We are so happy to announce two new members of the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Team: Laurie Lindsey Kotarsky and Lauren St. Onge are joining us as contract employees.
The foundation has been functioning without paid staff members since April 2020, when our Executive Director left in the midst of a financial crisis and global pandemic. You may have been in contact with volunteer and Board of Trustees member Betsy Anderson Gilman, who handled the Hall of Fame planning, website, social media, donation receipts, scholarship applications, and more since we lost our employees. She is sailing away for a few years.
"Volunteers have tried to fill the gap these past four and a half years, but now that we are financially stable, it's time to make a crucial investment in our future with two key positions. And we are so happy they are both members of the water skiing community," says Foundation President Brenda Nichols Tate.
Laurie Lindsey Kotarsky is a marketing whiz who will be taking over the website, membership and social media. This is her business and comes with so many new ideas.
Originally from West Virginia, Laurie discovered her passion for water skiing when she was four and grew up on the water. In 1998, Laurie moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where she trained at Okeeheelee Park with the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches.
Laurie went on to win two National Slalom Championships and earned multiple Regional and Florida State slalom titles. In 2008, she placed third at the Senior Worlds in Italy. After reaching these milestones, Laurie shifted her focus to pursue another goal: earning her private pilot’s license. Now, she spends her weekends flying a Diamond DA40NG.
In 2007, Laurie combined her love for water sports and marketing by founding a marketing and web design business, EliteVenu. She works with prominent clients like Reflex Water Skis & Bindings & previously the Big Dawg Water Ski Tour, this seamlessly blended her passion for water skiing with her professional expertise.
Lauren St. Onge will be taking over the event planning of our annual Hall of Fame Weekend. She has been volunteering with the ceremony for the past three years and has a background in planning large, successful events, including the US Barefoot Water Ski Nationals. Lauren is a member of the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team and a competitive barefoot water skier.
Originally from Illinois, Lauren grew up show skiing and received a degree in Business Administration from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. She has performed on the water in ski shows and off the water creating fabulous events and shows. From designing advertising and procuring vendors, to resolving issues with a keen sense of diplomacy and tact, Lauren has the ability to see the big picture of an event and still pay attention to all of the crucial details.
Lauren was the American Barefoot Club's Athlete of the Year in 2013 and has competed in World Championships and managed World Teams for many years. She knows and loves all types of water skiing. Lauren respects water skiing's history and she enjoys sharing it with the next generation, namely her three young children who are all water skiers. You may have heard of her husband, Keith, who is in the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame and the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation Hall of Fame.
We're excited for both of these amazing women to join the team and further the mission of the foundation: Celebrating our past and supporting the future. Welcome Laurie and Lauren!
Welcoming you two! This is great news!
Great!