SAM Magazine-Lakewood, Colo., June 28, 2006-The National Ski Patrol's board of directors elected Dr. James DeWeerd Jr. as national chairman at the annual board meeting here late last week. DeWeerd is one of five new board members seated Mar. 1, 2006, as a result of the special election held in February.

DeWeerd hails from the North Central region of the Central Division, where he has been an NSP member for 34 years. He replaces outgoing chairman Dick Everett. "I see the challenges that the NSP faces as great opportunities to improve our organization," said DeWeerd. "I am committed to a transparent leadership and governance model that provides NSP members the highest level of service and respect we all deserve. I am dedicated to keeping this organization member-driven, and making sure that it continues to be a group that communicates and grows with all its customers, constituents, and partners in the snowsports industry."

Outgoing chairman Everett said, "I have the greatest confidence in Jim's ability to bring about the much-needed unity between the NSP membership and its leaders."

DeWeerd has been a patroller since 1972 in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He become Patrol Representative of the Year in the North Central region, and was awarded a National Number in 2005. He has been an ARC, WEC, and OEC lecturer and instructor for many years. DeWeerd was a venue physician for World Cup events at Deer Valley, Utah in 2001, 2003 and 2004, as well as the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

DeWeerd did his orthopedic residency at the Mayo Clinic in the mid-1970s, then saw active duty in the United States Navy. He was in orthopedic practice from 1978-2002 and maintained his Naval Reserve status until he retired from the Navy in 2000. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery and the American College of Surgeons.

Other new board members include Dave Ginley, Harold Heacock, Bela Musits, and Clark Noble.