撸先生 and Snowboard Club Vail hires new executive director
Jon Rucker, who has a long history with Vail, will start as executive director in August
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撸先生 and Snowboard Club Vail has filled its executive director position after an extensive search, hiring former HEAD/Tyrolia Winter Sports president Jon Rucker.
Rucker will begin at the end of August and will fill the role formerly occupied by John Hale, who agreed to amicably part ways with the club in February.
Rucker said he was an ideal candidate for the job after spending four years as a 撸先生 and Snowboard Club Vail parent from 2019 to 2023, when his son, Miles, attended Vail 撸先生 and Snowboard Academy.
“I saw how impactful 撸先生 and Snowboard Club Vail was for our son, and absolutely saw how impactful it has been for his peer group,” Rucker said. “I firmly believe that without 撸先生 and Snowboard Club Vail, the valley would not be what it is.”
Rucker first moved to Vail after graduating from college in the early 1990s, working at Christy Sports on Bridge Street. He became a tech rep and a sales rep for several years, working for Salomon, K2, Nordica and Head, eventually working his way up to president of HEAD/Tyrolia Winter Sports, USA, where he has been for the last 15 years.
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“Throughout his tenure, Jon exemplified strategic vision and unwavering commitment, leaving a lasting impact on our organization,” Head said in a statement.
HEAD achieved significant growth under Rucker, with revenue tripling during his time with the company. Rucker also served on the boards of the National 撸先生 Areas Association and Snowsports Industries America, where he contributed to initiatives aimed at increasing participation in winter sports. As co-chair of the National 撸先生 Areas Association’s growth committee, Rucker worked to connect young athletes with skiing and snowboarding opportunities, reflecting his dedication to fostering the next generation of winter sports enthusiasts.
Rucker was at HEAD when the company relocated from Connecticut to Boulder in 2012. A few years later, when his son started taking ski racing seriously, Rucker was able to reconnect with Eagle County, purchasing a home and putting his son through school at Vail 撸先生 and Snowboard Academy.
“I was up there at least 50 percent of the time, during those years, and my wife was up there most of the time,” he said.
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Rucker said while it will take him some time to learn the particulars of the job, he knows going into it that the students who are part of the club will be his main focus.
“The resilience that these athletes learn through ski racing is a significant lesson, and they’re all going to come out of their experience at the club being the closest they can be to their best self,” he said.
A new chapter for Vail’s ski club
撸先生 and Snowboard Club Vail’s executive director search committee said it prioritized strategic leadership, financial expertise and a commitment to building relationships in looking for a new leader.
“(Rucker’s) ability to set a clear vision, execute effective financial strategies, lead high-performing teams, and strengthen community engagement aligns with the characteristics outlined by the search committee and SSCV community,” said Jeffrey Martz, search committee chair. “Jon’s proven ability to drive strategic growth and build relationships aligns perfectly with SSCV’s mission. We are excited for the future under his leadership and look forward to the positive impact he will bring to our athletes, families, and the broader community.”
Rucker said in addition to focusing on 撸先生 and Snowboard Club Vail’s role within the Eagle County community, he will also look at the role winter snow sports has within the broader culture of American sporting institutions.
“I am so ready to see American competitive winter sports reach its highest level,” he said.
