They consist of former ski jumper Kristian Anderson, sales and marketing manager Paul Benson, ex-managing director of employee compliance at United Airlines Deborah Edwards, and Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Organising Committee member Mary Leader.

"We look forward to benefiting from the leadership of these individuals to remain a world leader in women's Nordic ski jumping while empowering young women across the United States to soar towards their dreams," a WSJ-USA statement said.

Anderson, executive director of the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art since last February, was the first full-time director of the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries, a national organisation that specialises in education and advocacy for museums, in addition to helping to set museum standards.

"As a former ski jumper from a family that is deeply embedded in the history of ski jumping in the United States, I am excited for the opportunity to give back to a community that gave me so much growing up," said Anderson.

Benson, a native of Killington, Vermont, gained valuable experience during his 17-year career as a sales and marketing manager.

He has been consistently ranked as a top producing agent both locally and internationally since arriving in Utah's Park City, the home of WSJ-USA, in 2005, and is regularly quoted in industry publications that focus on high net worth buyers and sellers.

"I have watched the passionate and tenacious Woman's Ski Jumping USA team fight for years to compete on a level playing field," said Benson

"I look forward to bringing my marketing background and community relationships into play to create even more exposure to help the team."

The United States' Lindsey Van in action at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi
©Getty Images




Prior to her retirement in 2013, Edwards was managing director of employee compliance at United Airlines in Chicago, where she oversaw the integration of HR programmes during the merger with Continental Airlines, for whom she had previously handled international labour and employment compliance.

"While so much has been achieved by WSJ-USA and our talented athletes, there remains much to do to ensure that we continue to develop and support the best women ski jumpers in the world," said Edwards.

"I'm proud to be a part of the WSJ-USA team and look forward to contributing to our future successes."

As well as serving on the Organising Committee during the 1984 Olympics, Leader worked for a major sponsor during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

Prior to relocating to Park City in 2001, she worked for the US Department of the Interior managing community relations for one of America's newest national parks, the Presidio of San Francisco.

"The US Visa Women's Ski Jumping team and its supporters worked relentlessly to accomplish the goal of competing in the Olympics," said Leader.

"My involvement stems from my passion for the sport and desire to increase more interest, recognition, and financial support nationwide for WSJ-USA."

Three US women competed in the Normal Hill competition at Sochi 2014, with Jessica Jerome, Lindsey Van and Sarah Hendrickson 10th, 15th and 21st respectively, after Hendrickson received the honour of being the first ever woman to compete in Olympic ski jumping.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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