Nikko Ritter joins Crooms AoIT Alumni Association Board of Directors

Crooms Academy of Information Technology Class of 2007 graduate Nikko Ritter has joined the Crooms AoIT Alumni Association's Board of Directors. Ritter officially joined the board on May 4, 2011 and his first board meeting will be later this month.

"Nikko proved invaluable during our scholarship review team's efforts this past month," said Crooms AoIT Alumni Association Secretary/Treasurer Frank Bracco (Class of '06). Bracco adds, "Nikko has a knack for building consensus within groups. I know John, Mallory, and I [the Management Team] look forward to working with him on various projects as the Alumni Association continues to grow."

Ritter's career path has been different than many other Crooms AoIT graduates. During his youth, he was a world class equestrian, traveled across the country regularly for competition, and was featured on the "Road to Maclay" television series on Animal Planet. Since high school, he has parlayed his personal successes into a career as a competitive rider with Staysail Farm in New York and a part-owner of Sea Breeze Farm – an equestrian training and sales facility – in Central Florida. His colleagues include two-time Olympic gold medalist McClain Ward and a host of nationally renowned horse trainers and equestrians.

Ritter splits his time between West Palm Beach and New York when not competing, and is recognized as a certified trainer by the United States Hunter/Jumper Association (USHJA). He is also actively involved in governing matters within the USHJA, the United States Equestrian Federation (the governing body for equestrian sports in the United States), the Central Florida Hunter Jumper Association, the North American Riders Group, the Hampton Classic, and local 4-H clubs.