Ian Ferguson - Industry Exec, ISHA Stalwart

Ian Ferguson died July 14 after a long battle with cancer. He was 78.

Born in Lancaster, N.H., Ian grew up skiing at Cannon and North Conway, then attended Vermont Academy, where he skied on its prep-school championship team. He then raced for the University of Vermont, while teaching at the Sepp Ruschp Ski School in Stowe.

Ian graduated in 1960 and the following year joined the Head Ski Co. as a sales rep, based in Timonium, Md. He worked his way up, serving as advertising and promotions manager, racing manager, product manager and sales manager. In 1969 he moved to Boulder, Colo, as director of the ski division, and then director of sales, for Lange/Dynamic. When Head moved its factory to Boulder in 1972, Ian rejoined the company as national sales manager.

In 1974 Ian joined the staff of SKI Magazine as sales rep for the Rocky Mountain West. Retiring in 2000, he remained very active in ski-related causes. He served on the Boards of the Colorado Ski Museum and the International Skiing History Association, and played a leading role in launching ISHA’s corporate sponsorship program. He was inducted into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 1997.

He is survived by his wife Beth, children Andrew (wife Lana) and Missy Fraioli (husband Marc), and two grandchildren, Malia and Keala Fraioli.