LABS is governed by an Advisory Committee of respected industry leaders and influencers. The committee is focused on creating an agenda for LABS filled with dynamic and innovative educational sessions. We appreciate the time and energy they have and will continue to invest in creating a valuable and professional experience for attendees.
Mary Hodge
Mary has been involved with disability sport since 1988 when she started a local team with cerebral palsy with United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County. She was named head coach of USA Para Powerlifting (USAPP) in 2003 and High Performance Manager in 2013. She’s coached Team USA at four Paralympic Games (2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012) and was Team Leader for the past three Paralympic Games, six World Championships and five Para Pan American Games. Mary was recognized by the USOPC as Volunteer Coach of the Year in 2018 and was named Paralympic Powerlifting Coach of the Year in 2012.
Mike Mushett
Chief Executive Officer of Turnstone, Mike Mushett has devoted more than 35 years to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. He has been a national leader in the development of adaptive recreation and Paralympic sport programs at the community, national, and international levels. Mike holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Recreation & Leisure Services and holds a certificate from the Olympic Sport Leadership Program from the Northwestern University School of Management.
Sonya Norris
Sonya joined the BOEC in March of 2018 as Executive Director, a role that combines her expertise in community and sport program development, fundraising and leadership into one that supports a population she is passionate about serving. After over 10 years as Associate Director Paralympic Programs with the USOPC and 5 years with Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation, Sonya felt that the time was right for a move to Summit County to take on this role overseeing one of the longest running outdoor adaptive sport programs in the country.
Eric Olson
Eric has 20 + years of experience in sports marketing, including leadership positions with Eat Sleep Breathe Lacrosse, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Golf Course Superintendent Assoc. of America (GCSAA). Eric brings with him a deep knowledge of the nonprofit and sports tourism industries through the lens of Rights Holders, National Governing bodies, Sports Commissions, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, and Local Organizing Committees.
Eric has served on various boards nationally and locally including the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Executive Committee, USOC (United States Olympic Committee) Multi-sport Organization Committee and was instrumental in the formation of the Lacrosse Association of Kansas City. He has been a featured speaker and panel guest at various conferences and institutions regarding sports and event management.
He is a graduate of Missouri State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and resides in Kansas City area with his wife and three children.
Jon Schmieder
Jon has over 20 years of direct experience in the sports tourism industry having held the top role with three different sports commissions; Phoenix, Tulsa, and Denver. Schmieder brings a wealth of experience in sports tourism and economic development having also served in lead staff positions for the Senior Olympic Games and Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading. Schmieder twice served as Chairman of the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) and was on the organization’s Executive Committee for six years. While Schmieder served as the President of the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission, the NASC chose the organization as the 2012 Large Market Sports Commission of the Year. Schmieder was named the 2012 CEO of the Year by the Phoenix Chapter of the Organization of Non-Profit Executives. In 2016, Connect Sports honored Schmieder as an industry “Game Changer”. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Arizona. He also holds a master’s degree in higher education leadership from Northern Arizona University.
Cathy Sellers
Recently retired from the United States Olympic Committee. Served the last nine years as the Director of Paralympic Track and Field. A track and field coach for over 40 years at multiple levels- High School level, Collegiate level (Stephen F. Austin State and The Ohio State University) and Team USA.
The Rio Paralympic track and field team garnered 43 medals, more than any sport in Olympics or Paralympics since 1972. Previously served as the Manager of the USOC Coaching program and editor of Olympic Coach magazine prior to Paralympics. Was the Manager for Development Programs for USA Track and Field for eight years managing USATF Coaching Education program, Juniors, Men and Women’s Sport Development.
Ashley Thomas
As a competitive athlete and a believer that adapted sport changes lives in a profound way, allows me to speak, write and advocate with passion and conviction. I have seen and experienced firsthand the life changes sport creates and the independence it fosters. In 2005, I founded Bridge II Sports, which believes in the potential for all people with physical disabilities to ‘Find the Player Within’ building confidence, tenacity, and strength through the power of sport. Ranking 4th in the world, I was a proud member of the USA Paracanoe national team in 2010, ’11 and ’15.