CARIBOU, Maine — Officials at the Maine Winter Sports Center have announced a promotion and a new hire, as program director Mike Smith has been promoted to chief operating officer and Justin Fereshetian has been hired to take over the cross country program.
Smith joined the MWSC staff in November 2009 and was soon promoted to program director. In that role he led the restructuring of the MWSC model to flow more effectively between the community development and competition programs and to be able to reach deeper into Maine communities. His new role will include continuing to refine that program structure, leadership of the field staff and liaison with the communities and volunteers.
“Because of the relatively small staff, the broad scope of our mission, the sheer size of our state and the importance of what we do, the culture of the MWSC has always heavily emphasized empowerment,” said Andy Shepard, president and CEO of the MWSC. “Mike’s ability to lead in that environment with vision, integrity and a deep sense of duty has earned the trust and support of the MWSC board, the MWSC staff and me.”
Shepard continued, “In his role as program director, Mike has led the continued evolution of the MWSC program model, especially through the deconstruction and reconstruction of our mission following our separation from the Libra Foundation in 2014. This new title and the responsibilities that go with it reflect the unique set of skills and energy Mike brings to the challenges that lie ahead.”
Fereshetian will head the MWSC’s internationally recognized cross-country program. He had a 14-year racing career that included Leavitt High School in Turner, the MWSC and The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Division I ski team. He served as assistant coach for the MWSC last year. His father, Al Fereshetian, is the highly respected and long-time cross-country running/track coach for Bates College.
“There is no doubt in my mind that given Justin’s racing background, his intellectual curiosity and strong work ethic, he will be an outstanding addition to the MWSC staff,” said Shepard. “I’ve known and respected Justin for years because of his deep and sincere commitment to making a difference in the lives of everyone he touches and I’m proud to have him represent us.”
Fereshetian, who started June 20th, said, “As a coach my goal is not to simply make my athletes better skiers, but to help make them better and more well-rounded people. A lot about training and racing has direct implications on important life skills; things like dedication, determination, motivation, perseverance, dealing with success, and dealing with failures, too.
