Open the ballot Google Form and vote for up to 4 of the listed nominees. Current SSYHA members may submit one ballot per paid-in-full player from the 2022-23 season. Dual household families should only submit one ballot per player. 
Invalid entries will not be counted.
Voting closes April 12, 2023 at 4pm MT.

Results will be announced at the Spring General Membership Meeting on April 12, 2023 at 6pm, upstairs at the Howelsen Ice Rink. Those elected will fill a 2-year term on the Board. 

There are 4 seats open. Board Nominations were accepted by email until 5pm on March 28, 2023. Nominations are now closed.

Jeff is the current SSYHA Board Vice President who is up for re-election. 

Jeff 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 six years. Last year he was the head coach for the 11U Mountain Select boys AA team.

During his tenure on the board, Jeff has been instrumental in helping the Association raise money for, and decide on, the Edge Boss skills curriculum that has standardized skill instruction across all age levels. He has also been instrumental in guiding the Association to secure weekly goalie coaching for all age groups at Wednesday practices.

Jeff is an attorney, and he moved to Steamboat in 2014 with his wife and three children, two of whom play hockey.  

Contact Jeff: jeff@walshlawdenver.com

Dana is the current Board Treasurer who is up for re-election.

Dana moved to Steamboat from the front range in 2017 together with her husband Kiva and two boys Henry and Oliver.  Both boys got on skates for the first time through the Learn to Skate program at Howelsen Ice rink.  Oliver's interest in skating quickly grew into a love of hockey where he just completed his first season as a 10U Squirt.

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. 

Dana has served as treasurer during her past two years on the Board and is the Advertising and Sponsorship liaison.  She recently joined the Fundraising and Tax Credit Committees for the 2nd sheet of ice.  

Contact Dana: dana_patten@yahoo.com

Jennifer is the current Board registrar/secretary who is up for re-election.

Though I have served on the board for the last couple of years, I would like to be considered for an additional term on the SSYHA board.  I have two players (14U coed &12U Girl) in the program.  Over the last few years there has been significant growth in the girls program.  This year I was able to participate more in this program and would like to continue to help grow and improve for the coming season with the knowledge I gained this past season. 

I am also involved with IRAC  (Ice Rink Advisory Committee) working to improve the overall experience and progress towards a second sheet at Howelsen Ice arena.  

If selected I will continue to listen to suggestions and feedback from our members to help make our association one of the best.

Thank you for your consideration.  Go Stampede!

Contact Jennifer: jfgibson5@gmail.com

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. Along the way, Sean has
coached a variety of youth sports and was recently nominated for a Colorado Soccer Association Coach
of the Year award. 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 will bring a wealth of business experience to the SSYHA board. He is the Co-Founder and COO of
AutoSalesVelocity (ASV), a software company focused on inventory management for automotive
dealerships. ASV was formed in 2005 and has since grown to serve more than 1000 dealerships across
North America. Sean is excited to help with the expansion of a second sheet of ice in Steamboat, help
grow Steamboat’s excellent girls hockey program, and continue to coach as much as he can.
Sean will bring a passion for hockey, a love of youth sports, and extensive business experience to any of
the challenges that the SSYHA board will face.

Contact Sean: sean.benderly@gmail.com

I am married to Dervla Lacy and our three boys all play in the SSYHA with Declan transitioning to 2nd year of PeeWees, Ronan transitioning to first year of Squirts, and Lochlan joining the Mites. My family has given significant time to the SSYHA over the past several years including my wife serving as team manager for the 12UA team this past season and I have assisted with negotiations with the City of Steamboat Springs on the finalization of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding which will hopefully result in the long-needed second sheet of ice.

I believe that my background, experience and relationships will serve the SSYHA well if I am elected. I currently work as an attorney with Steamboat Lawyers Group, PLLC where I have worked on numerous real estate, business, estate planning and probate matters during my 11 years as partner with the firm. I have also 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. I have a strong financial background as a former CPA and experience in managing multi-million dollar budgets for many of the organizations noted above. I am also currently serving on the Fundraising Committee for the second sheet of ice.

If I am elected, my goals in serving on the SSYHA board would be 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. I believe that the SSYHA is poised for rapid growth in the years ahead if the pieces above fall into place and a strong board is ready to lead. I would love to be a part of this team and I would appreciate your vote.

Contact Jason: jlacy@steamboatlawyersgroup.com

My name is Jeff Rodriguez and I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered for a position
on the SSYHA Board. My family and I moved to Steamboat in July 2020 and while Steamboat
has been our home for only a few years, we have already grown to love this town and its
community. I believe that joining the SSYHA board would be a great way to increase my
involvement in both the program and community and to further contribute to the place that we
now call home.

A little about myself. My wife Stephanie and I married in 2012 and we have two children. Our
daughter Danica (9) played Mites for one season and recently developed a passion for figure
skating. Our son Blake (7) participated in the Intro program and is currently enjoying playing
Mites. Over the past three seasons I have had the pleasure of coaching both of our children
and have witnessed firsthand our son’s development and passion for hockey grow. While I did
not grow up playing hockey, I instantly found a love for the game playing as a young adult and
still play in the adult rec leagues today. In my youth I played competitive baseball and club
soccer at the highest levels. Some of my best youth memories include traveling around the
country with my teammates and playing tournaments in Europe.

What do I bring to the SSYHA Board? I have 8 years’ experience in the commercial construction
industry and a bachelor’s degree in construction management. My experience in this industry
would be an asset to the board as the second sheet of ice at Howelsen looks to become a
reality. Currently, I am the president of a small sales company and this leadership experience
has equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive organizational growth and
ensure sound financial stewardship for long-term success.
In summary, hockey is my passion and I can think of no better way to give back to the sport and
community than by representing SSYHA. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the
development and success of the youth hockey in Steamboat. Thank you once again for your
time and considering my application.

Contact Jeff: snjrod1231@yahoo.com