Photos left to right: Katie Ahern with Program Coordinator Betsy Hoffmeister; Program Coordinator Oliver Silberstein with Todd and Lisa Presson; and Stew Stryker with Senior Program Coordinator Tom Alcorn.
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports has named four individuals as its 2025 Volunteers of the Year, recognizing their year-round commitment to the organization’s mission of empowering individuals with disabilities through sports and recreation.
Honored this year are Lisa and Todd Presson of Panton, Katie Ahern of East Thetford and Stew Stryker of Windsor. The annual award is given in honor of the late Jim Hutchinson, a long-time volunteer whose leadership helped shape the organization for more than a decade.
“These individuals represent what it means to be deeply committed to our programs and participants—not only at their home mountains or summer locations, but across the state, throughout the year,” said Erin Fernandez, executive director of Vermont Adaptive. “We’re proud to honor them with this award in Jim’s memory.”
Lisa and Todd Presson, who began volunteering in 2021, participated in more training sessions this past winter than any other Vermont Adaptive volunteers. They supported lessons in both tethering and snowboarding instruction. Lisa volunteered regularly with the Special Olympics Vermont team at Sugarbush, while Todd stepped in to cover lessons on both weekdays and weekends when needed. In the summer, the Pressons helped with the organization’s Veteran Ventures pickleball program and were active representatives at community outreach events.
Katie Ahern also began volunteering in 2021, balancing her time as a volunteer with her professional work as a special educator and school administrator, as well as being a parent to a participant. She supported programs and events statewide, from ski days at Pico Mountain to paddling outings, outreach events and bike rides. Ahern is active with Vermont Adaptive’s school group programs, the Special Olympics Vermont team, and vacation-week lessons, often coaching and teaching students of all abilities. She is also known among volunteers and staff for bringing cookies—especially the espresso ones.
Stew Stryker, a volunteer at Vermont Adaptive since 1987, has been involved in nearly every facet of the organization. He instructs in skiing, cycling and paddling programs, and supports numerous fundraising events including the Vermont 100, the Vermont 50, and the former Charity Challenge. Over nearly four decades, Stryker has trained many of the organization’s instructors and played key roles in both instruction and event operations. He is also a longtime Scout leader and supporter of community-based initiatives.
The Volunteer of the Year Award honors the legacy of Jim Hutchinson, who began volunteering with Vermont Adaptive in 1994 and helped expand the organization’s reach and impact before his passing in 2008. Each year, the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership, dedication and an ongoing commitment to inclusion and adaptive sports.
For more information or to become a volunteer, visit vermontadaptive.org.
About Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is a nationally recognized organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming regardless of ability to pay. In addition to sports, year-round programming options integrate environmental, holistic wellness, and competitive training philosophies for people of all ages with cognitive, developmental, physical, and emotional/behavioral disabilities. Sports and recreational opportunities include alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, cycling, mountain biking, sailing, rock climbing, horseback riding, Veterans programs and retreats, and more. More than 400 volunteers serve athletes from all over the world at Vermont Adaptive’s current winter program locations including Pico Mountain, Killington; Sugarbush Resort/Mt. Ellen, Waitsfield; Bolton Valley Resort, Bolton; Saskadena Six Ski Area, Woodstock; Bromley Mountain, Peru; Stratton Mountain Resort, Stratton; and other various mountains upon request. In the summer and fall seasons, the organization provides adaptive adventures throughout Vermont including on the Burlington waterfront and bike path on Lake Champlain, Chittenden County, Waterbury/Montpelier and Mad River Valley, Rutland and Windsor Counties and points south. For a complete map of program locations and offerings, visit vermontadaptive.org.
KILLINGTON, Vt. (Dec. 17, 2025) — Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports
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