MEET TEAM AMP

AMP proudly builds on the foundation laid by its predecessor, Adaptive Adventures (AA). Founded in 1999 by two adaptive athletes with a passion for outdoor adventure, AA spent 25 years delivering impactful programming. In October, 2024, AA transitioned its Midwest office to its National Headquarters in Westminster, Colorado. To continue serving the Midwest, three dedicated volunteers established AMP, receiving AA’s Midwest equipment to carry the mission forward.

With a clear vision and ambitious plans, AMP is ready to thrive for the next 25 years and beyond, starting with its Ski & Ride program at Wilmot Mountain Resort in January, 2025. AMP IS HERE TO SERVE YOU!

Diane Ducy
Lead Stand-Up Trainer and Instructor.

Diane Ducy serves as an AMP Lead Stand-Up Trainer and Instructor. Diane brings more than a decade of experience teaching in the adaptive sports community—on snow, water, and land. With a professional background as a personal trainer, she understands how to activate the body, condition muscles for performance, and tailor instruction to each athlete’s unique strengths and needs.

Diane is a PSIA Alpine-certified instructor and is currently pursuing her PSIA Adaptive certifications. AMP was thrilled to award her the Central Division scholarship to attend the Ski Spectacular National Instructor Academy in Breckenridge in December 2025.

Diane is sure to gain invaluable knowledge from this national training experience—knowledge she will bring back to AMP to support future lead-guide candidates and athletes alike.

Pam Pettit
Lead Stand-Up Adaptive Skier Trainer and Instructor

Pam Pettit has been teaching traditional lessons at Alpine Valley Resort in Elkhorn, Wisconsin for 53 years, beginning as a seasonal instructor while attending UW–Whitewater.

Pam pursued a degree in education and went on to spend her career teaching Special Education—an experience that shaped her patient, skillful, and student-centered approach to instruction.

With her extraordinary teaching background, Pam naturally gravitated toward serving the adaptive sports community. For the past 15 years, she has taught adaptive athletes on snow, water, and land, sharing her deep knowledge and her passion for helping individuals of all abilities progress and thrive.

AMP is extremely fortunate to have Pam training our future instructors. With over five decades of teaching experience, she understands how to help people discover the joy of sliding on snow—no matter their ability, background, or starting point.

Hans Heller
Lead Alpine Trainer and Instructor

Hans Heller, Co-Founder, Secretary, Lead Alpine Trainer & Instructor — brings decades of experience to AMP, including his background as a former PSIA-certified Alpine instructor from his days sliding on the East Coast. Hans’ physical strength, athleticism, and deep commitment to serving skiers of all abilities—especially athletes sliding in sit- skis—position him as an invaluable leader within AMP.

His dedication to teaching and mentorship helps shape the next generation of adaptive instructors, ensuring they continue AMP’s tradition of safety, excellence, and inclusion. He is especially passionate about helping mono skiers build the skills and confidence they need to ski independently—free from relying on AMP—so they can enjoy time on the mountain with family and friends. For Hans, independence is the ultimate goal, andhe takes pride in guiding athletes toward that freedom.

Louise Schuldt
Lead Stand-Up Alpine Trainer and Instructor.

Louise Schuldt serves as an AMP Lead Stand-Up Alpine Trainer and Instructor. Louise brings a wealth of specialized expertise shaped by her long career in education, where she taught children with visual impairments in the classroom—and ultimately found her way to teaching them how to slide on snow.

Louise offers a unique skill set that only someone experienced in guiding individuals with visual disabilities can provide. She is PSIA Alpine certified and draws from her lifelong work to enhance the learning experience for every athlete and volunteer she trains.

AMP is deeply grateful for the knowledge, perspective, and compassion Louise brings to our community. Thank you, Louise, for sharing your exceptional expertise with AMP and helping us serve athletes of all abilities.

Mark Skerencak
Lead Stand-Up Alpine Trainer and Lead Instructor

Mark Skerencak serves as AMP’s Lead Stand-Up Alpine Trainer and Lead Instructor. A PSIA Level 3 clinician, Mark has taught traditional and adaptive lessons for many years and has led continuing education clinics throughout his career. He excels at helping skiers refine their technique and develop strong foundational skills—essential qualities that prepare volunteers to become confident, capable adaptive instructors.

If you’re looking to elevate your personal skiing, spend time on snow with Mark. His technical expertise, clear coaching style, and passion for the craft make every session impactful. He will not disappoint.

Mark is deeply committed to giving back and paying forward the knowledge he has gained over decades on the mountain. AMP is sincerely grateful for his leadership, his generosity, and the expertise he shares with our volunteers and the athletes we are honored to serve.

Mark Skerencak
Lead Stand-Up Alpine Trainer and Lead Instructor

Jim “JD” Derrick serves as an AMP Lead AASI Trainer and Instructor. JD Shas been dedicated to the adaptive sports community on both snow and water for well over a decade. At the national level, he has twice been awarded the NDVWSC Downhill Snowboard Instructor Extraordinaire, recognition that speaks to his extraordinary teaching ability and his profound impact on the Veteran community. JD is credited with saving lives—offering hope, connection, and renewed purpose through his unique ability to meet athletes exactly where they are and guide them forward.

This season, JD is sidelined while recovering from double knee replacement surgeries, yet he continues to give back in every way he can.

Be sure to check out AMP’s new Ski & Ride trailer! JD, owner of Sunset Storage and HWY 164 Self Storage in Waukesha, Wisconsin, generously donated the trailer to support AMP’s growing need for space, mobility, and organization. Whether towing trailers, repairing equipment, or lending a hand behind the scenes, JD is always there—consistently pushing adaptive sports forward in our region.

Jim “JD” Derrick
Lead AASI Trainer and Instructor

JD has been dedicated to the adaptive sports community on both snow and water for well over a decade. At the national level, he has twice received the NDVWSC Downhill Snowboard Instructor Extraordinaire award, reflecting his exceptional teaching skill and profound impact on the Veteran community. JD is credited with saving lives—offering hope, connection, and renewed purpose through his rare ability to meet athletes where they are and guide them forward.

This season, JD is sidelined while recovering from double knee replacements, yet he continues to give back in every way he can.

Be sure to check out AMP’s new Ski & Ride trailer! JD, owner of Sunset Storage and HWY 164 Self Storage in Waukesha, Wisconsin, generously donated the trailer to support AMP’s growing need for space, mobility, and organization. Whether towing trailers, repairing equipment, or lending a hand behind the scenes, JD is always there—quietly and consistently driving adaptive sports forward in our region.

Jill Reifsnider
Lead AASI Trainer and Instructor

Jill Reifsnider is AMP’s Lead AASI Trainer and Instructor, a U.S. veteran, and a lifelong educator both in our school systems and on snow. With multiple master’s degrees in education and counseling, Jill brings a rare and powerful ability to meet athletes exactly where they are, support them with empathy, and coach them toward new heights of skill and confidence.

Jill was honored with the NDVWSC Downhill Snowboard Instructor Extraordinaire award, recognizing her exceptional leadership and instruction at the national level as she worked with fellow veterans.

Before joining AMP, Jill served as the Program Coordinator for Adaptive Adventures, giving her deep experience in guiding instructors, developing curriculum, and delivering high-quality adaptive lessons across a wide range of athlete needs.

Thank you, Jill, for sharing your tremendous talent with AMP and for lifting our athletes, volunteers, and programs to greater heights. Your dedication is felt in every lesson and every life you touch.

Scott Alm
Lead Stand-Up Alpine Trainer and Lead Instructor

Scott Alm serves as an AMP Lead Ski and Ride Trainer and Instructor. Having raised a child with a cognitive disability, Scott understands first-hand how to meet AMP athletes exactly where they are. He brings tremendous patience, a nurturing demeanor, and a genuine joy for serving the adaptivecommunity—an ideal combination that allows him to deliver the best possible lesson experience on snow.

With more than a decade of involvement in adaptive sports across water, snow, and land, Scott’s professional development as a Master Adaptive SCUBA Instructor, combined with his extensive experience teaching on snow, positions him to uphold and advance AMP’s mission every time he serves.

Thank you, Scott, for sharing your time, heart, and expertise with AMP. We are grateful for the impact you make on our athletes and our community.

VOLUNTEERS ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF AMP’S SUCCESS

AMP launched its inaugural Alpine Ski & Ride program at Wilmot Mountain Resort in January 2025.

By the end of the season, AMP had mobilized 43 volunteers who contributed 1,333 hours toward 105 adaptive ski and ride lessons, classroom sessions, and on-snow training.

Thanks to their dedication and gift of time—combined with Vail Resorts’ Epic Promise Grant and the collaborative support of Adaptive Adventures—AMP’s mission has come to life, and our athletes are thriving.

Thank you, volunteers!