About Founder Joe Tompkins

I am Joe Tompkins, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Extreme Edge Foundation.

My life motto is "If You're Not on the Edge, You're Not Living".

I am also a Father, two time Winter Paralympian, motivational speaker, avid golfer and hopefully participating in the 2010 Winter Paralympics.

I started the Extreme Edge Foundation in 2003 to "give back and pay if forward" by assisting others with accomplishing their hopes and dreams no matter what their ability/disability, just as skiing and those that rallied around me did for me and my self esteem after my accident 20 years ago.

I was a recreational skier before being paralyzed in a 1988 car accident that left me without the use of my legs. In 1996, thanks to the Juneau (Alaska) Lions Disabled Ski Program and local and Native Corporation donations, I enrolled in Winter Park’s heralded disabled ski program.

In January 1989, I started as an arroya sled "sit skier" at the Eaglecrest Ski area in Juneau, Alaska. I rapidly progressed to a mono-ski in the following years.

I was an active member of the United States Disabled Alpine Men’s Ski Team (USDST) from May 1999 to November 2007. I currently carry the title of the fifth best mono-skier in the United States and the twelfth best in the world.

I accomplished my most recent skiing goal by being selected for and participating in the 2006 Paralympics in Torino, Italy. My performances during 2004 and 2005 were significant factors in the selection process.

In March 2005, I won first place in the Disabled World Cup downhill race in Kloster’s Switzerland.

During January 2004 in Wildschoenau, Austria, I also won the Disabled World Cup Super-G competition in addition to doing very well in other races I participated in.

In January 2003, I placed second over both able-bodied and mono-ski competitors in the Huntsman’s Cup Super-G race in Park City, Utah.

One of my first major athletic goals was to race in the 2002 Paralympics, of which I accomplished. Not only did I participate, I placed sixth in the Winter Games as the top U.S. racer in his class.

After entering my second season with the USDST (and after breaking both legs), I won 6th place in the downhill competition at the 2000 World Cup Championships.

I also won the first Inaugural Disabled World Cup race, a men's downhill competition in Breckenridge, Colorado in December 1999.

Aside from skiing, I was selected in 2007 to assist with coaching the Gastineau Little League team in my home town of Juneau, AK
(http://eteamz.active.com/gcllak/index.cfm).

I am also a Board member of SAIL (Southeast Alaska Independent Living) and a motivational speaker.

I speak at several sponsored corporate events, Juneau Parents Unite Town Hall Meetings on "Underage Drinking Prevention", victim’s panels and M.A.D.D. members as well as children and young adults from elementary to high school al over the United States.

I strive to be a tremendous leader to other athletes, my family and friends.

Whether I'm being a father to my son, presenting to corporate meetings or fundraisers, speaking at high school graduation ceremonies or to school age students, competing worldwide during the ski season, running the foundation or golfing, I strive to be the best at everything I do with self-worth and integrity at all times.

I feel it's important to have goals and beliefs and to continuously look to the future.

I also think a person should laugh, smile, enjoy life and live every day to the fullest.

Please browse around the site and let us know what you think.

Joe Tompkins
Extreme Edge Foundation
Juneau, AK

"Joe is truly a great role model for young people all over our country, as well as the foreign countries where he has competed and spoken on "Self Worth and Integrity" for the past eight years." ~ Bob Janes, Juneau (AK) Lions Club