Jim Decker
​Year inducted: 2019
Primary Patrol: Holiday Valley, NY
Years of Service: 30

Leadership Roles, Program Activity, Awards and Recognitions:

• 1996-2002 Western New York Region Section Chief
• 2002-2008 Western New York Region Director
• 2002-2008 Eastern Division Board of Directors
• 2008-2014 National Ski Patrol Board of Directors
• 1989-2008 Outdoor Emergency Care Instructor
• 1999-2008 Instructor Development Instructor
• 2010-2017 Instructor Development Instructor Trainer
• 2000 Distinguished Service Award
• 2001 National Appointment Number 9340
• 2004 Purple Merit Star
• 2006 Blue Merit Star
• 2017 The Patrollers Cross
• 2017 Yellow Merit Star
• 2018 Blue Merit Star

Contributions to the National Ski Patrol:

Jim Decker began his ski patrol career in 1989 at Holiday Valley Ski Area in Western New York. He was a highly regarded career educator and coach with a calm demeanor which served him well throughout his patrol career. He quickly advanced to a Senior Alpine Patroller and his contributions at the local and region levels were immediate, meaningful and noteworthy. He was always respectful, logical, impersonal and effective. He was an active and accomplished Instructor and Instructor Trainer for two decades. Jim termed-out as the Region Director in 2008, took a deep breath and was immediately elected to the National Board of Directors. During his six years on the Board, Jim chaired the Governance Committee, served on the Audit Committee and continued to serve (at large) on the Bylaws Committee for two years after his term ended in 2014. Throughout his tenure on the National Board of Directors, his exceptional leadership skills and his ability to calmly, logically, respectfully and effectively resolve any issue facing the Board earned him the respect and accolades of his peers.