Move United, a community-based adaptive sports and recreation organization, announced new board leadership and new board members at its recent board of directors meeting.
Ed Bronsdon, a longtime leader and educator, was elected chair of the board.
He is a graduate of the University of Washington and a certified Alpine Level 3 and adaptive mono-ski specialist two instructor with Professional Ski Instructors of America/American Association of Snowsports Instructors. He also has volunteered as an adaptive ski instructor at The Hartford Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge, Colorado, for the past 17 years.
“I’ve seen firsthand for years how this remarkable organization leads the way towards transformative outcomes for people with disabilities through adaptive sport and recreation,” Bronsdon said. “I look forward to continuing to support our organization’s CEO Glenn Merry as he leads the staff team with their work.”
Joe Walsh, president of Adaptive Sports New England, a Move United member organization in the Boston area, was elected secretary. Walsh is a two-time Paralympian in cross-country skiing, and former managing director of Paralympics for the United States Olympic Committee. He served on Team USA’s delegation staff at six Paralympic Games and as chef de mission at two Parapan American Games. Walsh was the first Paralympic athlete representative elected to the United States Olympic Committee Athletes’ advisory council and board.
In addition, Air Force captain Sarah Evans and Gus LaZear were newly elected to the organization’s board of directors.
While serving in Afghanistan in 2012, Evans was diagnosed with bone cancer, eventually leading to a hip disarticulation amputation of her left leg. Evans was introduced to adaptive sports at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, which led her to compete in the Warrior and Invictus Games. She also completed the 26.2 mile Bataan Memorial Death March on crutches and summited Mt Kilimanjaro, and is a member of the US Women’s National Amputee Soccer Team.
LaZear serves as vice president of operations and Sports & Fitness Center at Ability 360, a Move United member organization in Phoenix. He has more than two decades of experience managing major programs and initiatives in rehabilitative medicine, recreational therapy, outdoor adventures, and other adaptive programming for people with disabilities, including as lead therapeutic recreational therapist at the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix..
“Each of these leaders bring their unique knowledge, skills, and experience to our organization,” said Merry. “As we continue to work toward our Vision 2028 Strategic Plan and beyond, the board will play an integral role in our growth and development.”
