WELCOME, ALL ADVENTURERS!
High Country Adaptive Sports is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2015 by a passionate group of outdoor enthusiasts who recognized a barrier to entry for people with disabilities when it came to experiencing Arizona’s mountains, forests, and waterways. With the belief that we can all benefit from outdoor recreation, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges, our program has grown into a year-round operation in hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and snow sports. There is no limit to what can be accomplished when we work together. We are honored to guide our athletes on their expedition as they forge ahead, leaving behind perceived limits and discovering new destinations of potential within themselves.ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH ADAPTIVE RECREATION
That is our mission and that is what our staff and volunteers believe in.
We facilitate recreational activities for all people of all abilities. HCAS believes in the power and benefits of outdoor recreation and is creating a community where everyone has equal access to enjoy the best Northern Arizona has to offer!
Ski Lessons Per Year
Children and Adults Served
Summer Outings and Bike Lessons Per Year
MEET OUR AMAZING TEAM
VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
Katie Cosmas is a mom, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She recognizes her greatest accomplishment as her three children, Cade 10, Addison 6, and her angel baby Taylor who would be 13. Katie’s major philanthropy work began in 2010, after the sudden loss of her daughter, Taylor Paige Cosmas to SIDS. Katie and her husband, Mark started the Three Butterflies SIDS Foundation, the umbrella non-profit to their event, Team Taylor which has raised over $1.4M for safe sleep education and SIDS research. Katie also tells her heartbreaking story and the importance of safe sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS at various Moms groups and as continued education for Childcare providers in the Valley. In addition to this passion project, she advocates regularly in the inclusion space on behalf of her daughter Addison who has Costello Syndrome, a rare disorder that results in both physical and mental delays. In her day job, Katie leads business development for the Southwest at iHeartMedia. She’s spent her entire career in Broadcast media in Phoenix helping businesses grow and strategize their next marketing move. Katie also volunteers at her children’s school and is a member of PANDA (People Acting Now, Discovering Answers) a women’s non-profit dedicated to raising money for various pediatric research projects at Steele Children’s Foundation.
Isaac is a partner at the international law firm of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, and practices in the areas of commercial bankruptcy, creditor’s rights/distressed assets, and commercial litigation. Isaac has successfully represented and assisted with the reorganization of multiple companies through Chapter 11 and has obtained numerous favorable trial verdicts in state and federal court. Isaac also provides pro bono legal work for the Arizona Justice Project, a non-profit innocence project that reviews and assists cases of the wrongfully convicted where actual innocence is alleged. Isaac graduated from the Sandra Day O’Connor Law School (ASU) in 2002, and from the University of Arizona in 1998 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. Isaac currently resides in Phoenix with his wife Alli, and their two young girls, Adelaide, and Raya.
Kelly is a Producer with Arizona’s Family (3TV and CBS 5). Her media career expands over two decades with companies such as CBS, CBS News, National CineMedia and various radio stations. She graduated from Northeastern University with a BS in Journalism and Communications and Phi Beta Kappa with a MBA from Fordham University. Kelly has previously served on the board of the Central Park Conservancy Playground Partners, has volunteer experience with New York Cares, KidsSafe, Food Bank for New York, Ronald McDonald House Charities and has held multiple leadership positions with her children’s schools. Originally from New York, Kelly currently resides in Phoenix with her husband Jay and sons Grayson and Chase.
Dr. Michael W. Golding was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Virginia Tech University. He went on to pursue his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore, MD. Upon receiving his degree, he completed a residency at University of Miami Medical School and Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Multiple times throughout his residency, Dr. Golding was also involved in surgical cases showcased on Discovery Channel, The Today Show, and “The Doctors”. Dr. Golding performs all aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Dr. Golding is also on staff and surgically manages the facial trauma and reconstruction within the Level 1 trauma centers for both the Banner Healthcare System and Chandler Regional Hospital. Additionally, he is a member of philanthropic organizations, including The Phoenix Thunderbirds and The Executive Council 70, both of which fundraise to improve the lives of the underprivileged in Arizona. Dr. Golding is happily married to his wife Laura, who is an Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University. They’ve welcomed two young children, Olivia and William. During his spare time, Dr. Golding enjoys being with his family, traveling, running, and playing golf.
As Chief Financial Officer for Alliance Residential Company, David Lodwick is responsible for identifying and managing joint-venture equity and debt financing. Dave joined Alliance in 2011 as Finance Manager, focusing on identifying, negotiating, and closing debt and equity financing in the western U.S. Prior to that, he served as Director of Asset Management for DMB Associates with responsibility for managing a variety of office and retail assets. During his career, Dave also served as Senior Director for Opus West and Vice President of BBVA Compass. A graduate of Arizona State University, Dave is also a certified appraiser and maintains a real estate license in the state of Arizona. He holds membership or board positions with a variety of civic, social and business associations, including the Real Estate Investment Advisory Council (REIAC), Urban Land Institute (ULI), and the Men’s Arts Council of the Phoenix Art Museum.
Kuzi is Chief Experience Officer and a Partner at Texas Capital Partners and Mountain Capital Partners. Kuzi has over 20 years of experience in Real Estate Investment, Multi-Family Housing Management, and Hospitality operations. Kuzi is based out of Phoenix where he currently oversees various operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, and New Mexico. In addition, Kuzi has a passion for developing, managing, and overseeing a portfolio of initiatives to enhance customer experience at all of Mountain Capital Partners resorts. He has a BA from the University of Arizona, in Business and Communications. In his spare time, Kuzi loves to snowboard, golf, mountain bike, wakeboard, and really any form of high-intensity athletic pursuit that allows for a strong feeling of presence. Kuzi also currently sits on the board of Calidan Missions where he serves as Director of Philanthropy.
Blaine is the COO and Vice President of Arciterra Companies, LLC and Arciterra Strategic Retail Advisor. He is responsible for the operation and oversight of more than 80 retail commercial properties in 26 states, with offices in Arizona, Indiana, Florida and Hawaii. He is responsible for the overall management and direction of the company’s operations, financing, acquisitions and dispositions. Formerly a practitioner of real estate law, Blaine worked at two national law firms in Scottsdale and Los Angeles, practicing transactional law with a focus in real estate finance. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona, a Master of Business Administration from the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona and a Juris Doctorate from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona.
Dr. Rice is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Arizona. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, a doctoral degree in Medicine from the University of Arizona, and a master’s degree in health evaluation sciences from the University of Virginia. She completed a Developmental-Behavioral Fellowship at the University of Virginia. She is an active clinician caring for children with disabilities, including seeing children with autism, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, brain injury, preterm birth, and early drug exposure. She participates in multiple research teams investigating each of these conditions.
Jon is the Owner and CEO of Focus LCDs, a manufacturer of small LCDs for use in medical and industrial devices. He is also an adaptive sports enthusiast and can often be found monoskiing, biking, boating or off-roading. He hopes to make the outdoors more accessible for everyone who wants to try something new. At home, he keeps himself busy with his three children (Jack, 8, Dominic, 5, and Lucy, 1) and wife of six years, Kat. He received his degree from Arizona State University where his business has been recognized as one of the fastest growing ASU graduate lead companies by the alumni association.
As Chief Operating Officer of Guided Therapy Systems (GTS) and Ardent Sound, Steve Zastrow was responsible for the global commercialization of GTS’s Intense Therapeutic Ultrasound technologies. During this time, Steve also served as President of Actisound Limited, GTS’s commercial business unit in the United Kingdom, and was charged with managing GTS’s marketing and sales teams in Europe, Asia, and South America. Steve was also the lead executive responsible for the negotiation of joint ventures and corporate partnerships, financial management, and day-to-day business operations.
With more than 25 years of executive and consulting experience, Steve has advised many prominent organizations throughout the United States plan and execute transformational, strategic initiatives. Prior to his work in the private sector, Steve served as the Mayor’s Chief of Staff for the City of Tempe, Arizona, where he helped establish the Rio Salado Foundation. He has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. Today Steve is involved as an Angel investor in a number of startup and early stage companies and is focused on spending as much time as he can with his wife and three children.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Laura joined HCAS in July of 2023. She has worked in the field of disability throughout her life, including the past 14 years practicing as a licensed speech-language pathologist in Flagstaff, Arizona. Laura has worked in a variety of settings including the public schools, early intervention and runs her own private practice for pediatric speech sound disorders in addition to her role with HCAS. She is a passionate professional with unique interest in providing access to functional as well as recreational skills for children and adults with disabilities.
In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, working in her garden, connecting with friends, and running/hiking/biking/practicing yoga.
Truman is a born and bred Flagstaff local. After serving five years in the Navy, Truman earned his bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management with an emphasis in Community & Commercial Recreation and Tourism. This is where Truman was first introduced to the world of Adaptive Sports while volunteering for HCAS’s winter program. Truman then interned at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) in Breckenridge, CO, where he was further exposed to adaptive outdoor recreation and where his passion was ignited. After two summers with the BOEC, Truman accepted a full-time position with HCAS, where he remains today. In his free time, Truman enjoys a good book and spending time with his partner and animals outdoors on bikes, canoes, and hiking trails.
OUR PARTNERS
We partner with leading service providers throughout the state of Arizona to ensure their clients and constituencies have ample access to quality outdoor recreation. Moreover, our close work with these organizations and agencies enables us to be more properly equipped and trained to meet the diverse needs of those we serve. Our partners in service include but are not limited to: