From The Blog

Meet KICA’s Director of Finance, Dale Schoon

His new role at Kiawah is certainly a change of scenery for Dale Schoon, KICA’s director of Finance. Dale joins KICA from Park City, Utah, where he was the chief financial officer for US Speedskating for eight years, overseeing financial, personnel, and administrative areas of an organization that serves as the governing body for the sport of speedskating in the United States.

With over 35 years of experience in finance, Dale has the credentials KICA was looking for. His depth of experience impressed members of the board and Finance Committee, and he was offered the role in February. Dale noted, “I’m excited to utilize my breadth of experience both professionally and personally to benefit the KICA community.”

Dale started his career as a suit-wearing CPA, but guided his professional life to align more closely with his personality and lifestyle by choosing roles at places like US Ski & Snowboard, The National Ability Center and the Orange Bowl Committee. “I’m not an elite athlete, but I definitely enjoy living a healthy and active lifestyle.” He sees lifestyle parallels with how people live in Kiawah’s coastal community.

Right now, Dale is working full-time in his role at KICA, while transitioning out of his role with US Speedskating. He’s getting good at the time zone shift, working two week increments here on the island, followed by two weeks in Park City. When he makes his move from Park City in May, he and his partner Laura will bring their two-year old Bernedoodle Cooper, and settle in just across the bridge from Sullivan’s Island. Dale is eager to find his new home gym and to scout the area on his road bike.

After 23 years in Park City, he’s also ready for some new scenery. “We’ve seen enough mountains,” he says with a laugh. “We’re glad to be coming to a coastal beach community.” Dale and Laura look forward to exploring the area’s restaurant scene and traveling around the southeast. He expects visits from his 27-year-old daughter, a lawyer in Salt Lake City who has dreams of joining the FBI, and a 24-year-old son who works in cybersecurity in Chicago.

Dale hadn’t anticipated a move to the East Coast this quickly, but when his partner accepted an opportunity with Charleston-based artisan-made textile retailer Ibu Movement, he reached out to a recruiter. “I can’t believe how quickly things fell into place!” Dale had what he thought might be challenging criteria to meet, yet KICA checked all of the boxes.

“Directing the association’s finances is a challenge I’m excited about. Right now, I’m drinking from a firehose as I soak in all things KICA.” He says he’s impatient to get through the transition phase and on to providing the best possible service to fellow staff, board of directors, Finance Committee and members.

The people are what he’ll miss about his previous role, from the staff to the coaches to the Olympic athletes he trained beside at the organization’s gym. Relationships are clearly important to Dale and he signed on because he could see that KICA is a family-oriented organization that values its people. With KICA, Dale seems to have found the perfect combination: a stimulating role and a culture fit – at KICA and within the wider community.