Board Of Directors Candidate Profiles

Short Bio:I have three kids that play hockey, two with the Flyers and one with an all girls organization locally in Denver. We have been with the Flyers since 2020 after moving to Denver from Boston. We wanted to find a hockey organization that was small with a strong sense of community and a culture that focuses on the kids and their growth during their time with the organization, we found that with the Flyers.

Previous Involvement with FHA: I have been 8U Age Level Director for the last three seasons.

Philosophy regarding FHA Culture:Building a sense of community amongst the families and players are always a priority for me. Furthermore, building a culture of fun at this age is incredibly important, to me it is critical that all of our kids are having fun, building friendships and developing their on-ice skills.

Unique Challenges to FHA and how would you solve them:FIA is a challenge for new members even though we continue to prioritize rink improvements throughout the season and off-season. Rink amenities aside, when you look at the cost and ice time, the overall value that the Flyers provide to families and the kids to develop and grow as hockey players.

How would you achieve Membership Growth:Word of mouth is incredibly important by our current membership to help grow our membership base.

What changes would you propose to improve the ON-ICE hockey experience for youth participants:I would like to enhance the experience for our girls, for next season I'd like to carve out girls only practices, skills sessions throughout the season.

What changes would you propose to improve the OVERALL hockey experience for youth participants: I want to continue to improve communication between the organization and families throughout the season. I want to ensure our kids are developing their skills throughout the season while continuing foster friendships amongst their teammates.

Short Bio: Originally from New York, I moved to Colorado in 1992. A few years later the Avalanche came to town and won a Stanly Cup, I was hooked and have been watching hockey ever since. Last season I was voted on to the board as the 10U director and have enjoyed my time working with the other board members, coaches, and our athlete families. I have two athletes in the Flyers program, both just completing their first year in 10U hockey. In my professional life, it is important for me to keep an open mind, stay organized, and communicate effectively with many different partners. The technical and the soft skills I use daily will help our U10 athletes reach their potential.

Previous Involvement with FHA: A regular fixture for two years as a parent in 8U, to working as the 10U director last year, as well as my first chance to be an assistant coach, I have been working diligently on communicating at all levels of FHA, working on projects for FHA, and filling in as needed.

Philosophy regarding FHA Culture: Small collection, big results. Being a smaller organization gives our children a great chance at getting to know and to trust the coaching staff, their teammates, and parents in a way that promotes growth both in skills and socialization. FHA is not a hockey factory but an organization that fosters teamwork, respect, and discipline.

Unique Challenges to FHA and how would you solve them: Timely dissemination of information that is easy to understand. One of the main issues parents bring up is the challenge getting pertinent information regarding practice and game times, where a tournament is being held and which teams play in which rink and which locker rooms, changes in scheduling, and changes in general. My intention is to take these challenges and find the simplest way to communicate in an effective and timely manner.

How would you achieve Membership Growth: Community outreach. Many people do not sign their child up for hockey simply because they do not know how accessible the sport is. The Future Flyers and the Mile High Mites programs offer an easier path to getting to know hockey. Offering skating lessons prior to these programs would be a great foundation for families to really have a better understanding of the benefits of being a part of Foothills Hockey. Having access to free and discounted gear will only help to push more families into the sport.

What changes would you propose to improve the ON-ICE hockey experience for youth participants: Keep it fun. As I have mentioned, I trust our coaches to develop our children while making sure the kids are having fun, staying engaged, and building success at a smaller scale.

What changes would you propose to improve the OVERALL hockey experience for youth participants: Not changes, but improvements. Improving communications for parents to have plenty of lead-time before a practice or game. Continuing our support of our coaching staff. Always improving for the benefit of our athletes and their development.

Short Bio: My name is Julie Smith, and I’m the proud mother of Nolan Smith, an 8U Stealth Fighter moving up to 10U for the 2025-26 season. My husband and I are Colorado natives—he grew up in Pueblo, and I was raised in Denver. We met nearly 20 years ago at Colorado State University, married 12 years ago, and after a few years of child-free adventures, we welcomed our son, Nolan. As parents of an only child, every one of his ‘firsts’ is also our ‘last,’ so we cherish every moment and actively participate in his school, teams, and clubs to make the most of his experiences. Unlike many traditional hockey families, we didn’t grow up playing or following the sport. Our hockey journey began in 2022 after Nolan, inspired by the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory and championship parade, wanted to give hockey a try. We started with a Mite Mites session at DU, but six weeks wasn’t enough—Nolan had found his passion. After researching local programs, we discovered the Foothills Hockey Association’s spring program and have been part of the FHA family ever since. We quickly came to appreciate the personalized attention, welcoming community, and down-to-earth families that make FHA special. As newcomers to the sport, we were grateful for the guidance and support of fellow parents and coaches who helped us navigate the world of youth hockey. Professionally, I have spent over a decade in the tech industry, holding roles in Business Development, Account Management, and Project Management. My background has equipped me with a strong skill set that directly translates to the responsibilities of an Age Level Director: • Stakeholder Communication – Managing client relationships is much like working with parents, coaches, and league officials—ensuring alignment, addressing concerns, and fostering collaboration. • Conflict Resolution – My experience handling customer issues has taught me how to mediate disputes professionally and fairly. • Organizational Skills – Planning and executing projects, such as tournaments, schedules, and special events, is key to running a successful youth hockey program. • Budget & Resource Management – Balancing timelines, resources, and budgets efficiently ensures smooth operations. • Growth Strategy – Understanding how to expand and enhance an organization will help grow the program, increase player enrollment, and improve the overall experience for families. While I may not have a deep hockey background, I am eager to dedicate my time and skills to supporting our coaches and staff, allowing them to focus on developing our young athletes. I am passionate about creating a positive, inclusive, and well-organized hockey experience for all FHA families, and I would be honored to serve as the 10U Age Level Director.

Previous Involvement with FHA: During the 2023-24 season, I embraced the opportunity to learn about hockey, having had no prior experience with the sport. I familiarized myself with the rules, ran the clock, worked in the concession stand, and assisted with team events, including party planning. As I gained confidence, I wanted to contribute in a more meaningful way to support player development. This past season, I took on the role of scheduler for all five 8U teams, ensuring that players had ample opportunities to apply their developing skills in various game scenarios. Efficiently organizing and communicating Friendlies was a priority for me, and I took pride in facilitating a well-structured and engaging experience for both players and families. Alongside another 8U parent, I took the lead in organizing a highly successful end-of-year pool party for the entire 8U program, which received enthusiastic praise from both kids and parents.

Philosophy regarding FHA Culture: The Foothills Hockey Association thrives on a culture of volunteerism, where the active participation of member families is essential to its success. This collective effort not only supports the organization’s operations but also fosters a strong sense of community among players, parents, and coaches. Having connected with incredible families at the 8U level, I know there are many more across all age groups who share the same passion for the game and commitment to each other. Strengthening these relationships—both on and off the ice—creates a more unified and welcoming environment. I deeply appreciate FHA’s dedication to player development and believe that a strong, inclusive community is key to the association’s continued success. By supporting players from their first strides on the ice through every stage of their journey, we build not only skilled athletes but also resilient, confident individuals. A culture that prioritizes both player growth and meaningful connections will ensure FHA remains a thriving and supportive hockey family.

Unique Challenges to FHA and how would you solve them: One challenge that isn’t necessarily unique to Foothills Hockey Association, is the inconsistency and last-minute nature of communication to parents. To address this, I propose implementing a monthly newsletter for the association. This newsletter would serve as a centralized resource for clear, timely updates and could include: • Highlights from the past month, such as association news, team achievements, and player or coach accomplishments. • Reminders of upcoming events and key deadlines to ensure everyone stays on track. • A preview of upcoming programs, giving families a look ahead to what's next. • Tips and guidance for spreading the word about the association to prospective players, helping us grow our community. • How to instructions for singing up volunteer hours, running the clock or using Gamsheets By providing parents with consistent, well-organized communication, this initiative can improve engagement, reduce confusion, and keep everyone aligned.

How would you achieve Membership Growth: To achieve membership growth, I believe we can leverage multiple strategies that engage the community and increase visibility for our program: 1. Community Events & Festivals – Setup a booth at local events, fairs, and parades to showcase our hockey program. We can create interactive experiences to attract attendees. • Skill Challenge: Kids can test their skills with a “Sauce Kit” challenge and win Flyers stickers or other affordable Flyers-branded prizes. • Photo Opportunity – Have a life-size cutout of a Flyers player for fun photo ops. • Try Hockey Gear Station – Let kids try on real hockey gear to experience what it’s like to be a player. • Meet & Greet with Players/Coaches – Have local youth players or coaches available to answer questions and share their experiences. • Highlight Reel – Play an exciting video showing game action, fun team moments, and testimonials from players and parents. 2. Increase Social Media Engagement – By enhancing our social media presence and encouraging more participation, we can expand our visibility and engage a broader audience. Currently, interactions are limited to a small group, so broadening engagement will reach new families. 3. Referral Incentives – Look into implementing a referral incentive program to give current players rewards (discounts, gear, or prizes) for bringing in new players. 4. Host Fun, Inclusive Events – Organize hockey-related events that require no prior hockey experience or equipment. These can include social events like an Avalanche game watch party, a Mighty Ducks outdoor movie night, or a yoga session focused on hockey athletes. These activities would give potential players a taste of the community without the commitment of joining right away. 5. Team Community Volunteer Opportunities – Organize an annual or bi-annual day of service where players wear their jerseys and participate in community service projects. This fosters a sense of responsibility and pride while simultaneously raising the visibility of the program. 6. School Partnerships – Collaborate with local schools to conduct PE class takeovers where coaches and players lead hockey demonstrations or facilitate floor hockey games. This direct interaction with kids helps to spark their interest in the sport and introduces them to our program. By combining these initiatives, we can create a vibrant, welcoming community that will naturally attract new families to the program.

What changes would you propose to improve the ON-ICE hockey experience for youth participants: I believe in fostering a development-focused culture that provides all players with opportunities to grow while maintaining a strong sense of teamwork and inclusivity. For players who are progressing rapidly, I support offering occasional chances to practice with or guest play on higher-level teams within the same age group, helping them continue to develop their skills in a more challenging environment. Additionally, near the end of the season, I would like to implement internal scrimmages that integrate players moving up to the next age level with those who will remain, promoting mentorship, skill development, and a smooth transition for all players. This approach aligns with Foothills Hockey Association’s commitment to player development, teamwork, and a positive hockey experience for all.

What changes would you propose to improve the OVERALL hockey experience for youth participants: Expanding access to Foothills Flyers team gear would enhance the overall hockey experience for players and families. Currently, purchasing options are limited, and fulfillment times are often lengthy. Kids take great pride in wearing their team’s colors, and parents enjoy buying gear as gifts. By offering more frequent and accessible opportunities to purchase Flyers apparel—whether through an expanded online store, in-season pop-up sales, or partnerships with local vendors—we can strengthen team spirit and engagement while making it easier for families to show their support.

Short Bio: I grew up in Wisconsin and love the sport of hockey. Although I have never played, I have been a hockey fan for years. I moved to Colorado in 1998 and a few years later met my husband Brian, who quickly introduced me to the world of hockey. Professionally, I’ve worked in retail, food service and for over 20 years I have worked in the Dental world as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Brian and I have two sons, Darren and Tanner. Our family has been actively involved with FHA since 2017. Our older son, Darren has played for FHA for 8 seasons. The 21-22 season, our younger son, Tanner finally gave hockey a try and loved the entire experience-he will be a first year Peewee this upcoming season. I have been involved with both of our boy’s FHA teams for the past 8 years in various roles of team manager, serving on the board of directors as well as been actively volunteering within the organization ever since. I have thoroughly enjoyed building relationships with our FHA families.

Previous Involvement with FHA: Throughout my 8 years with the flyers family I have either managed or co-managed my older son’s U8, U10 and U12 teams. I also managed my younger son’s U8 both years. I have served on the Board Of Directors as the U14 age level director the past two seasons (‘23/24, ‘24/25)

Philosophy regarding FHA Culture: My philosophy regarding FHA culture is that Family is one of our strongest assets. We are a smaller organization which is unique to the other hockey organizations in our state. It allows us to all feel like we are a part of a big family.

Unique Challenges to FHA and how would you solve them: With being a smaller organization, it doesn’t come without challenges; growth, volunteering, and retention. I believe that our biggest challenge as an organization is growth. Growth is so important at all age levels, so that players are getting the coaching they need as well as having a positive experience. Retaining our existing players/families is of the utmost importance as well as attracting new families. Solving this challenge is getting the word out that Flyers IS the organization to play for. Having the players show involvement in the community during the off season, through fundraising, offering open skates and maybe mentorship programs for the older athletes to help the younger skaters. I feel like we need growth at ALL levels to continue to be a successful hockey club. I think working to continue to build a family culture at FHA we'll be able to not only retain our existing players, but also attract new players or returning players to the organization. I also feel like moving forward we need to make sure that the governing bodies of the association are all on the same page moving forward. That we are here for our athletes, families, and above all growth and love of the game of hockey. We need to make this a successful family run, best Colorado hockey organization!

How would you achieve Membership Growth: One of the biggest reasons we were attracted to foothills, was the warmth and family atmosphere. Once we became a part of the organization we stayed because of the families, the class and the love of the sport-ultimately because my boys don’t feel like just a number. They continue get to learn and grow the game of hockey while fostering relationships. I believe if we continue to show our strengths to other organizations and new hockey players how great the FHA family is, I would be infectious. Once we continue to grow, I’m hoping other teams from other organizations will see how competitive and amazing the Flyers organization truly is.

What changes would you propose to improve the ON-ICE hockey experience for youth participants: I am not a coach, nor do I help out on the ice at all, but what I have noticed in our numerous seasons here is how much ALL the coaches, care about the growth and development of our athletes. Whether their child is on the team they coach or not. Development. I believe that the key to making the Flyers, successful and competitive is continuing development on both the coaches and players sides. With our small numbers, it’s hard to foster players in the teams that they “belong” in while also giving other players a chance to grow and see what their potential could be. I think continuing to try to create opportunities for the players at all levels to grow is what can set us a part from other organizations. Maybe having players at an older age level “help out” at a younger players practice can help boost moral and really foster the flyers growth.

What changes would you propose to improve the OVERALL hockey experience for youth participants: I would like to see more skills training and scrimmaging. Focusing on specific aspects of hockey, speed skating, shooting, and maybe even bringing in experts (players that have “graduated” from foothills, old coaches etc) that can help the players and coaches really hone in on those skills. I also think capitalizing on our FHA community maybe add FHA community events (once a month team dinners maybe at the rink when multiple age/teams play) or organizing a community out reach event, maybe doing a huge organization fundraiser (in addition to golf tournament, maybe a 5k race to support the athletes and rink improvements 😊) to make sure all FHA members feel like valued members of the FHA community. I love that our marketing director this past season was super inclusive of all players, coaches and doing a good job to support our teams/athletes. I believe that helps the players and families truly feel like they are a part of something bigger.

Short Bio: I’m a Nurse Practitioner specializing in breast oncology and genetic risk assessment at Denver Health. With over 20 years in healthcare, I’m passionate about guiding patients through breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, helping them make informed decisions about their health. Outside of work, I’m deeply involved in the Foothills Flyers hockey community, where my son, Grayson, has played for years and absolutely loves being part of the organization. My husband, Ted, is also very involved, making it a true family commitment. Hockey has given us an incredible community, and I love supporting young athletes and their families,

Previous Involvement with FHA: I have been a parent volunteer for various positions at foothills

Philosophy regarding FHA Culture: As a family-oriented hockey organization, there are specific strategies you can implement to foster a positive, supportive, and inclusive environment that emphasizes both family engagement and the development of young athletes.

Unique Challenges to FHA and how would you solve them: I think making parents aware of the constraints that limited as organization maybe should be more transparent. I think more communication with the parents on an administrative level can be helpful.

How would you achieve Membership Growth: I think to have membership growth we need to look at outreach to the community.

What changes would you propose to improve the ON-ICE hockey experience for youth participants: I think hearing allot about recently that one big change has been with Mindset Coaching: Maybe I am reaching for this one, but I think looking on how to help young players develop mental resilience and a growth mindset. Introduce strategies for handling mistakes, staying positive, and building mental toughness. I also would like to see more parental education: Maybe providing resources for parents to better understand the game, what skills their child is working on, and how they can support their child’s development both on and off the ice. I hear allot of times in the stands parents not understanding what their child is struggling with in hockey.

What changes would you propose to improve the OVERALL hockey experience for youth participants: Parents should be encouraged to support their children in a positive way, focusing on effort and attitude. Organize team-building exercises outside of practice to help players bond, such as team challenges, have regular meetings with parents, coaches, and team managers to ensure concerns are addressed and everyone is aligned on goals. Create open feedback loops so that parents feel comfortable raising issues, and staff can proactively address them.

Short Bio: I have been a member of FHA since 2014 along my husband Rob and our son Ashton. Ashton started at U8 with the Flyers when he was 6 years old. He is now in the 18U program. I have worked in Colorado state government for the past 21 years and am currently the Fiscal Unit Manager for Prevention Services Division at the Colorado Department of Public & Environment Prevention. I have served on the Board of Directors as the 18U age level Director for the past 3 seasons and like to continue my involvement. In addition to serving on the board, I have been a Team Manager for the past 8 seasons as well as fulfilling the role as Manager of the Team Managers for the past 3 seasons providing support and sharing my experiences and knowledge . Since joining the FHA family, I have worked closely with Age Level Directors at each stage as well as supporting the changes in FHA leadership over the years. I have built respectful and trusting relationships with the FHA Board Members, other volunteer/appointed positions, coaches and parents. I have always been a strong advocate for our players and parents. I feel comfortable asking questions and offering suggestions to leadership with the overall goal of supporting and improving the Flyers program, ensuring our children have the best experience while playing the sport they love. In addition, my career in budget management as well as my experience with building and managing team budgets would be an asset to the board.

Previous Involvement with FHA: I have been volunteering in some capacity since the inception of our FHA enrollment. I have served as the 18U Age Level Director the past 3 seasons and have served in the Team Manager role for 8 seasons. I also fulfilled the role of Manager of Team Managers. I have also dedicated countless hours volunteering at FHA host tournaments and events.

Philosophy regarding FHA Culture: My philosophy regarding FHA culture is first and foremost the kids. I believe the most important aspect is creating an environment that is safe and welcoming to all kids who want to learn the game of hockey with the overall goal of creating a rewarding experience for each player and their families. It is also important to have strong leadership and a parent community that share the strong rooted values that FHA is known for. It is also important to have qualified and experienced coaching staff who can value and develop each player's strengths, skills and abilities. After all, hockey is a large part of their childhood (and our lives as parents) they spend many hours on and off the ice learning the game, developing as players, experiencing what it means to be part of a team, learning from and respecting their coaches not to mention the life lessons and long lasting memories they gain from team travel. In the end, it truly is all about the kids and my goal would be to ensure that message is never overcast

Unique Challenges to FHA and how would you solve them: The unique challenges FHA is faced with is the recruitment and retention of players as well as securing ice at our two home rinks. The Try Hockey for Free and the Future Flyers programs are excellent ways to encourage and hopefully recruit players for the organization; how do we secure families for FHA when there are a number of competing programs in the area. It is important to talk with potential families who attend these events and gauge what they value most in an organization; evaluate where we succeed and where we need to improve. Asking the questions why do families choose other organizations over FHA. I suspect some reasons are out of our control but hopefully we could find ways to fill the gaps and increase our recruitment and retention. In my experience it seems we have a robust enrollment at the younger stages and have difficulty retaining players as they age up. I would like to continue to be part of the conversation to understand and determine where change is needed to retain a greater number of players to ensure they stay with FHA throughout their 18U career.

How would you achieve Membership Growth: I spoke of membership growth as a challenge for FHA. I would say the same thing, first we need to understand why some families chose other organizations, evaluate the reasons and determine which ones we have control over and how we can make change to “win over” potential families. FHA has been around for 30 years so we are doing something right, we may need to continue to evaluate and innovate ourselves to encourage families to choose us. We are a smaller organization and I strongly believe there are more advantages to this than disadvantages. There is huge value in having several options for families to choose from and it creates a more competitive league. I look forward to being part of these conversations and offering any insight and ideas I may have.

What changes would you propose to improve the ON-ICE hockey experience for youth participants: I rely on the Hockey, Coaching and Player Development Directors for all “inside the glass” operations. However, as a member of the Board of Directors, I am part of the conversations involving recruiting and retaining qualified and experienced coaches at each level, offering additional development clinics, player and goalie specific camps and/or workshops. Ensuring safe facilities and equipment, making improvements to the rink as allowed.

What changes would you propose to improve the OVERALL hockey experience for youth participants: I am honestly not sure what changes need to be proposed to improve the OVERALL hockey experience for youth participants. It starts with strong leadership and I believe we have that with Jeff Rodell as Hockey Director and the other members of the Board of Directors. I am a strong believer in accurate and straightforward communication. In my role, I would start with offering my support to families by being available and open to having conversations, ensuring everyone is offered the opportunity to share their thoughts to determine specifically what is going well and what changes if any they would like to see; then advocating for them within my role as the Age Level Director.