by Peter Buss, Division Director | Sep 12, 2026 | Division News, National News
One thing is for certain: summer is slowly dying, and we are moving towards my favorite season. Depending on which long-range forecast you follow, we are either going to have an epic El Niño winter or a very wet winter. I’m going to believe that conditions will be great! Last week my local ski shop called to tell me my new skis were in, and now, on to the search for some new boots for this winter!!
As we move into fall, lots of exciting events are happening in the Eastern Division. Local areas are gearing up for their OEC and On the Hill Refreshers. I’m looking forward to getting back together with my home patrollers and catching up on everyone’s summer adventures.
The Eastern Division Board has also been busy during the off-season. In June, we passed the FY 2027 budget. We were able to fund all the programs with small increases to each program’s budget. I’d like to thank the hard work of the finance committee along with the program supervisors/advisors for the work put into the budgeting process. They all certainly know how to stretch their resources. Two highlights are the purchase of a Cascade break-down carbon fiber AKJA four-handle toboggan and no Eastern Division dues increase. The new AKJA toboggan is starting to become the go to toboggan in back country and off-piste rescue. Jay Peak is already integrating them into their toboggan livery. This AKJA will be used for training at Nordic/Backcountry and patroller schools, keep an eye out for it.
There have also been a few new members stepping up to guide programs and committees. I’d like to welcome Matt Karpinecz as the new Mountain Travel & Rescue (MTR) program supervisor and Jennie Sakimura as the Memorial Scholarship Fund Advisor. They will both do a great job. Special thank yous go to Joni Porter, outgoing MTR supervisor, and Harriet Frawley, outgoing Memorial Fund Advisor, for their years of service and guidance. Stay tuned in the next couple weeks for announcement of a few more program leadership changes.
Summer training events are wrapping up, and everyone has been busy. This summer we had two bike patroller schools, a certified boot camp, AMN refresher, and the Enhanced Patroller School is scheduled for September 18-20. It was a pleasure to work alongside many of the dedicated patrollers at boot camp and AMN. This year’s certified boot camp had a very special event. Former Division Director and National Board Member John Kane was inducted into the National Ski Patrol Hall of Fame. An article with John’s accomplishments is in this issue so please give it a read. Congratulations John on a truly well-deserved and overdue honor.
Winter training events are getting scheduled, and I encourage everyone to check out the calendar at patrollerschool.org. Many of the events fill quickly so don’t wait if there is something you want to attend.
This year we will be having an election for five National Board Members. There are ten candidates running and their platforms can be seen at the NSP.org website under the 2026 election tab. There will be two Meet the Candidates zoom forums, Sunday, September 20 and Monday, October 12 at 8pm EST both nights. The Division will be sending out an email with our recommended slate, but I’ll always encourage you to read the platforms, attend the forums, and vote for who you feel will be the best Board Member for the NSP.
Lastly, I want to wish everyone a great refresher season. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t ever hesitate to reach out. My email is peter.buss@nspeast.org
Warm regards,
Peter Buss
Division Director, Eastern Division, National Ski Patrol
by Peter Buss, Division Director | Jun 9, 2026 | Division News
Dear Eastern Division Patrollers,
Winter has finally given up its hold on the East, and skis are being traded for bikes and boats. This is an exciting time of transition, and I am incredibly honored to step into the role of your new Division Director following the election on May 3.
As one of my first official actions, I asked Justin Guth, New Hampshire Region Director, to serve as the new Assistant Division Director. He has graciously agreed and will take on the ADD duties while continuing his excellent work as the NH RD.
I also want to extend a special thank you to Grant Fullman and his assistant, Chuck Dunn, for their guidance and leadership over the past few years. They have left the Eastern Division on incredibly strong footing, and I look forward to building upon that solid foundation.
ABOUT ME
To give you a little background on my journey: I have been a patroller for 35 years at Hidden Valley—a smaller resort in Western Pennsylvania. Over the course of my patrolling career, I have held nearly every role imaginable, from line patroller to paid staff shift supervisor. Currently, I serve as a ski patrol specialist and weekend shift lead, where I have the daily pleasure of working alongside some of the most dedicated patrollers in the National Ski Patrol.
For the past four years, I have also had the honor of serving as the Western Appalachian Region Director. During that tenure, our region shook off the post-COVID Senior Program slump—rebuilding both our instructor and candidate ranks, strengthening our YAP program, and revitalizing the Alumni Program. Throughout it all, we pushed the message that training never ends and that we can always learn and improve.
Along the way, I was humbled to receive my National Appointment #12346 and earn Certified #872.
On a personal note, I have the unique pleasure of patrolling with my wife, Lisa, who actually serves as my home patrol’s leader! Together, we share a blended family of seven adult children who keep us constantly on the move. With three of them currently in college, we have certainly learned a thing or two about how to stretch a budget and finance complex programs!
MY VISION AND PLATFORM
I stepped up to run for Division Director because I believe deeply in the future of our organization. As your director, I am committed to focusing on five key priorities:
• Define Our Purpose: Develop a clear, achievable, and modern Mission Statement for the Division.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Support our strong financial standing while robustly supporting our high-quality educational programs.
• Accessibility: Ensure that our premier programs and training opportunities are easily accessible to every single member across the Division.
• Mentorship: Empower younger patrollers by providing them with the tools and mentorship needed to grow into leadership positions within their local patrols, Regions, and the Division.
• Presence and Visibility: Ensure that the Director’s office is highly visible, active, and engaged on the ground throughout the entire Division.
LOOKING FORWARD
It is both my goal and my responsibility to maintain the robust financial health of our Division. Because we are currently in a strong position, we have an excellent opportunity to maximize the value that every member receives from their dues. I will work tirelessly to preserve this financial stability while ensuring our organization actively serves you.
I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming months. My virtual door is always open, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have a question, a concern, or a fresh perspective. If you have a great idea for an improvement, I’d love to hear it—just don’t be surprised if I ask you to help lead the charge in implementing it!
Thank you again for your trust and support. I look forward to working with all of you to keep the Eastern Division moving forward.
Warm regards,
Peter Buss, Division Director
