Former ski racer Nick Sargent tapped to lead SIA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce Nick Sargent as SIA’s incoming President. Sargent, who most recently held the position of vice president of global business alliance at Burton Snowboards, will begin in a transitional role before succeeding David Ingemie as president following the 2016 SIA Snow Show in Denver and on-snow demo at Copper Mountain.

“Selecting the ideal leader to take SIA into the future has been a long and careful process for the board of directors. With significant experience in snow sports and a penchant for growing the industry, Nick will be a huge asset for the organization and our partners,” said Bob Gundram, chair of SIA’s Board of Directors and president of C3.

In his new role as president, Sargent will leverage his sales and marketing expertise and utilize a unique ability to connect brands, people and ideas to create mutually beneficial partnerships that ultimately progress the winter industry.

“A great admiration for the association’s accomplishments in an industry I love has me very excited and honored to be joining SIA,” said Sargent. “I’m thrilled to come on board at such a pivotal moment in the industry, which is ripe with opportunity at all levels.”

During his tenure at Burton Snowboards, Sargent was responsible for cultivating the brand’s global partner portfolio. By tapping new markets, he successfully paired corporate brands like 3M, Fox Sports, Garmin, Mini, and Pepsi with snow event and product partnerships. Prior to his twelve years with the snowboard brand, Sargent managed adidas-Salomon’s global winter Olympic initiatives. A lifetime of snow sports fandom compliments his deep understanding of the business behind the snow, which is imperative to the continued progression of the representation and growth opportunities that SIA offers its members and partners.

“I’m so pleased to have Nick join SIA to guide the industry into this new chapter. His background in all aspects of the industry, focus on collaboration and love of snow sports made him the ideal candidate. This industry is driven by passion, and he certainly shares that spirit,” said Ingemie.

A transition plan and recruitment strategy became a top priority for SIA’s Board of Directors beginning in May 2014, when Ingemie advised the Board of his plan to step down.

Sargent will begin in a transitional role, at SIA’s Washington, D.C., headquarters, on Aug. 24 and assume the role of president following the 2016 SIA Snow Show. Ingemie will remain at SIA in the role of immediate past president and lead an archival project preserving the organization’s 60+ year history.

Sargent grew up as a USSA alpine racer and served as a World Cup tech working on Alberto Tomba’s boots. He is married to U.S. Ski Team alumna Ashley Davenport Sargent, and the family currently lives in Stowe, Vt. He will transition into the ex officio USSA board seat held by Ingemie once the changeover is complete in January.

“We welcome the leadership of Nick Sargent who brings not only strong industry background but also depth of firsthand knowledge of our sports. We have deeply appreciated the partnership we’ve shared with David Ingemie for many decades and look forward to continuing to partner with the SIA on our vision of the sport and attracting new participants,” noted USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw.

Release courtesy of SIA and USSA