From Backyard Ponds to Italy: Ford Employee Steve Girolamo’s Niece Joins Team USA at Winter Games

Ford Cost Analyst Steve Girolamo always knew he would be watching his niece, Kirsten Simms, play hockey in the Winter Games; it was just a question of when. That time is now, as Simms, who is also Girolamo’s goddaughter, is making her debut in Italy as one of the youngest members of Team USA’s women’s hockey team. 

Simms, now 21, began skating at age 3, often playing backyard hockey, as well as playing competitively. She was trying to keep up with her older brother, Billy, who also now plays at the collegiate level following a few years at the junior hockey level. A Plymouth, Michigan, native, Simms was often forced to play against boys at a young age because there were no girls leagues available. In high school, she was heavily recruited by Wisconsin and Ohio State, the dominant programs at that level, and she is expected to be drafted into the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) after this season.

“She was always very competitive with her older brother,” Girolamo said. “She played with the boys, and often she was so skilled that she played above her age level.”

Rising to the occasion

A senior forward for Wisconsin, Simms has been named a First-Team All-American multiple times and a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, which goes to the nation’s best player, multiple times, as well. She has never shied away from the big moments, having scored two national championship game-winning goals for the Badgers, including a clutch penalty shot she was eager to take. 

“Their coach had his choice of who to take it,” Girolamo said, noting the team is coached by Mark Johnson, a key member of the 1980 gold medal-winning U.S. team known for pulling off the “Miracle on Ice.” “He put it out to the team, ‘Who wants it?’ and Kirsten raised her hand. She scored an outstanding penalty shot goal to send it into overtime and then scored the game winner in overtime.”

Simms previously played for Team USA at the under-16 and under-18 levels, as well as for the national team in the collegiate series against Canada. Simms was also part of gold and silver medal-winning U.S. teams at the world championships in 2025 and 2024, respectively. 

“We all thought if she didn’t make (the Games) this time, she’d probably make it for the next one,” Girolamo said. “But she’s proven herself valuable enough to be named already as a 21-year-old.”

Ford Family ties

Girolamo and his family live next door to Simms’ family, and they often watch her games together on TV. Girolamo and his wife make the trip to Madison, Wisconsin, to see her play in person at least once each season, and he’ll be in attendance to watch Simms go for the gold in Italy, a trip over a year in the making. 

Simms’ family also shares another connection to Ford. The hockey phenom’s grandfather and uncle are both Ford retirees, while another uncle, Chris Mason, works at Louisville Assembly Plant. Her grandfather, Richard Simms, worked for the company for about 30 years in dealer systems and IT after working in naval intelligence before that. And, her uncle, Frank Costley, was an engineer in chassis systems. 

Everyday heroes

Simms’ success is remarkable, and hers is just the latest example of the extraordinary stories that exist among our employees and their families. And dreams like hers are often realized through the same type of Focus, Excellence, and Collaboration that help us deliver world-class products and services for our customers. 

Leave a comment below to share your words of encouragement for Kirsten and the rest of Team USA!