MWSC reorganizes following departure of John Farra

    CARIBOU –The recent departure of John Farra, who has accepted a position as the Nordic director for the U.S. Ski Team, has created opportunities for several members of the Maine Winter Sports Center staff. As the MWSC enters its 10th year in existence it continues to focus on ways of reaching as deeply into the fabric of as many communities as possible. The MWSC is announcing a reorganization of its staff to put appropriate resources toward achieving that goal.     “It is never easy to lose people like Max Saenger (who left in 2007 to take over venue development for the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee) and John Farra,” said Andy Shepard, president of the MWSC, “but their departure allows others a chance to grow into leadership roles. Over the years we have been blessed to have continued to attract a remarkably talented group of coaches to our staff. Their dedication to our mission and commitment to wanting to make a difference has always been both humbling and a great source of pride to me.”
    The Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) was founded in 1999 with a mission to re-establish skiing as a lifestyle in Maine and with two primary goals; to use skiing to create a healthier Maine and to increase economic opportunities in the rural parts of the state through our facilities and events. Over the past nine years the MWSC has seen dramatic growth across the organization and has made significant progress toward the goals of our mission.
    Our Healthy Hometowns Outing Clubs are now in over 90 communities across the state. While these clubs started out as ski clubs, they are now evolving toward year-round outing clubs, supporting traditional Maine outdoor activities.
    Our competition programs have also had a significant impact. Seven of the 10 members of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team and eight of the 10 members of the 2008 World Championship Biathlon Team were from the MWSC. MWSC athletes have also posted strong results in regional and national cross country ski events. With the 2010 Winter Olympics just around the corner, there are a number of Maine Winter Sports Center athletes with a chance to represent the U.S. at the Vancouver games.
    The work of the MWSC has been recognized by others as it has received numerous state, national and international awards for its innovative approach to the problems facing rural communities.
    The focus of this reorganization will be to recognize the strength of leadership within the Maine Winter Sports Center staff and to focus that leadership on the continued growth of both our community development programs and our competition programs.
    Eileen Carey has been named program coordinator. Carey is a four-time Maine State Ski Champion for Leavitt High School and a graduate of Dartmouth College. She will take over responsibility of staff leadership. Her primary responsibility will be to lead the team in developing strategies to find new and innovative ways to reach deeper into the communities, and to have a more profound, year-round impact on the lives of people through our programs. “Eileen has displayed outstanding leadership skills in her time with us,” said Shepard. “She has a very open, collaborative style that brings the best out of all those around her. She brings a perfect set of skills to the job of leading a most remarkable and talented staff.” Carey is also a highly respected coach throughout all the MWSC programming, and will retain her coaching responsibilities.
    Mainers of all ages continue to lead an increasingly sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle. MWSC programs are making a difference in over 90 communities this year. The Center has thousands of elementary and middle school kids on skis on a nearly daily basis. The Healthy Hometowns program is also reaching high school racers, aspiring Olympians and parents and grandparents. Carey will bring a remarkable set of skills to the challenge of deepening the year-round impact of these programs.
    Will Sweetser has been named director of cross country development. He will continue to lead our competitive cross country programs, and will also assume responsibility for increasing access to those programs. “Will has been with us since our first year, and has made a profound difference in every program he has taken on for us,” said Shepard. “Over the past few years, he has also demonstrated that he is one of the top development coaches in the country.”
    Gary Colliander has been named director of biathlon development. Colliander’s teaching skills and professionalism has helped make him one of the top development coaches in the United States. In addition to his current coaching responsibilities, he will also assume responsibility for efforts to create a statewide network of biathlon clubs in Maine. Colliander will work with the resources of the U.S. Biathlon Association and with local organizers in southern and western Maine to create a sustainable model for biathlon clubs. “Gary‘s athletes are having outstanding results at the international level,” said Shepard. “He has clearly shown that the path to the U.S. Biathlon Team goes through Maine.”