained being on the board, and have continued assume the responsibility to be president when needed have one because I want OutRyders to continue indefitely! Over the last 15 years, there were points that I wasn’t sure if OutRyders were going to survive and end-up like the defunct New York based ski clubs Sundance and Ski-bums. We fortunately have a passionate crew of board members and volunteers with a similar ambition to keep Outryders going. I’m forever grateful to all board members, including former board members and volunteers for their commitments. A special thank you to Marty Smith for taking on the leadership role, and wrangling in a whole new crew as well as you have. The enthusium you have inspired in them is something to be very proud of and I’m here to help in any way possible. I am extremely proud for serving our LGBTQ+ community for over 20 years … Although I may seem like a persistent pain … herding cats to the slopes is a challenge in so many ways …