Jason Bemis

Jason enjoys the adrenaline rush that accompanies making sports cars and sailboats move fast, but what he really loves is helping ensure that others experience the same uplifting feeling.

That's why he's so passionate about driving and kicking the tires at the world-famous Road America racetrack and helping book top-level sailing events with Sail Sheboygan, our community's renowned national sailing center.

"Events offered through these organizations give Sheboygan personality," Jason says.

Yes, Jason has long enjoyed a good thrill, like the time years ago when he skydived as part of a friend's bachelor's party. "We were screaming while we plummeted toward earth," he recalls fondly.

But now that he's the proud father of three young children – Lauren, 10; Joseph, 8 and Sarah, 4 –much more subtle moments make him happy. Jason has taught all three children to ski in Colorado before the age of four.

"Teaching kids to ski on their own for the first time is a real treasure," Jason says. "It's a lifetime skill for the family and brings back exciting memories of my childhood on the hill."

Jason doesn't have much dance experience outside of shaking and shimmying at countless concerts in his younger days. He did take dance lessons with his wife, Heidi, prior to their wedding a decade ago. "She pretty much knocked my socks off," he recalls.

As for dancing at the Gala, Jason says he's not nervous, though he admits, "the concept of holding on to someone and launching them into the air is a little intimidating."

Perhaps, but surely not as intimidating as jumping out of a plane.

JASON IS SPONSORED BY BEMIS MANUFACTURING AND HAS CHOSEN BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY AS THE RECIPIENT OF 50 PERCENT OF THE PROCEEDS RAISED THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF EXTRA VOTES ON HIS BEHALF.

HE WILL PERFORM A VIENNESE WALTZ ROUTINE WITH HIS DANCE PARTNER, THERESE CLARKE.