NYSEF names new executive director

By Published On: August 9th, 2016Comments Off on NYSEF names new executive director

The Board of Directors of the New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF), one of the nation’s premier winter sports organization, has named John A. Norton as its executive director.  Norton, a NYSEF and Northwood School alumnus, previously served as the organization’s alpine program director and assistant executive director. He began his new role in May 2016, following the retirement of Jay Rand, who held the executive director position since 2009.

IMG_9406Norton brings 18 years of coaching and leadership experience to his new role. Prior to joining NYSEF in 2010, Norton held positions at Green Mountain Valley School (GMVS) and Saint Michael’s College in Vermont.  He earned several United States Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA) certifications including Level 3 Referee, Level 3 Chief of Race, Level 3 Chief of Course, and Level 3 Competition. He is also a certified Level 200 Coach with his Level 300 certification in progress.

“NYSEF continues to be a leading club in the U.S., having achieved Gold Club status with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association – providing excellent programming in the alpine, freeride and nordic disciplines at world-class venues,” stated Norton. “Jay has done a fantastic job leading the program – his experience with winter sports in all disciplines is extensive. I and the organization benefited from his leadership. I’m very much looking forward to building upon what Jay has accomplished over the last seven years.”

Norton, a resident of Lake Placid, grew up in Albany, N.Y. and entered the ski racing world through the NYSEF program at Gore Mountain. He attended Northwood School to pursue ski racing full time. After graduation, he headed to Saint Michael’s College where he made the leap from student-athlete to coach, becoming the college’s alpine assistant coach. Simultaneously, Norton worked part time in Rossignol’s race department.  In 2002, Norton transitioned to coaching full time, holding positions at Green Mountain Valley School (GMVS) in Vermont and NYSEF.  

“John has been an incredible asset to NYSEF and me during my tenure as executive director,” shared Rand. “I wish him the best and am excited for the positive changes ahead. John brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication and genuine passion for ski racing and winter sports to his new role, which will benefit our student-athletes as well as the broader organization. NYSEF is lucky to have him.”

Rand, a Lake Placid native, NCAA ski jumping champion at Colorado University and a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping team, has dedicated his entire life to winter sports. He was heavily involved in the organization and staging of the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid and subsequently assumed the venue manager position at the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex. In the mid-90’s, he moved to the alpine arena and became general manager of Whiteface Mountain. Upon retirement from that job in 2009, Jay took over the helm of NYSEF where, under his capable leadership, the organization has grown and achieved many athletic and event successes.

“Jay has been a stable and committed leader of NYSEF, bringing a lifetime of winter sports knowledge to our organization,” said Greg Harden, president of the NYSEF Board of Directors. “He is an amazing role model for all of our athletes, and his positive spirit and competitive expertise will be missed. NYSEF is now in the very capable hands of John Norton, and we couldn’t be more excited about the organization’s bright future.”

Release and photos courtesy of NYSEF

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