Joel Berman - Executive Director, Adaptive Adventures

Joel Berman lost his left leg above the knee in a Chicago, IL railroad accident in the summer of 1983. During three years of rehabilitation, Joel retuned to the University of Wisconsin - Madison and graduated as a member of the National Business Honor Society in Finance and Risk Management. After rehabilitation, Joel reentered the workforce achieving senior management positions at several prominent Chicago financial institutions, prior to starting his an independent money management and financial technology firm. While in Chicago, Joel specialized in derivative products arbitrage and corporate money management for 10 years. Berman has an extensive background in corporate management, corporate real estate, and finance.

After relocating to Colorado 1994, Joel became more involved with disabled sports and recreation by sharing his knowledge of paddle sports, water-skiing, sailing, skiing, and adventure as a volunteer instructor for adaptive programs around Colorado. Most notably, his passion for working with the disabled community resulted in 10 years as a volunteer ski and sailing instructor for the National Sports Center for the Disabled, and a subsequent certification as a PSIA-certified adaptive ski instructor. Berman's combination of business experience and personal experience, led to the creation of Adaptive Adventures in 1999.

As a co-founder and Executive Director of Adaptive Adventures Mr. Berman established all initial aspects of the nonprofit corporation, including articles of incorporation, bylaws, and IRS 501(c)3 status. He developed the organization’s mission, policies, business plan, and formed a Board of Directors and Advisory Board to help govern and support the organization. As ED Joel created and implemented all expansion activities of the organization including annual fundraising plan, grant writing, sponsor proposals, and individual giving and is primarily responsible for an average of 25 percent revenue growth and 30 percent participant growth year to year. Oversees all programs and administrative aspects of the organization, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, cycling, adventure trips, kayaking, water-skiing, sailing, and other water sports. Additionally, Joel directs all public relations and marketing activities, by providing written articles and photos for publication in many local, regional, and national publications annually, while developing and maintaining the organization’s bi-annual newsletter and website.

In October 2003, Joel, his wife, and two sons relocated back the Chicago area to open a second office in order to further develop Midwest programming and opportunities for Adaptive Adventures. Berman's extensive experience in company development, management, and disability make him ideally suited as the Executive Director of Adaptive Adventures.