SAM Magazine—Ishpeming, Mich., Oct 26, 2015—The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame has chosen seven pioneers to join the Hall as part of the Class of 2015. SAM Magazine—Ishpeming, Mich., Oct 26, 2015—The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame has chosen seven pioneers to join the Hall as part of the Class of 2015. They are: freestyle skiing world champions Genia Fuller and Bob Salerno; David Ingemie, president and CEO of Snowsports Industries America (SIA); former Skiing magazine publisher Henry Kaiser; three-time Olympic snowboarder Chris Klug; sit skiing innovator Jim Martinson; and the late Edgar Stern, who developed Deer Valley Resort.

“Each member of the Hall of Fame's Class of 2015 was a remarkable leader as an athlete or sport builder,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame chairman Tom Kelly. “So much of what all of us enjoy in our sport today has emanated from the outstanding honored members of the Hall of Fame.”

The induction ceremony will take place April 9, 2016, at the St. Regis Apsen Resort in Colorado. In September 2016, the Class of 2015 will be enshired into the Hall of Fame in located in Ishpeming, Michigan.

About the honorees:

Framingham, Mass., native Genia Fuller was an early freestyle skiing pioneer, well-known for her aerials and pole-free ballet skiing. Highly admired as one of the sport's sweethearts, Fuller won world championship titles in 1975 and 1978.

David Ingemie of Fitchburg, Mass., has spent more than 45 years marketing skiing and snowboarding to the masses. Since 1981, he's been the president and CEO of Snowsports Industries America (SIA). Ingemie plans to retire in January 2016.

Henry Kaiser, originally from New York City, is best known for his 35-year stint as the publisher of Skiing magazine. During his tenure, Kaiser helped grow and promote the sport of freestyle skiing. Kaiser and his wife, Carolyn, also helped raise more than one million dollars for the U.S. Ski Team through their years of work with the New York Ski Ball.

Colorado native Chris Klug is an early snowboarding pioneer. He competed at three Winter Olympic Games and won the bronze medal in giant slalom in 2002 –less than two years after having a liver transplant, which was required due to a birth defect. Klug has established the Chris Klug Foundation to promote organ and tissue donation.

Washington-born ski racer Jim Martinson lost his legs in 1967 during the Vietnam War. In 1985, he created a sit ski known as “The Shadow” that helped promote adaptive skiing. Martinson went on to win a gold medal at the 1992 Paralympic Games. As a sign of his durability, he was the oldest competitor at the 2009 X Games.

Ogden, Utah, native Bob Salerno spent 25 years as a competitive skier. At the World Championships in 1974, he won the gold medal for aerials. In 1998, he secured first place at the Wayne Wong World Championships in Hot Dog Skiing. Salerno has been featured in several ski films and created ‘Virtual Snow' ski training simulators.

New Orleans native Edgar Stern was involved in the development of both Park City and Deer Valley resorts. He invested in the Park City Ski Area and attracted the U.S. Ski Team to train there. He then went on to establish Deer Valley Resort and forged its reputation for providing the ultimate in guest service. He died in 2008.

Now home to 410 honorary members, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2016.

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