John Iannelli
Executive Director
john@adaptivesportsfoundation.org
John Iannelli brings more than 30 years of ski industry experience to his role as Executive Director of the Adaptive Sports Foundation. His career spans professional instruction, resort operations, executive leadership, and nonprofit management, combining a deep understanding of the winter sports industry with a passion for making outdoor recreation accessible to individuals of all abilities.
John began his career as a snowboard instructor at Hunter Mountain, earning his AASI Level III certification and becoming an Eastern Division Snowboard Examiner. He later served as Vice President of Skiing Services at Mount Snow and the American Skiing Company, where he played a leading role in developing Burton’s Learn-to-Ride program, helping transform snowboard instruction through innovative equipment and teaching methods.
Returning to Hunter Mountain in 2006, John held several senior leadership positions, ultimately serving as Controller under Peak Resorts and Vail Resorts. Today, he draws upon his extensive operational, financial, and instructional experience to guide ASF’s strategic growth, strengthen its programs, and expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities to experience the freedom and independence that adaptive sports provide.
John holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design from William Paterson University and is a retired AASI Snowboard Examiner. Outside of his professional work, he shares a lifelong passion for snowboarding with his wife, Morgan, a longtime certified snowboard instructor, and pursues his creative interests as a professional photographer.
- B.F.A. Design from William Paterson University
- American Association of Snowboard Instructors – Certified Level III and retired Examiner
- Professional Photographers of America – Active Member
Olivia Antsis
Development Director
olivia@adaptivesportsfoundation.org
Olivia Antsis is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 22 years of experience in programming, marketing, and fundraising for arts and culture organizations. As part of Upstate Films’ leadership team, Olivia reinvigorated the 50-year-old arthouse theater’s membership and business partners programs, nurturing contributions and participation back to pre-pandemic levels. She also boosted contributed income through successfully planning and executing strategic campaigns and cultivation events, including co-producing Upstate’s first-ever gala fundraiser and auction. Before moving to the Hudson Valley, Olivia was the Executive Artistic Director of Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media (PJFM). In directing the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival (PJFF) for over 14 years, she positioned PJFF among the top Jewish film festivals in the world by raising its caliber of programming, cultivating relationships on a global scale, fostering alliances with diverse partner organizations, and creating meaningful opportunities to learn, engage, inspire and connect. When she’s not working hard helping nonprofits fulfill their missions, Olivia enjoys taking pictures, visiting new cities, hiking, biking, swimming, nature, traveling, and hanging out with her beastie boys — her cat, Prince, and dog, Charlie Peanutbutter. Olivia lives in Palenville, NY, with her husband, Matthew.
- Certificate in Executive Nonprofit Leadership: Indiana University Family School of Philanthropy
- Designing Leadership: Philadelphia Arts & Business Council and University of Pennsylvania
- M.F.A., Book Arts and Printmaking: The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
- B.A., Media Studies and Production: Temple University
Frank Cabrera
Snowboard Competitions Coach
frank@adaptivesportsfoundation.org
Frank is a highly experienced snowboarding coach with over 20 years of teaching and coaching expertise. His journey in the snowboarding world began at Hunter Mountain, where he started as a snowboard instructor before progressing to a Seasonal Development Coach role. As the founder and director of the North East Snowboard Team in New York, Frank has cultivated a unique environment where athletes train across multiple key snowboarding disciplines, including slalom, giant slalom, boardercross, rail jam, slopestyle and halfpipe. The North East Snowboard Team is particularly notable for being a unified team, bringing together neurotypical and advanced Special Olympic riders and fostering an inclusive atmosphere where athletes of all abilities can thrive. Frank serves on the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) executive board as the Adaptive Representative and holds several credentials. His expertise is primarily focused on working with advanced snowboarders, including athletes with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Under his guidance, Cabrera’s athletes have achieved significant success, winning numerous medals at USASA National Competitions held at Copper Mountain, Colorado. His Special Olympics athletes have also competed and medaled in unified snowboarding events at ESPN’s X-Games in Aspen, Colorado.
- USASA Snowboarding Coach Level 2
- Certified Special Olympics Snowboarding Coach
- Competition Course Official
Brian Conneely
Seasonal Program Manager
brian@adaptivesportsfoundation.orgBrian Conneely has been part of the ASF family for 20 years, beginning as the parent of an athlete with disabilities and growing into a dedicated volunteer, instructor, race coach, and advocate for inclusion in competitive skiing. His longstanding connection to ASF reflects a deep personal commitment to its mission and a passion for creating opportunities for athletes of all abilities to learn, train, compete, and thrive together.
For the past 12 years, Brian has volunteered as an instructor at ASF, including 10 years as a race coach. Brian has been involved in ski racing for 15 years, traveling throughout the country with athletes and supporting their development both on and off the mountain. One of Brian’s most meaningful contributions has been helping develop a ski racing training program built around inclusion.
For Brian, ASF has always been more than an organization; it has been a family affair. His family’s involvement began through his child’s participation and has grown over the years, with members of his extended family also becoming active volunteers. This shared commitment has strengthened his connection to ASF and reinforced his belief in the lasting impact adaptive sports can have on athletes, families, and communities.
Outside of ASF, Brian is the Founder and President of Peak Capital Solutions, a leading third-party distribution platform focused on alternative investments. Through his professional leadership, Brian brings business acumen, organizational experience, relationship-building skills, and a strategic perspective to his work at ASF.
Brian lives on Long Island with his wife, Kerry, and their six children.
- USSA-certified Level 200 Race Coach
Olivia Drum
Assistant Program Manager
olivia.d@adaptivesportsfoundation.org
Olivia was born and raised in the community, learning to ski at nearby Hunter Mountain and attending school at Windham-Ashland-Jewett, where she joined the alpine ski team and raced on the slopes of Windham Mountain Club when she was in high school. After graduating from WAJ, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, completing basic training and earning her certification in logistics plans. Her six years of military service gave her the opportunity to work and travel around the world, including in Germany, England and Luxembourg and she was coined by her wing commander for outstanding work and achievement. Prior to joining the ASF, Olivia worked at her alma mater as a teaching assistant and agricultural educator. She also coached the girls’ varsity soccer team as well as the modified and varsity alpine ski teams, helping to lead the girls’ varsity ski team to win the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) championship in 2025. Olivia previously worked with ASF from 2019 to 2020 as the organization’s event and business coordinator.
- B.S. in Equine Studies and Business Management from Post University
- M.S.Ed in Agricultural Education (K-12) from SUNY Oswego
- AAS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Air University
- Certificate of Completion of Air Force Basic Training from JBSA-Lackland
- Certificate in Logistics Plans from JBSA-Lackland Technical School
- NYS Level 1 Teaching Assistant Certification
- NYS Red Cross CPR/AED Certification
- NYS Transitional A Certificate: Agriculture Education
- NYS Teaching Certification: Agricultural Education (K-12)
- United States Air Force Reserve Command 2019 – 2024: Logistic Planner
Joanne Grunenthal
Finance Manager
joanne@adaptivesportsfoundation.org
Joanne is a native Long Islander who gave up the ocean for the mountains almost 20 years ago.She loves crunching numbers and her long time experience keeping books in the financial business brought her to ASF in 2002 where she now heads the Accounting Department. Summer weekends, you will find her running her family owned concession business. While she is proud to successfully manage these two areas, she says her most rewarding job has always been as a mom to her two great kids. While she enjoys time on the slopes, she is particularly fond of warm weather and loves to head south to the beach with her husband and children any chance she gets.
James Mitchell
Fundraising Events and Social Media Manager
james@adaptivesportsfoundation.org
James grew up in neighboring Columbia County and has been skiing the Catskills and Berkshires since his childhood. He earned his bachelor’s degree at St. John’s University, majoring in Sports Management and minoring in Business. James is coming from the world of collegiate athletics, as he served as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications with Division I Old Dominion University and Division III Frostburg State University. He also has experience working in the media relations departments of two professional baseball teams: the New York Mets and the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers. Whether he is on his skis in the winter or soaking up the sun in the summer, James enjoys being outside and is excited to work with the Adaptive Sports Foundation.
- B.S. in Sports Management from St. John’s University
Jeff Vannoy
Building & Equipment Manager
jeff@adaptivesportsfoundation.org
Jeff brings a diverse background in building maintenance and operations to the ASF. He has experience working as a custodian as well as a farm and estate manager, where he was responsible for maintaining four buildings and structures. His duties included addressing maintenance issues, painting and managing landscaping across the property.Prior to joining the ASF in late 2025, Jeff was in the distilling industry, serving as master of barrels and blends at Bhakta Spirits. While at Bhakta, Jeff led the build-out of a new spirits production facility from the ground up, overseeing layout, equipment installation and workflow design. He also managed daily bottling operations, developed whiskey blends for core products and experimented with new product formulations, while overseeing general plant operations. Originally from southern New Jersey, Jeff now resides in Troy, NY. An avid mountain bike enthusiast, Jeff has actually consulted with the Bridgeton City Government to help develop, design, and maintain a new mountain bike trail system within the city’s park. What was once an underutilized and overgrown space now features 6.7 miles of biking trails.
- B.A. in Communications from Ramapo College of New Jersey
Tony Vasile
Program Director
tony@adaptivesportsfoundation.org
Tony lives in Hunter and is a NYS licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy. His work in PT has ranged from pediatric homecare in Syracuse NY to treating Alaskan Natives in Anchorage. He first started with adaptive sports while in PT school as a volunteer instructor with Arise and Ski at Toggenburg Mountain in Central New York. At this point, he was inspired to merge PT with adaptive sports, and has published research on the physical and psychosocial benefits of adaptive skiing. Tony grew up in Western NY, where he spent most of his time snowboarding, skateboarding, and hiking around Letchworth State Park. When he isn’t outside or on the mountain, he spends his time seeing live music and playing guitar.
- D.P.T. from SUNY Upstate Medical University
- American Association of Snowboard Instructors – Certified Level I
- Mountain Biking & Caving Guide at Syracuse University Outing Club