Worthington hired as USSA Foundation VP

United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) CEO and President Bill Marolt announced today that Trace Worthington has been hired as Vice President of the organization’s foundation.

Worthington was part of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team for 11 years and remained an active supporter of the team since his retirement in 1997. As a competitor Worthington amassed 37 World Cup wins and two World Championships for which he was honored by being inducted in the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2006. He was also the first aerialist to successfully land a quadruple-twisting triple flip in competition and was honored as Ski Racing’s own Freestyle Skier of the Year from 1992 to 1995 and International Skier of the Year in 1993.

“Trace has always been one of our most passionate and forward thinking athletes,” said Marolt. “It’s a great opportunity to bring a world class athlete into our leadership. As an Olympian and world champion, he knows our sports from the perspective of those we are serving. As a business leader, he understands how to manage a successful company and the importance of developing advocacy through personal relationships.”

Worthington, along with teammate Kris Feddersen, founded Flying Ace Productions in 1997. The group continues to thrill audiences around the world with their trampoline and aerial ski and snowboard shows.

“Trace is especially well suited at this time in our organization’s history,” said Marolt. “He brings in tremendous knowledge of our athletes and our sport, with great new ideas on how to build innovative programs to attract new supporters for all of our sports. It’s especially important that he comes into the position with longstanding relationships in our sport.”

Worthington has also worked as a televisions commentator for winter sports on NBC, CBS, ESPN, and Versus, where he covered freestyle skiing, ski cross, snowboardcross, ski and snowboarding halfpipe, and celebrity events.

“I’m deeply honored to join the Team at such an exciting time in its history. I have great respect for the leadership and vision of the Team,” said Worthington. “Anyone who has known me as an athlete or TV commentator knows my passion for athletes and sport. I’ve been privileged to get to know many of the Team’s supporters and have seen the enthusiasm they have for helping to make dreams become reality for our athletes.”
 
Worthington will be responsible for the Team’s private fundraising, which is a vital element in supporting athletic programs. The Foundation raises millions each year in an annual fund and endowments to directly support the most expansive and diverse programs of any Olympic sport from youth development to World and Olympic Champions.
 
“We have a strong Foundation staff team and great programs in place as we head into the Olympics in five months,” said Worthington. “But I also see some unique progression as we look to the future. Our programs are evolving with new action sports joining the traditional events, and to me that means more opportunities to attract more supporters as we head to the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.”
 
Worthington will start his new job on Sept. 8.