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John Caldwell Award for 2022: Ed Despard & John Ogden and their company Bullitt Timing
John Caldwell Award: One of NENSA’s finest traditions is presenting the John Caldwell Award. This award annually recognizes a single individual, or entity, which embodies the spirit, dedication, innovation, and pride of John Caldwell.
NENSA is thrilled to honor John Ogden and Ed Despard, from Bullitt Timing, with the John Caldwell Award this year, as they truly embody the spirit of this annual award.
Ed and John, and the company they created – Bullitt Timing – has not only raised the bar for timing races – but surpassed it in all they have done to make timing fair, consistent, reliable, and accessible.
“It is with great pleasure that I can share a few ‘insider’ thoughts about Bullitt Timing, a very small company with a huge heart, endless energy and constant innovation.” says Mary Ann Levins, long-time NENSA event & timing support and race secretary. “For decades, New England Nordic skiing has been well aware of John Ogden’s passion and enthusiasm for the sport, but what simmered under those wild wigs at the NEBKL Festivals was a man determined to solve some of the problems that plagued the quality of our events.”
Thus, Bullitt timing was born! John’s ‘CAN DO’ energy now teamed with Ed Despard’s casually stunning abilities with computer software, hardware and basically anything to do with the tech aspects of event timing, put this little company on the fast track to becoming an indispensable part of New England Nordic ski racing.
These two men are the epitome of growth mindsets. Spend five minutes in their Snap On tool truck retrofitted to be a timing brain trust and you will find that they are not resting on their accomplishments but rather talking about how they can be better; how they can offer more to the racers. Always thinking, they brought on a third tech/timing savvy assistant, Steve Burt. Steve brings a calm capability that really shines when things get ‘lively’. If you have spent any time in a timing building (or truck), things can get ‘lively’. These three men repeatedly produce a world class product and they do it with huge hearts and great passion. Congratulations to Bullitt Timing on the well-deserved John Caldwell Award. New England Nordic Skiing and the greater racing community are so fortunate that you decided to tirelessly invest your many talents in improving a critical component of our events.”
Kait Miller, NENSA Youth & Introductory Program Director shares –
“I’ve experienced what Bullitt Timing brings to an event from both the athlete and event organizer side. Bullitt entered the scene while I was still competing professionally, and they quickly raised the bar on event timing to a whole new level. Both as an athlete and an event organizer, having Bullitt at an event meant I did not have to worry about timing. I could lay my trust in them to provide timely and accurate seed lists, start lists, and results. It is so evident by the quality of their work and their constant innovation how much Ed and John care about the ski community. And while they are operating at a very high level, they are always open to feedback and are always looking for ways to improve what they do. At events, they are the first to arrive and the last to leave. And in addition to being master timers and data managers, Ed and John are also kind and fun humans and I’m grateful to work alongside them.”
“Bullitt Timing really stepped onto the scene right about the time I joined NENSA,” says Justin Beckwith, NENSA’s Competitive Program Director. “Besides bringing a whole gamut of new technology — John and Ed bring undeniable passion to all their pursuits. They just love being a part of events. The success of many of our new programs, specifically rollerskiing are in many ways possible because of our partnership. Whether its data management, loaning equipment or helping with manual labor at events — Bullitt Timing has always been there for NENSA and the skiers of New England!”
Ollie Burruss, Race Director at Craftsbury sums it up by adding –
“It’s hard for me to encapsulate how invaluable Bullitt Timing has been to racing at the Outdoor Center and in New England writ large. I had the honor of hiring John and Ed for what I believe was their first paid gig, an Eastern Cup Opener back in 2016. John was chatting with me in the timing shed when the race started, casually reaching back to click something on his laptop after the first racer left the gate without missing a beat in his story. Since then, Bullitt has joined us for Eastern Cups, Marathon Ski Festivals, and even the 2019 US Cross Country Championships. I honestly cannot imagine hosting a big race without them. Ed, John, Steve, Mary Anne, and everyone else who keeps Bullitt running (I see you Alex and Andrea!) have played an enormous role in raising the bar for competitive skiing nationwide, not just here in New England. Timing is a funny thing. Most of the time if you have to think much about the timing at a race, that’s a bad thing. I love that Bullitt is being recognized with this award and getting the shine they deserve, but I think the true marker of their success is how little racers, coaches, and fans have to think about them at a race. Just head to the live timing, check the results, and go on with your day. No fuss, just accurate information delivered by some of the loveliest folks in our community. “
BRAVO to Bullitt Timing, and to John Ogden and Ed Despard for your game changing addition to the New England ski community. We here at NENSA are so proud to give you this award, as an entity which embodies the spirit, dedication, innovation, and pride of John Caldwell. Congratulations!
Fischer Sports has signed a three-year Associate Sponsorship with NENSA
Fischer Sports has signed a three-year Associate Sponsorship with NENSA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2022
NENSA is thrilled to announce that our longtime sponsor, Fischer Sports, has upped their commitment to NENSA and our year round programing by increasing their annual support to the Associate Level, and signing a 3 year sponsorship agreement with us.
This first year of increased financial support has enabled NENSA to purchase a trailer that will house and transport all our equipment to and from our NENSA events and programs. Making its debut last week at our NENSA Eastern Regional Elite Group (REG) Camp and the Lost Nation Roll & clinics in Craftsbury VT, the trailer has already been a game changer for both storage and protection of our rollerskis and ramps.
Fischer Sports has been a huge supporter of our annual Women’s Day—supplying demo equipment to our participants for the day and swag for our raffle. We look forward to Fischer’s increased visibility and support at many of our events and races this coming season.
“Increasing our commitment to NENSA was an easy decision,” says Fischer Skis U.S. Nordic Director, Steve Reeder. “The support they provide to the New England skiing community is unrivaled, and we’re thrilled to help the organization with their year-round efforts to promote the sport.”
“NENSA has benefited from Fischer Sport’s support for many years. It was a pleasure to work with Steve and Brian on this new three-year sponsorship, comments Amie Smith, NENSA’s executive director.“The increased financial support to NENSA is so appreciated and needed! Our organization has been providing increased programming, events and race opportunities steadily over the past number of years, and this step up in sponsorship helps us meet that staffing and programming increase.”
About Fischer Skis:
Fischer’s vision is to be the winter athlete’s brand of choice through outstanding products, created for everlasting moments and new levels of individual performance. The privately held company employs nearly 2000 individuals who all share a passion for and dedication to winter sports. Fischer Sports GmbH was founded in 1924 in Ried im Innkreis, Austria, where the global headquarters is still located. Manufacturing takes place there and in Ukraine. For more information, visit www.fischersports.com
About NENSA:
NENSA Vision and Mission Statement:
Be a vibrant cross country skiing organization that inspires and empowers lifelong learning, development and community-building through the sport of cross country skiing. Mission: Share the joy of gliding on snow through educational, recreational, introductory and competitive programs to nurture and sustain an active cross country ski community for all ages and levels throughout the East.
NENSA Statement of Purpose:
The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) is the umbrella organization for Nordic skiing events in the region. We are a member-supported service organization that promotes the culture of cross-country skiing by creating opportunities for youth, athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all levels. NENSA provides the support structure necessary to bring cross-country skiers to their highest potential at regional, national and international events.
July 7th KickZone eNewsletter
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NENSA welcomes Heidi Lange as our new Executive Director
July 5, 2022
To the New England Nordic Ski Association Community,
NENSA is pleased to announce that Heidi Lange will be NENSA’s new Executive Director starting this month. Heidi lives in Lyme, NH and brings a wealth of experience in community work and non-profit fundraising to her new role at NENSA. She has been connected to NENSA for many years as Co-Head Coach of the Bill Koch League and as a member of the Nordic Committee at Ford Sayre Ski Club. Heidi also served as Vice President and Programming Director of the Upper Valley Rowing Foundation as well as working on multiple New Hampshire school boards and committees. Heidi has led Hanover High School’s Novice Crew team where she created an incredibly successful youth fundraising campaign that raised funds for The Prouty, the largest fundraising event in northern New England. More recently, she coached at Stratton Nordic Center and West River Sports in Vermont.
Heidi’s professional experience, proven leadership skills, successful fundraising efforts, and enthusiasm for the cross country skiing community will make her an effective Executive Director for NENSA and a passionate advocate for cross country skiing and skiers. The NENSA staff and Board is excited to work closely with Heidi to continue to advance NENSA’s mission and provide diverse, engaging programming to the New England ski community.
“I am looking forward to working with Heidi to bring cross country skiing to new communities and new heights,” said NENSA president Ellen Chandler. “Heidi understands NENSA’s operations and organization from the inside and out, as a coach, racer parent and participant; and her professional and civic experience align with NENSA’s needs seamlessly.”
“The value of NENSA’s mission has felt especially apparent to me during the covid pandemic when the skilled and dedicated Director and staff have worked creatively and resolutely to serve the New England ski community,” said incoming NENSA Executive Director Heidi Lange. “I have such belief in NENSA’s work and the powerful experiences and lessons possible for its participants at all levels. I am thrilled to be joining this team, building upon the many successes achieved under Amie’s leadership, and continuing to help NENSA grow and thrive.”
Heidi will succeed current Executive Director, Amie Smith at the end of this month. Amie has been NENSA’s Executive Director since 2016, and on staff since 2015, where she positioned NENSA as a leader in North American cross country skiing. Amie recruited and supported a strong and talented staff and developed donor relationships that leave NENSA in good financial standing. Amie will continue her involvement with NENSA and U.S. Ski & Snowboard as a Technical Delegate and will also help coach her local BKL club at Prospect Mountain in Woodford, VT, where she has also joined their Board of Directors.
“I was thrilled to hear that Heidi Lange was chosen as my successor. She will be a phenomenal next Executive Director for NENSA. Heidi cares deeply about our cross country ski community and that will shine through in all she does for NENSA moving forward.” said current Executive Director Amie Smith.
We thank Amie for her many years of excellent leadership and we are excited to welcome Heidi as NENSA’s new Executive Director.
With Regards,
The New England Nordic Ski Association Board of Directors
Heidi can be reached at [email protected]