James Isham has been a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America since 1960. The Rocky Mountain Division has more then 12,000 members and includes the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arizona and Wyoming. PSIA is recognized nationally as the authority on proper instructional technique and is the certifying body for ski instructors. He has held many of the top elected posts at Regional and National PSIA levels. He is a major contributor to the formalization and definition of ski instruction and to the expansion of PSIA.

James has been a guest lecturer for National Ski Areas Association, National Ski Patrol and PSIA in their fall seminar series which travels from coast to coast giving lectures and training on various aspects of ski area operation. He has lectured on topics including: Risk Management, Skier Safety and Management Development and Training.

National Leadership Highlights:

• National Board of Directors (PSIA).
• Chairman, National Ski School Management Committee.
• National Education Committee 1987-1992.
• Chairman, National Ski Safety, Education Committee.
• National Certification Committee 1987-1992.
• PSIA Education Committee 1979-1986.
• PSIA Safety Committee, 1983-1992.
• Divisional Representative (PSIA-RM).
• National Ski School Directors Committee 1983-1992.
• Seminar leader for PSIA and NSAA management training.
• Conducted series of seminars across the country for the purpose of better educating ski area management in the latest staff training, risk management and safety programs in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1997.
• Chairman, PSIA-RM Ski School Management Committee, 1988-1992.
• Member School Management Committee 1992 to Present

PSIA-Rocky Mountain Division Leadership:

• 1964-present, Board of Directors
• 1972-1978, Certification Vice President
• 1979-1983, President
• 1981-1987, Education Vice President
• 1988-1992, PSIA Representative, Ski School Directors Comm.
• 1992-1999, Member, Ski School Management Committee

Major Contributions to PSIA and PSIA-Rocky Mountain Div:

• Founded Divisional Clinic Program. This program now operations all training programs for PSIA-RM and has been adopted by all other PSIA divisions.
• Created and implemented the Divisional Clinic Leader Program. This program defines the standard nationwide for instructor education at the divisional levels. The DCL brings the national guidelines of the PSIA directly to the individual ski instructor through clinics and examinations.
• During tenure as President, established the educational master plan which has been adopted by many PSIA divisions.
• As certification Vice President, wrote and produced the first certification handbook for candidates and examiners.
• As Education Vice President, created special training and education program for children's instructor.
• Served as a PSIA Examiner for ski instructor certification from 1969 to present.

Contributions to Education:

• Keynote Speaker, Central Division PSIA, 1990, Fall Seminar
• Keynote Speaker, Canadian Alliance, 1993
• Designed curriculum and hired staff for New Mexico Highlands University Associate of Arts degree course in ski instruction.
• Established curriculum and conducted a course in Ski School Management for Colorado Mountain College.
• Staff Guest Lecturer for NSAA Fall Seminar National Tour, 1987-1997

Racing & Ski Coaching Experience:

• Current member U.S. Ski Coaches Association, Certified Coach
• Eldora Ski Area, Racing Coordinator for NASTAR, Businessmen's League and Race Camps, 1989-1990
• Adult Recreational Race Training Coordinator, Copper Mountain Resort, 1981-1988
• NASTAR Race Coordinator, Taos, Ski Valley 1979-1981
• Race Coordinator, Coronet Peak, New Zealand 1969-1971
• NASTAR Pace Setter 1972-1985

Memberships:

• National Ski Patrol
• American Society of Testing and Materials
• United States Ski Coaches Association, Certified Coach
• United States Ski Association

Colorado Ski Country USA:

• Professional Ski Instructors Association:
• Awarded recognition and lifetime membership in 1991
• Consultant for safety and risk management
• Member task force on skier safety, 1989-1990

American National Red Cross:

• Staff Instructor, American Red Cross National Aquatics School, Lake Murray, Oklahoma
• First Aid Instructor
• Water Safety Instructor

Members, United States Professional Tennis Association:

• 1980-1991 Examiner of Tennis Instructors for United States Professional Tennis Registry
• 1976-Staff Tennis Instructor, Vic Braden , Coto de Caza, California
• 1980-1987 Head Tennis Professional Copper Mountain Resort, Colorado
• 1988-1991 Staff Insurance, Quail Ridge Inn, Taos, New Mexico

Management Training:

• Advance Management Studies, Mountain State Employers Council
• Advance Presentation Skills, AT&T National Training Center, Denver, Colorado
• Management Development, Copper Mountain, Colorado
• Management and Personnel Training, Mountain States Employer Council, Denver, Colorado

Education

• Texas Tech University, 1958-1962, Major English Literature, Business Minor, Master Program