Competition Teams Coach Profiles
Meet our coaches:
Jim Catalano
Program Director and Head Coach
Certification:
- USSA Level 400 (National) Certified Alpine Coach
- Director / Head Coach Junior 1-5 programs and FIS
- Director / Head Coach Hunter Mountain’s Summer Ski Camp
- Head Coach NYSSRA Champs Camp
- Head Coach NYSSRA Junior 3 Junior Olympic Team Camp
- USSA Eastern Region Staff Coach J2 National Championships
- USSA Alpine Coaches Education Instructor
- American Sport Education Program Instructor
- NY State Ski Racing Association Coaches Education Committee
- PSIA Member and guest coach
- Level III Referee
- U.S. liaison to Schild Ski Racing Academy, Saalfelden, Austria
Years Coaching:
Began coaching in 1981
Education:
BFA - Graphic Design, SUNY New Paltz
Past Experience:
- Began coaching in 1981 for Holiday Mountain, Monticello, NY
- Head J3 coach Hunter Mountain 1985-1990
- Director of Fine Young Dynamo's - Introduction to ski racing, and staff coach Alyeska Ski Club, Girdwood, Alaska
- Racing Programs Director for Hunter Mountain, Hunter, NY since 2000
Outside of skiing:
- To raise awareness, advocate and educate people about Food Allergies and Anaphylaxis
- Winning a stage of the Tour of Anchorage, Alaska State Games Medalist Mountain Bike and Road
- Placing in the top 20 at the NORBA National Mountain Bike Championships expert class cross country at Mount Snow
- Competing in the UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships, Bromont, Que., CAN.
Prior to becoming the Program Director for Hunter Mountain I was an Art Director / Graphic Designer for over 15 years. During that time I designed work for the cable television industry, IBM and a greeting card company. I continue to do freelance graphic design working as Alpine Design Haus.com with Ski Racing Development (SRD) and Hudson Valley Montessori Educators.
Alpine Team
Gary Blanch
Certification: PSIA Level 3, USSA
Years Coaching: 8 years; all at Hunter Mtn.
Past Experience: 7 years Coaching Teen Pro Development Skiers
Accomplishments / Interests: B.S., John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, N.Y.C, Professional background: NYPD Lieutenant, Ret. (1986-2008), Skiing, Scuba Diving, Golf, Guitar, Dirt bike riding, Motorcycle riding
Katie Giannini
Certification:
- PSIA Level III
- USSA/NYSSRA- Alpine Coach, Alpine Official, Alp: CO1, RF1
Experience, Background and Interests:
- Undergraduate: Special Education / Psychology
- Graduate: Special Education
- Post Graduate: Certificate in Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment Design
Coaching and Related Experience:
- Hunter Mountain coach- J5's, Hunter Mountain Ski School exam training coordinator, Assistant Training Coordinator under Ray Allard, Staff trainer/exam training specialist, PSIA A.R.T. and Area Rep, Adaptive Sports Camp Director (15 years)
- Entering 29th year of teaching and coaching skiing as a certified instructor
- Other interests: hiking, golf, cycling, gardening, fitness, cooking, travel
Galen Gobillot
Certification:
- USSA Level 100 coach, Technical delegate 1, Timing and Calculations 1, Referee 2, Course Official 2, Chief of Course 2
Experience, Background and Interests:
Competition Experience
- 1978-1981 Berkshire School Ski Team; League champions
- 1980 J.O. Downhill, Whiteface Mt.
- 1980-1982 Eastern FIS and Nor-Am Speed events
Coaching Experience
- 12/95-3/07 Head JI-II and FIS level coach, Catamount Racing
- 12/97-3/07 Program Head coach, Catamount Racing
- 2000-2001 Alpine Coach, Berkshire School
Athlete Placement
- Catamount Racing Athletes in post-season Championship events in all but 2 of 13 seasons
- Championship event winners in speed in ’04, ’05 and ‘07
- Former athletes competing in USCSA and NCAA Div.I programs
Technical
- Service tech for Ford Pro Downhill Series, French and Canadian teams
Ed Gudlauski
Why I Coach:
I absolutely love skiing and all that goes with it. After more than ten years as a Professional Ski Instructor and Race Coach I am as enthusiastic about it today as ever. I especially enjoy working with kids and have a passion for coaching them. There just is no satisfaction greater than the “I got it” twinkle in a kid’s eye and knowing that you helped put it there.
Certifications:
- PSIA: Level 3
- USSA: Level 100 Coach,…Level 200 cert in progress.
- Certified Referee
- National Academy of Sports Medicine: Personal Trainer
Occupation:
Global Manufacturing Systems Architect
Professional Background:
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Information Technology
Hobby Interests:
- Auto restoration and tuning
- Shaker/ Arts & Craft style furniture and cabinet making
- Wines and cooking
Sports Interests: (other than skiing)
Cycling
Kayaking
Hiking
Rich Hawks, Jr.
Certification:
PSIA Level III, USSA Alpine Coach and Alpine Official
Experience, Background and Interests:
- First Aid, NYSSRA Member, NCAA Division III racer - Franklin Pierce College
- Started at Hunter as a J6 coach in 1989. Had the pleasure to teach Jeremy “Worm” Transue. Has had the opportunity to teach both children and adults over the past years on staff.
- Hunter Mountain Racing Foundation Board of Directors.
Brian Perez
Certification:
Experience, Background and Interests:
I am from a generation of skiers that love to ski fast and have fun. I have competed for Hunter as a J3 and J1-2. I continued to race along with coaching throughout college. I have coached Boys soccer at Onteora High School for the past three years. My interests include most active things outdoors; soccer, hiking, biking, volleyball, softball, racquetball, snowshoeing, photography, travel, and most of all skiing. I always enjoy good people and lots of fun.
Doug Schmidt
Certification:
- PSIA Level 3
- USSA Level 100 Coach
Years Coaching: 20+ years total, 15+ years full time
Past Experience:
- Hunter Mountain Head J1-2 coach
- Ski School Director for Tanglewood and Ski Big Bear
- Race Director for Tanglewood and Ski Big Bear
Accomplishments / Interests: Ski Instructor of the year 2001 – Hunter Mountain
Paul Thienpont
Certification:
Years Coaching: Rookie
Past Experience: I am a former Hunter Mountain Racing Foundation ski racer. Raced for SUNY University at Albany.
Accomplishments / Interests: Skiing, Golfing, and Hiking.
FREESTYLE TEAM
Brook Cleveland
Certification:
- Level 1 & 2 Aerials USSA
- PSIA Level 1
Experience, Background and Interests:
- Windham Freestyle team 1989 to 1994
- Hunter Freestyle Team 1994-97
- Lake Placid Freestyle team 1997-99
- Squaw Valley CA Freestyle team 1999-2001
- US National and US selections
- Mogul, and Aerial competitions
- Freestyle skiing Scholarship, North Country Community College in Lake Placid
- Olympic Regional Development Authority Supervisior for Sports Development
Sports included: - Luge, Bobsled, Skeleton, Aerials, Skiing, Cross country skiing, Trampoline, Nordic Jumping, Hockey and CURLING!!!
- Trampoline Coach ORDA
- Built World Cup Freestyle Course for ORDA at White Face
- Certified Physical Education Teacher
- Main area of study was Special Education
- NYS Physical Education Major of the Year 2004
- United States Physical Education Major of the Year Award winner 2004
- Coached at hunter the season of 1996-97 while competing
- Coaching hunter 2005 to present
Employed by the FDNY, stationed in Da Bronx. This year will be building the World Cup freestyle and slopestyle course in Lake Placid.
Mike Hertler
Certification:
Experience, Background and Interests:
Greg Isola
Certification:
- USSA Freestyle 100 and 200 aerials
Experience, Background and Interests:
- Hunter Mountain Freestyle Coach since 2001
- In the off-season from skiing I spend most of my free time training on the road bike and racing USCF Cat. 4-5; I have ridden numerous century plus rides and qualified for Empire State Games.
- Other interests are jet skiing and golf.
- Besides my part-time position as freestyle coach, I own and operate a Design Drafting and Consulting Service for residential homes on Long Island.
Phil Lidlow
Certification:
- USSA Freestyle Level 1, USSA Freestyle Official Chief of Scoring, PSIA Level 3
Experience, Background and Interests:
- Ski Instructor 4 Years
- Ski Coach Seasonal Program 2 Years
- Ski Coach Freestyle Program 2 Years
- Ski Coach / Student @ Lake Placid Water Ramps 6 Years
- 25+ Years New York City Financial Industry Technical Support Currently Network Engineer
- Recreational Soccer Coach 6 Years
- Wrestling Coach 2 Years
- Saltwater Fishing Guide and Competitor for Life
Bill Murdy
Certification:
- PSIA Level 3, USSA Level 2AI
Experience, Background and Interests:
- Coaching at Junior Olympics, Nor-Ams and Nationals
- Off Season – Surfing, Fishing, Triathlons
J6 TEAM
George Gorsky
Certification: PSIA Level I
Experience, Background and Interests:
10 years teaching skiing (3 years developing J6 program at hunter), USMC, off season specialize in tree climbing and removal. Born and raised in Nyack, NY, now reside in hunter due to my passion of skiing and the outdoors. Summer activities include downhill mtn biking, dirtbiking and thinking about the upcoming ski season.
Stephanie Kechian
Certification:
Experience, Background and Interests:
- I have experience from coaching at Sterling Forest night training from 2001 to 2004, ages 7-15.
- Instructor at Sterling Forest
- Raced at USSA Eastern Finals
- Captain High School Ski Team
Larissa DeMelo
Snowboard Team
Michael "Pablo" Dawybida
Certification:
Years Coaching: Rookie
Past Experience: Hunter Mountain Snowboard School
Accomplishments / Interests:
