IASC Hires Managing Director
For Immediate Attention
Subject: IASC Gets a new Managing Director: John Bernards
By Tod Swank November 5, 2003
IASC Founder Jim Fitzpatrick
Firstly, IASC Founder and Executive Director for the last seven years, Jim Fitzpatrick, has moved into advisory role as Founder, Emeritus Executive Director and Advisory Board Member of the IASC. Jim has been the sole driving force of the IASC with little to no support from the industry. He pushed through the AB 1296 law that brought skateboarding into the hazardous sport classification which limited liabilities of cities and the state for injuries occurring on public skate parks. Not to mention the endless positive voice and benefactor for the skateboarding industry and lifestyle. Jim has been involved in skateboarding for over 40 years. Jim skated for Makaha in the 60's. Worked at Powell Peralta in the 80-90's and served on the SIMA Board of Directors which led to the formation of IASC. He is the Principal, CEO and Founder of the Santa Barbara Montessori school. He is also the Executive Director of the emerging United Professional Skateboarder Association (come on you pro skateboarders, get with the program!). Jim will, of course, continue to have an active role with the IASC as a member of our Advisory Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the IASC extends our deepest appreciation and thanks to Jim for his dedication and most importantly his belief in skateboarding and the skateboard industry to work together to do good things on it's behalf.New Managing Director
After months of researching, meeting and interviewing several candidates the IASC Board of Directors has unanimously voted John Bernards as Managing Director of the IASC. Jeff Kendall, lead action person of the set up committee, submitted John an employment proposal in which Bernards accepted eagerly. "He was very excited, happy, and can't wait to get rolling. He's very hopeful and enthusiastic about the association and its potential," Jeff stated after speaking to John. John will begin working full time immediately for the IASC. John Bernards has a long history in the retail, life-style manufacturing and trade show business. He started his career at the J.C.Penney store in Hermosa Beach as floor sales clerk and then after he completed his two-year military duty he became a buyer for J.C. Penneys. Bernards has managed branded life style manufacturing companies such as; V.P. for Hang Ten-Golden Breed; CEO and President of Off Shore sportswear; President of New port Blue, and Jimmy Z ; Chief Operating Officer for Ocean Pacific. John served on the Men's Apparel Guild Board (MAGIC) for fourteen years and helped MAGIC grow from a small hotel trade show in L.A. to the largest men's apparel trade show in the world. He was Chairman of the Board for MAGIC for two years and then President and Chief Operating Officer for two more years. While president of MAGIC he brought new innovations to the show, such as the successful woman's and designers pavilions. He currently is a visiting professor at the Otis College of Art and Design. He is President of Bernards Associates, which is a "hands on" consulting group for various types of manufacturing business. He lives in South Orange County with his wife.
We welcome John, his experience and enthusiasm to assist the IASC Board of Directors and the skateboard industry in the success of the IASC - Pushing Skateboarding Forward. With his experience and the Boards (industry) direction the possibilities are limitless.
Thanks to Tom Pezman and his staff, IASC affiliate member and partner company, for their extensive assistance in our search.
Welcome newly confirmed IASC members: Element, California Skate Factory Sessions S.L. from Spain and Woodchuck, Inc. from Canada.
"The mission of the International Association of Skateboard Companies is to represent the global skateboard community as a united force by listening, understanding, and acting on the needs of skateboarders and the skateboard industry."
