Board of Directors

A Michigan native, Kerry's hockey roots sprouted at an early age. Graduating through the ranks of minor, major, AAA and Junior programs as a youth in the Detroit area, Kerry amassed a wealth of experience in leading championship teams on the state and national level.

Kerry ventured west-ward and landed in Steamboat Springs in the early '90's commencing his next level of hockey involvement managing operations and programing for the Howelsen Ice Arena. Kerry was an assistant coach for Steamboat Springs High School hockey team from 2012-2016, earning CHSAA "Coach of the Year" for the 2015/2016 season.

Kerry is co-founder of the Steamboat Hockey Classic, which since 2013 has welcomed NHL alumni in support of hockey in Steamboat Springs. Efforts from this charity event have raised over $100,000 in benefit to the SSYHA.

Kerry was the Mites head coach from 2013-2018, was instrumental in launching the Introduction to Hockey program in 2015 and in the expansion of a second sheet of ice in Steamboat.

Kerry is the proud father of two hockey players, Claire and Margaux, who's love of the game has officially eclipsed their fathers. From June 2016-April 2018, Kerry took the helm as Director of Program Development for the SSYHA and was elected to the Board in April 2018.

Jason has three boys in SSYHA programs and he currently works as an attorney with Steamboat Lawyers Group, PLLC where he focuses on real estate, business, estate planning and probate matters. Jason has spent a significant amount of time volunteering and serving the community including 6 years on the Steamboat Springs City Council (4 years as President, 2 years as President Pro Tem), over 6 years as a Steamboat Springs Planning Commissioner, multiple terms as a board member for Routt County United Way (including 1 year as President), and time with other nonprofit organizations including STARS (served as Treasurer), Yampa Valley Autism Program, the Steamboat Springs Chamber, First Impressions of Routt County, Steamboat Springs Economic Development Council, Steamboat Springs Education Fund Board, and Seminars at Steamboat. 

Jason’s goals in serving on the SSYHA board are three-fold, namely: 1) to increase retention of hockey players when they complete the Mites program, 2) to focus on fundraising efforts and relationship with the City of Steamboat Springs to complete the second sheet of ice, and 3) to work on improving relationships among coaches and parents in the program to ensure retention of quality coaches and promote positive relationships among players, coaches, and parents. Jason believes that the SSYHA is poised for rapid growth in the years ahead and looks forward to working with the SSYHA board and its members.

Dana moved to Steamboat from the front range in 2017 together with her husband Kiva and two boys Henry and Oliver. She originally hails from the East Coast where she grew up skiing, camping, and biking.

While never playing ice hockey herself, she has fond memories of watching her Dad play rec league hockey so she was excited when Oliver expressed interest in joining the Mites. 

Being a competitive athlete in high school and college, Dana is a big believer in youth sports, recognizing the importance of building a strong work ethic, perseverance, camaraderie, and fostering a lifelong commitment to fitness.

Jeff Walsh grew up in the Midwest, and he has played hockey since he was five years old. He went to boarding school in New England — The Taft School — where he played competitive high school hockey. Then he went on to play club hockey at the University of Michigan. He has been a coach for SSYHA for five years. He was the head coach for the 10U A boys team who won the WCHL league championship. Jeff is an attorney, and he moved to steamboat in 2014 with his wife and three children, two of whom play hockey.

In addition to being a real estate professional with Steamboat Sotheby's International Realty, Cam is a 12U hockey coach and a long standing member of the Steamboat Rotary Club, the Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors, Parks & Recreation Commissioner, and also a soccer and baseball coach. In his off time, Cam enjoys the company of his wife Jill and two kids, Bridger and Sydney, enjoying everything the Yampa Valley has to offer.

Sean’s passion for hockey began as a kid growing up in Colorado and continued with 4 years of club hockey in college and adult league stops in New York City and Denver. He and his family moved to Steamboat in 2019 and they could not be happier with the community. Two of Sean’s daughters were inspired to join the Steamboat hockey program after the Colorado Avalanche’s epic run to the Stanley Cup. Since then, Sean has coached for the Mites and Intro to Hockey program.

Sean is the Co-Founder and COO of AutoSalesVelocity (ASV), a software company focused on inventory management for automotive dealerships. He brings a passion for hockey, a love of youth sports, and extensive business experience to the SSYHA board.

Mike Nelson moved to Steamboat from Boston with his wife Danielle in 2003 and they have been incredibly fortunate to call the Yampa Valley home since. Their two children, Allie and Joey, were born here and have played in SSYHA since starting in the Learn to Skate program. Mike is proud to have served as an assistant and head coach on a number of those teams through the years as well as helped out with the always fun fundraiser the Steamboat Hockey Classic.

Mike is a life-long fan of hockey and enjoys sharing his passion for the sport with the youth of this great community.