Our team is made up of the best minds in the industry. ESPN has turned to VPI for the past six years to provide cutting edge ramp designs and quality construction for its premier event, the X Games. Our designers continuously push the envelope with unique designs each and every year setting a new standard each time. Our crew of construction professionals handle the task of making dreams reality. This team of craftsman approach each project with passion and professionalism and execute these custom designs to a tee.

There are four key players that make up VPI. They combine their hard work, thoughts and ideas into creating the most unbelievable skate terrain ever imagined. The following is a brief description on who they are and the strategic role they all play in the VPI team.

*Winner of awards in skate park design and skate park construction 2001 by the Skate Park Association USA (SPAUSA)

John Tyson -- Founder / President

John Tyson, JT as he's most commonly known is VPI's founder and president. JT started VPI back in 1993 with his love and passion for the action sports industry. From as early as he can remember, he's been building ramps and equipment for his friends. Today, VPI is a full service design and construction company specializing in equiment needs, logistics and planning for high profile events. VPI acts as the premier vendor for ESPN and ASA Events for their specific event needs including portable skateparks and custom ramp equipment.

JT has had the opportunity to consult, design, and build some of the largest skate parks, tallest ramps and custom contest courses worldwide. This has given him the experience and resources necessary to hand pick the most creative designers, the most crafted builders, and the most knowledgeable staff of professionals that make up the magic at VPI. JT thrives on taking projects from the conceptual phase and making them reality.

"Some times its hard getting up in the morning, I have to go see all of my best friends and build skate ramps." - John Tyson (JT)

Work History / Client List (partial list):

1997 - Present	ESPN's X games (lead consultant, designer and builder of the X Games operation)
1996 - Current	Universal Studios (lead consultant and head designer for all of the stage shows, commercials and action sport shows and events at the theme parks)
2000	Disney World Florida (consultant, designer, builder Disney Ventures)
2000	Walt Disney Tarzan Rocks (consultant, designer for Tarzan)
1999	Epcot Center Florida (consultant, designer, builder of Epcot Live)
1996 - 98	All Wheels Live (set designer, builder)
1995	Real Ride Skate Park (designer, builder)
1992	1992 Winter Olympics Albertville, France (consultant, head designer, lead builder)

Brain Harper -- Lead Designer / Idea Consultant

Brian has spent the past few years with VPI as one of the lead course designers. He also currently serves as a judge for World Cup Skateboarding and was a head judge in the late 90’s. Brian has had the opportunity to work with professional athletes of every caliber. Brian grew up skateboarding and transformed his skills and love for boarding onto the snow. From 1989-1997, Brian was a top professional snow boarder.

Brian was also the Director of Windels Skate and Snowboard Camp. During which time he was in charge of equipment designs on and off the snow including the various skate parks. After 13 years at Windells, Brian took a job with Site Design Group to follow his dreams designing skate terrain. There he was in charge of designing concrete and wood skateparks. Soon after Spohn Ranch hired him where he was in charge of construction services.

Throughout his career he has always had a close working relationship with the team here at VPI and talked about the possibility of one day coming over to the team. Well thanks to his determination, Brian has carved out a postion with VPI that he considers his "Dream Job".

Brian Resided in Flagstaff Arizona with his family and plays a very important role at VPI.

Work History / Client List (partial list):

1997 - Present	Judge for World Cup and Skateboarding events, including X-Games, Gravity Games and Vans Triple Crown events.
1992 - 2000	Co-Owner of AZP Snowboards and Skateboards (Four retail locations in AZ and OR)
1989 - 2000	Seasonal Manager of Windell's Snowboard and Skateboard Camp in Mt. Hood, OR. Designed, built, and maintained snowbaord and skateboard facilities, managing all departments and staff.
2001	Designed and built 23,000 square foot SDG Skatepark (Tempe, AZ), including in groundground Vert ramp, street course, wooden kidney bowl with real pool coping, foam pit, kiddie area, pro shop and offices.
1999 - 2000	Skate Park Designer/Head of Construction Services for Site Design Group. Designed and oversaw construction of skateparks including Albuquerque, New Mexico; Chandler, Arizona; Ocean Beach, California; Gilber, Arizona; Boulder, Colorado, and many others.
1999	Designer/Contstruction Observation of 14,000 square foot concrete park in Flagstaff, Arizona.
1987 - 1994	Professional Snowboarder competing worldwide and designing a series of signature pro model snowboards and equipment with product development teams based in Europe and the United States.

Lane Sneed -- Director of Internatial Business / Construction Services

Lane has been around action sports his entire life. He and JT have been friends since early childhood. Through various projects as early as he can remember he's been assisting JT with getting ramp projects accomplished. Lane is the lead on many of VPI's projects and also heads up all the international projects. Most recently Lane took the VPI crew to Malaysia for the Asian X Games and has also headed up projects in Thailand, Germany, and Spain.