Adam Baillargeon was born and raised in Maine. The time he spent with friends and family on the slopes of New England helped foster an unbelievable desire to be in the mountains. An avid enthusiast of all things snow-sport related, Adam has followed his dream of becoming immersed in the action sports community. After battling and overcoming a rare form of cancer, he was lucky enough to qualify for a Make-A-Wish trip to Squaw Valley USA to ski with the late, great Shane McConkey in 2001. His connection with Shane and the multitude of pro skiers in the Lake Tahoe area led Adam back to California. For the last 5 years he has been working in the winter action sports, marketing field. He is thrilled to be able to give back and to make more connections in the industry. The opportunity to work with and develop such an amazing organization as is the High Fives Non-Profit Foundation is a dream come true. You can find Adam in the office at his current position as Sales/Marketing Manager at SnowBomb in Tahoe City, CA at his house in Truckee, CA or skiing much too fast for his own good on the slopes of Lake Tahoe's ski areas.
Dana was born and raised in the great state of North Dakota and moved to Minnesota when he was 12 years old. He started skiing at Bottineau Winter Park, ND at the age of 2 and fell in love from day one. After graduating High School in Buffalo, MN Dana moved to Incline Village, NV to pursue his dream of ski racing and getting an education at the same time. It worked out perfectly well and he fell in love with Lake Tahoe! After graduating, Dana moved to Lebanon, NH where he started working in the ski industry for Elan. Shortly after an 8 month reign as the Race Director for Elan he moved up the street to work for Tecnica/Volkl/Marker as the US Ski Team Equipment Manager. Dana traveled the world building boots and being the liaison between athlete and factory. In January 2008, he moved back to the Tahoe area and started working exclusively for Tecnica and not 6 months later he was in deep with Blizzard Skis as well. Working in Promotions for these companies he’s been re-pioneering the brand BLIZZARD Skis and providing energy to Tecnica as well. Over the summer of 2009 the companies put Dana on ‘furlough’, which freed up a lot of time to get the ball rolling for High Fives. “Currently, I juggle my schedule to make sure that High Fives gets a part of my weekly routine and I love working to help people. The foundation is strong and I can’t wait to help provide funding to help the cause. High FIVE!!”
Jeff was born and raised on Bainbridge Island, WA, learning to ski at Stevens Pass and Whistler/Blackcomb. “Skiing has always been my greatest passion in life and it led me to the mountains of Colorado for my college years. Upon graduation from CSU, I moved back west to Lake Tahoe to enjoy all this amazing place has to offer. The sport of skiing has given me so much joy and pleasure in my life I have felt like I need to give something back, hence my involvement with the High Fives Non Profit Foundation. I hope my dedication to the sport and my positive outlook on life will encourage High Fives throughout the ski industry and around the world.”
Born and raised at sea level, James grew to be a passionate action sports enthusiast surfing the waters of the Atlantic in the summer and sliding the slopes of Vermont in the winter. A University of Vermont Alumni, he spent six years of his early twenties getting hyped on Red Bull working for their marketing team in Vermont and later in New York. Deciding it was time for a change, James landed himself in Lake Tahoe where he connected with Roy Tuscany, fellow High Fives Foundation co-founder. While his time in Tahoe may be viewed as short in comparison to others, his positive energy and love for skiing translated into the creation of what is now High Fives Foundation. James has returned to New York and is continuing his education to become a registered nurse, recently gaining acceptance to Stony Brook University's BSN program. In the meantime, he is successfully holding down weekend warrior status on the slopes of Vermont and New Hampshire, chasing pow wherever he can slay it. Check out what he's up to at www.hotbutterblog.blogspot.com.
Roy Tuscany was born and raised in the “802” or in layman terms Vermont, the ski industry was introduced to him through working at Vermont North Ski Shop in Waitsfield. Throughout college, he pursued a professional skiing career by representing Dynastar, Lange, Look, Smith Optics, Obermeyer, Drop Gloves, Sugarbush, and Vermont North Ski Shop. Travelling around the country to compete in events, photo shoots and the most important thing skiing with John Egan and the Vermont North Pro Team. After graduating from the University of Vermont in 2004 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering degree he headed out to California to coach the freeride team at Sugarbowl Academy under childhood hero Eric Deslauries. In 2006, he suffered a life-altering injury at Mammoth Mountain and his pursuit of a professional skiing career ended but his personality became extremely positive. Wanting to return the support that he received from multiple communities and his amazing parents, his days in the hospital were spent focusing on rehab and the idea of a non-profit. Now 3 1/2 years later, High Fives non-profit Foundation was formed to raise money and awareness for athletes that suffer a life-altering injury while pursuing a dream in the winter action sport community. He lives in Truckee now, and holds positions with the Mountain Forge, Smith Optics, Cleverminds tutoring service, and operates High Fives.
