Education Task Force Highlight: Mark Nakada

The Education Task Force Highlight Series spotlights education leaders working to create new Certification Standards, education resources, and communication strategies that will benefit all members.

In this highlight, we sit down with the Children’s Task Force member Mark Nakada.

What task force are you on?

The Children’s Task Force

What’s your current snowsports job title?

PSIA-AASI Intermountain Children’s Program Manager, Member PSIA-AASI Intermountain Board of Directors, and Deer Valley Resort instructor.

Share a brief bio of your professional snowsports instruction history.

I am a tie-loathing entrepreneur, who believes in turning dreams and ideas into reality. A savvy business executive, musician, skier, surfer, and scuba diver, I have more than 25+ years’ experience in increasingly responsible positions in the entertainment, digital media, logistics, and travel/hospitality industries working for diverse companies such as Mediaport Entertainment (now Red Touch Media Ltd.), Delta Airlines Dream Vacations, Overstock.com, and Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort. I am an instructor at the Deer Valley Resort, an instructor with Dive Utah, and Children’s Program Manager for PSIA-AASI Intermountain Division.

What is your current role on the task force?

I’m a member of the Children’s Task Force and I served as a facilitator on the Task Force’s 2020 “Children’s Specialist Standards” engagement.

What are the task force’s main goals and how are you working to accomplish them?

1) Through continued collaboration and transparent communication, we provide our members with consistent children’s snowsports education standards and products across all divisions.

(2) Using my B-School and consulting background to help guide the task force through the Children’s Specialist Standards engagement process.

Why is it important to you to work for the benefit of other members?

I believe that snowsports industry managers/leaders should “give back” to the association’s members by contributing to their educational growth. By developing additional educational programs beyond certification, we can enrich and expand a member’s knowledge base, so they can become a more-valued educator/instructor.

What’s the fun factor?

Sliding on snow with your colleagues, friends, and guests, and sharing these experiences.

Best part of being an instructor?

Sliding on snow with guests, who become your friends, and seeing them progress as they acquire and refine their snowsports skills.