For

Immediate Release August 1, 2013

Fundraising and Development Innovator John Ormiston Joins US Performance Academy Leadership Team

Contact: Blake MacDiarmid (561) 504-2796

MIAMI, FL - US Performance Academy is excited to announce John Ormiston as our Chief Development Officer. Formerly senior fundraiser and Director of Principal Gifts at Yale University, and Director of Development at both The Taft School and Berkshire School, Mr. Ormiston is a an accomplished sailor from small one designs to maxi boats and a Marblehead, MA native. USPAs academic approach is nothing less than a fundamental paradigm shift in the way students interface with the learning process, absorb content and retain and utilize both basic information as well as sophisticated concepts, said Mr. Ormiston. In my years in the education world I have never seen something more exciting than this integrated, individualized and creative approach. It is indeed about people and program, not just bricks and mortar. Mr. Ormiston is a graduate of Yale University, where he captained the hockey team. After graduating, he returned to New Haven to serve as an assistant to the President for development, laying the foundation for his future work in educational administration and later success in the Office of Development at Yale for over fifteen years. He has since worked in the secondary school environment as a fundraising expert and organizational innovator. John has three decades of engagement in higher education leadership development roles, governance, organizational best practices, marketing and branding, said Peter Smith, USPA Co-Founder and Chief Academic Officer. He will provide the solid development structure and experience needed to secure the USPAs future success. In addition to his successful career in education, Mr. Ormiston previously worked in (More)

the sailmaking industry with Doyle Sails and Halsey Sails, gaining useful knowledge of the complex world of sail design, function, and materials and becoming a certified sail measurer. He has crewed on larger inshore and offshore racing yachts in events including the Halifax, Bermuda and Mackinac races, and was a tireless grinder on World Maxi Boat Championship-winning Matador. Mr. Ormistons deep understanding of secondary and college preparatory education, sailing, and competitive values brings a vital skill set to USPA, said Blake MacDiarmid, USPA Co-Founder and Chief Performance Officer. With this key addition to our team, USPA is ready to empower a new generation of USA Olympic performance sailing talent. # # # More about USPA: US Performance Academy is an independent, small school ecosystem of excellence, an environment combining the best in 21-century learning, the most advanced classroom technology and an innovative, ultra-performance sailing program with Olympic-level training on Biscayne Bay and around the world. The school of tomorrow, today, USPA will include Miami classrooms and a global, individualized digital virtual learning with advanced College Prep 9-12 academics and Pre-G 6-8 programs. USPA students are empowered to perform at the highest level - and prepared for success in college classrooms, international racecourses and professional careers. Connect with USPA: Email: Web: Facebook: Twitter: Info@SmartSailor.org SmartSailor.org USPerformanceAcademy @USPAAcademy