Ever wonder what happens to pro snowboarders after their time is up? Some burn out and fade away, others slip back into "normal" 9-5 society but a select few continue to live the snowboarding dream and carve out a spot for themselves in the industry hierarchy. We wanted to pay tribute to these unsung heroes with a new feature called Industry BOSS, so we picked our good friend and Scotsman Gary Greenshields for this latest installment. Read on to find out more on what it takes to switch from being a pro rider to becoming the European Quiksilver team manager. 

Hey Gazza, where are you at the moment and what’s being happening lately?
Hey, how you guys doing? I just got back from NZ with the Quiksilver global team, we were shooting 12/13 product.

Tell us about your new role? 
I am taking care of the Quiksilver team, and it’s a number of things as well as team management, such as working with the product crew at Quiksilver, keeping the link with riders and media, riders and product guys, riders and our film/photo dudes, helping riders with their season's plans, working with video production companys, mags, arranging photo shoots, product shoots, video/film tours (e.g. Art of Flight tour ), contracts, product orders, media plans, ad shoots, advert selection, booking flights, hotels cars, visas, looking for riders, ending riders contracts... In a nut shell, everything to do with snow.
And how was your first season “behind the desk"?
That was the hardest part, being in a seat for so many hours, especially when you're used to doing so much exercise.

How was the transition from pro snowboarder to Team Manager?
It's actually great, I am loving it and looking forward to the future. I still miss all the riding and the fear factor when you're going to hit a big jump or gap, but I get a shred in here and there, so it's all good.

What are the best and worst parts of your job?
Office by the beach and lunchtime surfs, that’s the best bit for sure, haha. The worst part is telling riders that it's over. Sucks to be that guy!

Have you got any cool lines rehearsed for when you have to let a team member go? For example, “Step into my office, Mr XXX”  Mr XXX: “Why?” “Because you’re fucking fired!” 
Ha. I wish, it would probably make it easier. But no, I just tell them the truth. With so many agents around now, it can get tricky to talk to a rider face to face sometimes, but I try to have good communication with all my team riders.

How does it feel to be on the other side of the fence now? 
I am learning a lot quickly and seeing a whole new side of snowboarding, that's for sure.
Did you feel like you had accomplished everything in snowboarding or was it just an opportunity that you couldn’t pass up?
Yeah, when I was offered the job at Quiksilver I couldn’t say no. And of course I always wanted to do more in snowboarding, but turning 31-years old made the decision a bit easier for me.

Quiksilver seem to be a pretty tight-knit family, how was it joining them, especially since they weren’t your sponsors? How did your other sponsors react?
The Burton and Volcom dudes were epic, really epic. I have to say a big thanks to Hasi at Burton and Jan Prokes at Volcom and everyone who helped me out over the years, they knew this was a great chance and opportunity for me. They supported me all the way and that means a lot. I guess I was already learning from the best team managers in the business, so I got some good guidance.

Who impresses you most on the team at the moment?
The whole crew has been great this year, especially with the change over. I actually brought Ulrik Badertscher on to the team because he is a rad guy with his own way of doing things and is just pushing his riding, he really impressed me a lot. But to be fair the whole team was really great this year and I enjoyed meeting most of the guys and watching them ride.

I have to ask you what happened on the bus ride home from Breckenridge when you were with Jon Weaver (Nike Team manager)?
HHHMMMMMMM, what happens in Breckenridge stays in Breckenridge! Haha!
If I were a grom, how would be the best way to try and get sponsored by Quiksilver?
I would say let your riding do the talking and let us come to you. 

What are the biggest perks working for Quiksilver?
There are loads of perks but I think Quiky wetsuits are seriously good. There is a lot of good product to try out, oh and there are lots of cool surfboards to test.

What is the busiest times of year for you? 
Actually it's pretty full-on all year round. It's almost busier in summer because of photo shoots, sorting out movie tours and fixing new and exisiting contracts, so yeah, I was really busy this summer.
Since you were a pro snowboarder until very recently, do you ever think: "fuckin' pussies, don’t make me get up there and show you how to do it"?
HA! When I need to, I will show them who’s BOSS and drop in. Don’t you worry boys, this old man's still got plenty of miles left in the tank! 
Last words of wisdom?
Well, I don’t know if it's wisdom, but I just listen to myself and do what feels right to me. Simple as that.

Thanks to Vernon Deck for the photos. Wrap ya eyeballs around his epic blog: vernondeck.smugmug.com