WEHA BOD ELECTION 2026 & CANDIDATE BIOS

Greetings WEHA Members!

The WEHA Board of Directors election is quickly approaching and we’re hoping for as much participation as possible. Please review the following information, as this year’s election is different than previous years:

-              The election will take place electronically. The Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley will be administering the election and counting all of the votes.

-              On approximately June 1st, members will receive an email with a link to vote. Voting will be open for one week from June 1st - June 8^th. 

-              There are 4 open seats, and more information about the candidates is attached. 

Per the WEHA Bylaws, all active members are eligible to vote in the election. An active member is any one of the following: A designated parent, stepparent, guardian, or other person who pays the participant fee for each registered player in the youth hockey programs; Coaches; active Board Members; and Adult league players. This means that you may be eligible to vote more than once and may receive more than one email; and therefore, more than one ballot. If this applies to you, please be sure to cast each ballot that you receive!

*In case you find this confusing, here’s an example: Family X has two youth players and one parent that played in adult league. They will receive 3 ballots, two designated parent votes, and one for the adult league registration. 

Results will be announced at the Annual Meeting on Monday, June 15^th. Thank you in advance for participating! 

I will be seeking the North District seat.

I have been an enthusiastic hockey dad since my son started playing as a mini mite. He will be a pee wee next season and my youngest daughter started as a mini mite this past year. I currently work in property and HOA management. I previously worked in various leadership positions in ski schools, at Vail, Beaver Creek and CBMR. Prior to working in leadership roles I worked as a coach and instructor. A lot of this work experience included youth programming. I also currently serve on the board of West Elk Lacrosse. I am deeply grateful for West Elk Hockey and the opportunities it has provided. I believe there is a lot of opportunity for hockey to continue to thrive here in the Gunnison Valley. I think my current experience working with HOA boards and my experience in the ski industry as a leader and coach/instructor lends itself to being a productive board member.  

Jesse Drees

Priscila Palhava

Candidate for the West Elk Hockey Association Board of Directors

I am running for the WEHA Board of directors to expand player, coach and referee development,

drive localized fundraising, tournaments, and improve board communication.

Our family is committed to WEHA potentially for the next 7 years. I have two kids in the program, a

girl and a boy (ages 14 and 12). Their father, Tom Collins (TC) is a volunteer coach and WEHA player.

I personally know the grit it takes to learn this sport, having gone from a "never-ever" to playing in the

local Town League.

My Main Goal: To work in the best interest of our players, coaches, and referees.

How I am planning to achieve that:

 By securing more ice time, tournaments and opportunities.

 By bringing education to our program focused on elite sports performance, while providing our

coaches and referees with the training needed to handle athletes.

 By building relationships with outside AA/AAA programs to ensure our athletes can stay rooted

in our local program while giving them a direct bridge to a higher level so they never hit a

developmental ceiling, a reality our family lives daily with both kids playing for WEHA and out-

county AA/AAA teams.

 By recruiting and increasing our social media presence to inspire athletes of all ages to join our

program.

How are we going to pay for that:

 Fundraising: As traditional grants dry up, localized events are critical. Drawing on my

background of 25 years of local leadership running a successful business and fundraising

events for KBUT and Paradise Preschool, I know how to rally our community.

 Local Tournaments and Events: By encouraging more local tournaments and hockey events to

attract other hockey clubs and families to our valley. For the past years there has been a

steady decrease in the tournaments we hold.

 Social media: By using social media to increase our merch sales, fundraising and event

attendance.

I am ready to combine my professional skills, fundraising and business background, our family's deep

dedication and love to the sport to elevate the WEHA experience for everyone.

Thank you

Priscila Palhavã

Scott Reamer has lived in Crested Butte for 25 years and raised four kids in the valley with his wife Megan. Together, they started Jackson’s Chips here in Crested Butte, a snack food company with distribution across the world in more than 27,000 locations. He currently serves as the president of the Board of Directors for the Crested Butte Farmer’s Market, where has served for the last 15 years. Scott joined the WEHA board in 2024 and currently serves as president of the Board. His son Charlie is currently a Sophomore in CBCS and plays hockey for the Titans. Professionally, Scott is a capital allocation expert with a broad mix of skills across three industries: asset management, consumer packaged goods, and management consulting. He was the chief macroeconomic and quantitative strategist managing a $4 billion derivatives portfolio and worked at various investment banks in an institutional research capacity spanning more than 25 years of investment management experience. At Jackson’s he was the CFO and COO helping to raise >$25mm in equity, debt, and working capital, exiting that business to a PE firm in 2020. In his current role as a management consultant, he is an executive in charge of directing the capital allocation process at a $5B global consulting, tax, and assurance firm.

Scott Shondeck has been involved in hockey for nearly his entire life and brings a deep understanding of the sport from the perspectives of player, coach, referee, parent, and community supporter. He began playing hockey in the Gunnison Valley at the age of eight and continued through high school, during which time he actively contributed to fundraising efforts for both the covered outdoor rink and the development of the indoor rink facility.

Following high school, Scott played junior hockey for two organizations before continuing in various adult leagues throughout Colorado. He eventually returned to Gunnison, where he remains actively involved in the local hockey community. For the past three years, he has coached the 6U and 8U youth hockey teams and plans to continue coaching through the levels as his son progresses through the program. In addition, he has served as an adult league referee in the valley for two years.

As both a parent and participant, Scott has demonstrated a strong commitment to the continued growth and success of youth hockey in the valley. Professionally, he and his wife own and operate a local insurance and financial services business, providing him with valuable operational and business management experience that supports the mission and long-term sustainability of WEHA. He is passionate about ensuring the organization continues to grow and operate effectively for the benefit of all players, families, and community members involved in the program.

Danny Unger is a Crested Butte resident and hockey dad with two sons in the program — a Mite and a Peewee — who have been playing in WEHA since the family relocated from Virginia two years ago. Prior to moving to Colorado, Danny spent three years helping oversee a youth inline hockey program, giving him firsthand experience in the administrative and organizational side of the sport. As a small business owner for 15 years, he brings a practical understanding of operations, planning, and community accountability to everything he takes on. Danny is passionate about the game and committed to helping the program grow and thrive for current and future players.

Thank you,

Danny Unger

J Wenum Biography for WEHA Board of Directors

I was initially appointed to the WEHA Board in June of 2023.  The Executive Director at the time asked if I would be interested/willing to serve on the board and represent local Ice Hockey Referees and as a player for the adult league programs.  I accepted the challenge and was appointed along with 2 other people.  Unfortunately, there were not many people interested in helping out on the board so all three of us were appointed.

I became secretary for the board and have been documenting meeting minutes and other actions associated with WEHA’s monthly processes since July of 2023.  I feel I have functioned well in the secretary role and provided solid documentation of the meetings and actions of the board.  

I have also served on the disciplinary committee in the role of USA Hockey referee with knowledge of USA Hockey rules and their interpretations.  Having 22 years of experience as a referee and working youth, adult, high school and college level games and working over 2500 games I am comfortable that my knowledge of the game can provide guidance during disciplinary actions and to our local corps of referees.  I have been a USA Hockey seminar instructor since 2012. 

I have also been an active participant in WEHA activities including as a player, grandparent to a current youth participant, spectator, on and off ice official, and assisted with team selection for B league and with outreach during Cattleman’s days parade, tournaments and other events.  I have been registered and played as an adult league player since fall of 2003 in A league and now currently in B league.  

I hope to continue to give back to a sport and organization that I love and from which I derive a great deal of pleasure and pride.

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Jennifer Willett and I currently hold the At Large seat on the West Elk Hockey Association’s Board of Directors. I am looking to fill one of the upcoming available North seats for a two year term.

I have lived in Crested Butte since 2010 with my husband, Brad, and three children. I have been an active WEHA community member since my son played his first season of hockey as a Mini Mite in 2016. I have served as team manager for every one of his teams. My son has played on the Mountain Select team which has given me additional awareness of peer hockey organizations.

In addition to being an active hockey mom, I have also been very involved as a volunteer member of the Crested Butte PTA for 14 years and am currently the PTA Vice President of the secondary school. My role with the PTA has given me insight to fundraising, community building, and staff retention.

My interest in remaining on the board is to continue to help WEHA to boost fundraising efforts, work towards additional coaching incentives, establish a campaign for referee development and retention, and to overall improve the hockey experience for the West Elk hockey community.

I look forward to extending my opportunity to work with the members of the WEHA Board to continue to grow and enhance the hockey experience in our valley.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Willett