TRUCKEE

A lawsuit was filed against Western Region of Professional Ski Instructors of America & American Association of Snowsports Instructors (PSIA-AASI) following the suspension of candidates who had run for its board and received majority votes in an April election. According to the organization, the members were already under investigation and considered members in bad standing leading up to and during the election. 

PSIA-AASI West is a membership-based organization for the professional snowsports community on the West Coast and is headquartered in Truckee. Moonshine Ink reported on the suspension of PSIA-AASI West members in its April 10 briefs.

After the conclusion of the election for four new board members, in which Barclay Moore, Bryan Martel, Brent Bobolitt, and Julie Brown were majority winners, Moore, Martel, and fifth place Alycia Glines of Team4Change were disqualified, leaving two spaces to sixth place incumbent Neil Bussiere and seventh place Sue Spain. Bobolitt also ran with Team4Change. The new members of the board were seated on April 27. PSIA-AASI staff had endorsed Spain.

According to a letter from PSIA-AASI to Moore and shared on snowprosengaged.com, PSIA-AASI West accused Moore of harassment and public misrepresentation while providing exam preparation services he was reportedly not qualified to offer. 

Members of PSIA-AASI petitioned to prevent the seating of the new board, and were unsuccessful. A temporary restraining order was also filed by members of PSIA-AASI on April 21, and denied by the Sacramento Superior Court. This group, consisting of Moore, Martel, Glines, David Achey, Greg Felsch, Blaine Lomen, and Jeff Connors, alleged that the organization’s CEO, Marisa Cooper, along with other directors, manipulated the election and its results. The group also held an informal meeting, voting to oust all current board members, an action they don’t have the power to oversee.

In response, PSIA-AASI West leadership stated that it would hold open board seats for members under disciplinary review, should they be reinstated as members in good standing. However, the seats of the highest vote-getters are now filled. No statements have been made regarding whether the vote-winners will be reinstated. Reportedly, instructors are attempting to leave the organization, though doing so risks their certifications.

Opponents to the seating of the board continue to push back.

~ MR