Jeff Surdej is a 12-time national water ski champion who has won four individual world medals and three world team gold medals.  Yes, he's a fantastic water skier, but his work outside the binding sets him apart.

As a tournament director, he has organized three AWSA Nationals, 18 regionals, the Malibu Open, and the NCWSA Nationals.  Incredibly, he led two USA Water Ski Sports Divisions simultaneously: Chairman of the NCWSA and President of AWSA.

In the NCWSA, Jeff served as Midwest Chairman from 1995 to 2006, Nationals Vice Chairman from 1999 to 2006, and Chairman from 2006 to 2021. He is also an inductee into the Midwest and Nationals Hall of Fame. In the AWSA, Jeff served on the Skier Rating and Rules Committee from 1998 to 2006,  Midwest EVP from 2006 to 2011, President from 2015 to 2021, and served as Elite Team Coach in 2008, 2011,2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019.  

On the USA Water Ski level, Jeff served on the Executive Committee from 2012 to 2016, a Board of Directors from 2006 to 2020, and the Membership Task Force in 2016.

This is a true full-circle moment for the Foundation.  Jeff received one of our college scholarships in 1997 and received our Award of Distinction in 2025.