Meet the High Fives Foundation Staff!
High Fives Founder, Roy Tuscany, asked the staff, “What were you grateful for over the 4th of July holiday?”
“Activities and good friends” – Steve Wallace
Program Services Manager
In 2008, Steve suffered a spinal cord injury while skiing in the Granite Chief area at Squaw Valley. After spending a year in different hospitals around the country, Steve returned to Northern California and was introduced to Roy Tuscany. Shortly after the two met in person Roy asked Steve how High Fives could help him, and Steve expressed to Roy his desire to get back out skiing again. In 2010 High Fives helped Steve achieve his goal, and made him the first grant recipient when they bought him all the equipment and lessons needed to get him skiing again in a safe manner. After seeing and experiencing what High Fives Foundation did for him, Steve was honored to pay it forward by helping Roy with athletes and events for the next year. When a position became available, Steve was offered the role of CR Johnson Healing Center Coordinator and graciously accepted.
STAFF MEMBER: 2010-Present
“Living here and enjoying the activities Tahoe/Reno has to offer” – Jack Powell
Head Trainer, CR Johnson Healing Center
Having a background in Kinesiology, Jack moved to Maui, Hawaii to study a specific form of rehabilitation called NeuroKinetic Pilates with the world famous trainer Alejandra Monslave. Since that experience, Jack has brought that knowledge back into the Healing Center, cultivating clients around the country. He now joins High Fives as a permanent employee to run operations of the Healing Center and gain boarder diverse clientele ready to take on their recoveries.
STAFF MEMBER: 2016-Present
“Friends and quality time” – Gina Miele
Events and Partners Manager
Gina began as a valued intern of the High Fives Foundation in the summer of 2014 before finishing her Senior year at the University of Vermont. At school, she was president of the UVM Freeskiing Team and an exceptional student able to juggle days at the mountain with a full course load. Now she’s back making a huge impact with the Foundation as the Events and partners Manager, working on FUNdraising projects across the country.
STAFF MEMBER: 2015-Present
“Traditions and family time” – Jesse Murphy
Director of Development
Jesse Murphy served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2013, but he has been a supporter throughout the history of the organization. He has been involved in the ski industry since the 90s working with brands like Lange, Dynastar and others. Now he is a part owner of Vermont North Ski Shops in Warren, Vermont at the base of Sugarbush Resort. As the Director of Development, Jesse will oversee events on both the East and West coasts. He’s a big part of the exceptional growth of the Foundation, and will help initiate the establishment of an East Coast Healing Center.
STAFF MEMBER: 2015-Present
“Going home to see my family in Minnesota” – Tess Vertin
Grant Writer
Tess began her story in Edina, Minnesota where she was raised by emphatic athletes and surrounded by all kinds of sports including, figure skating and skiing. She graduated from the University of San Diego for English & Communication Studies (Undergrad) and continued her education at USD for a Master of Science in Executive Leadership where she focused on Non-Profit/Charitable accountability. She recently moved to Tahoe/Truckee in June of 2016 to get back to get back to the snow and be near the mountains. When she volunteered with Life Rolls On in Southern California, High Fives was brought to her attention. SHE INSTANTLY FELT AT HOME AT HIGH FIVES THANKS TO THE STAFF AND ATHLETES.
STAFF MEMBER: 2017-Present
“Living close to the lake and beach” – Nico Nordin
Office Accountant
Nico began as a major High Fives supporter, attending most if not all Tahoe High Fives Events. Her passion for helping High Fives Athletes lead to lots of volunteering. Eventually the Foundation grew to a point where employing Nico was not only viable but necessary. Nico manages all office and postal service affairs for the Foundation.
STAFF MEMBER: 2016-Present
“Family and dog Time” – Jake Perkins
Director of Bay Area Development
JAKE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN TRUCKEE, WATCHING HIGH FIVES TAKE ROOT SHORTLY BEFORE ATTENDING DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, WHERE HE COMPETED AS AN NCAA D1 ALPINE SKI RACER WHILE STUDYING GOVERNMENT AND POLICY. HE FIRST JUMPED INTO HIGH FIVES DURING A SUMMER INTERNSHIP, WORKING TO BUILD OUT THE INITIAL #HELMETSARECOOL PRESENTATION PLATFORM. AFTER GRADUATING, JAKE WENT ON TO WORK IN THE SAN FRANCISCO TECH SCENE, BUT RETURNED TO THE FOUNDATION AFTER PITCHING THE IDEA OF INCREASING HIGH FIVES’ PRESENCE IN THE SF BAY AREA. HE NOW WORKS ON SPECIAL PROJECTS ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION WHILE FINDING TIME TO RACE MOUNTAIN BIKES, EAT GOOD FOOD, AND SKI.
STAFF MEMBER: 2017-Present
“Local, fresh fruit. Especially Michigan strawberries” – Becca Lefanowicz
Operations and Network Marketing Manager
Becca is the first High Fives employee born and bred on the west coast, but she’s left her footprints and first tracks all over the globe. She is a celebrated big mountain skier, having once held the title of North Face Young Gun award at the Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships before attending Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. Becca first offered her linguistic and artistic savvy to the Foundation as Social Media Manager and now has evolved into overseeing operations.
STAFF MEMBER: 2014-Present
“Reno Ace’s fireworks ” – Roy Tuscany
Co-Founder | Executive Director
ORIGINALLY FROM WATERBURY, VERMONT AND AFTER GRADUATING FROM UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT WITH A DEGREE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING HE HEADED OUT WEST TO PURSUE THE DREAM OF BEING A PROFESSIONAL FREE-SKIER. IN 2006, ROY SUFFERED A LIFE-ALTERING INJURY THAT LEFT HIM PARALYZED FROM THE WAIST DOWN AND WAS THE CATALYST TO THE CREATION OF HIGH FIVES. ROY TURNED THE FINANCIAL AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT OF HIS OWN RECOVERY INTO A ‘PAY-IT-FORWARD’ ADVENTURE WITH THE CREATION OF HIGH FIVES NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION. HE WAS NAMED THE “SPIRIT INSPIRES” AWARD FROM DISABLED SPORTS USA IN 2011 AND ONCE HELD THE WORLD RECORD FOR THE MOST HIGH FIVES IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD. HE LIVES IN RENO, NV AND ENJOYS FINDING FUN IN EVERYTHING HE DOES.
STAFF MEMBER: 2009-Present
