National Ability Center names new CEO

Dan Glasser and his son Jackson getting to know Utah. Photo: Courtesy of the Glasser family

PARK CITY, Utah. — The National Ability Center announced today that Dan Glasser will assume the position of the organization’s CEO. Glasser, 50, is a former entertainment industry executive with a longtime passion for and involvement in charitable organizations that support adaptive populations.

“Working with people of different cognitive abilities has always been close to my heart,” he said. “Seeing the impact the NAC had on my wife and son, getting them back on the mountain and skiing last year” drew him to the organization, he said.

“Having immediate family members living with cognitive and physical disabilities was an incredible motivator in seeking this position and cements my personal connection to the adaptive community. I’m looking forward to advancing the National Ability Center’s mission to serve these groups with transformative recreation opportunities while incorporating forward-thinking approaches,” Glasser said. “My goal is to continue to expand the amazing impact the NAC has had on families and on the greater community as a whole.”

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His wife, Melissa, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 33 years ago, and their son Jackson, 15 has autism.

“Dan is an ideal candidate to lead the National Ability Center into this new era and our organization is thrilled to have him on board,” said Bob Chamberlain, President of the NAC Board of Directors. “His personal and professional experience is notable in that he understands the power of the NAC’s programming and the confidence which comes from participation and achievement in the outdoors. After our national search, the board and search committee were impressed by his background in championing strong not-for-profit causes while driving innovation in the media and technology spaces.”

The Glassers moved to Park City from Los Angeles in February of 2020 (“before COVID,” he pointed out). The family lives in Park Meadows, and in addition to Jackson have a daughter, Lily, 11, and two older daughters at school in Southern California.

Glasser has served on boards and non-profit organizations including as Chairman for the Tom Sherak MS Hope Foundation and as Vice-Chairman for Exceptional Minds in Los Angeles. He was most recently asked to join the Vanderbilt Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. The Tom Sherak Hope Foundation is named after Glasser’s late in father-in-law, a former longtime president of the Academy of Motion Pictures.

For additional information about the National Ability Center, visit discovernac.org.