Executive Director
Heidi Lange
[email protected] | 603-286-0278 (m)
Heidi is as passionate about cross country skiing as she is about the culture and lifestyle of the sport and the people involved, and she is committed to advancing the sport, sharing it with others, and fostering a vibrant and engaged New England ski community.
Heidi grew up and attended school in Massachusetts, but spent nearly every weekend skiing and adventuring in the White Mountains. She was an avid downhill skier and racer and she found joy in coaching and mentoring younger children while in high school. As a young adult, she discovered the agility and thrill of gliding fast on cross country skis. She towed her children and taught them to ski, and eventually they all found a home in the Bill Koch League and with the NENSA community..
Heidi began coaching with Ford Sayre Ski Club when her children enrolled. Over the years, she worked with all children in the program, kindergarten through 8th grade, and with the entire coaching staff as co-Head Coach of the BKL program and a Nordic Committee member. Heidi was also a collegiate rower and has coached Hanover High School crew since 2010. She finds no greater joy than in working with young people, helping them to discover their strengths, develop life skills, build confidence, and find joy.
In addition to her work with youth, Heidi brings experience with a variety of nonprofit organizations and boards, including many years of service on the local school board. She lives in Lyme, NH with her family. When she is not skiing, she enjoys spending time traveling, trail running, rowing, and gardening.
Competitive Program Director
Ben Theyerl
[email protected] | 715-579-0884 (m)
Ben started skiing among the woods and glacial knolls surrounding his hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He took part in the Eau Claire Ski Striders Kickin’ Kids Program, before progressing to race for Chippewa Valley Nordic while coached by his father, Ted. He first headed to the East Coast to race and attend Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He has spent the last several years serving as the Head Coach for the Crested Butte Nordic Team while based in Colorado. In addition to coaching, he has written extensively about skiing and covered it as a reporter for FasterSkier, and been active in developing the National Nordic Foundation (NNF)’s communications strategies.
He shares a deep wonder for the countless ways that folks find a way to enjoy skiing across the country, but is especially excited to be back working within the deep traditions and camaraderie of the New England ski community. He is already dreaming of this winter’s first Nor’Easter, and is holding out hope the piano in the Rikert Nordic Center barn is still in tune.
Community Development Director
Isabel Caldwell
[email protected] | 802-379-3685 (m)
Isabel’s roots run deep in the New England ski community. Through West River BKL and Stratton Mountain School, she developed a love of sport that led her to Dartmouth College, where she studied Earth Science and was a varsity member and captain of the ski team. She went on to earn a Masters degree in Teaching at UVM and has since taught math and science at the middle and high school levels, most recently at Sugar Bowl Academy in Norden, CA. Throughout her career, Isabel has been committed to the growth and development of young people far beyond the traditional classroom as a ski coach, wilderness trip leader, drama teacher, and dorm parent.
In her coaching roles, Isabel has worked with diverse programs and skiers of all ages and abilities. She has served as Youth Ski Club Director and Head Coach at Frost Mountain Nordic, Head Coach at Burr & Burton Academy, and U8 Coach with the Sugar Bowl Ski Team. Additionally, she has served on the Executive Committee of Far West Nordic, coordinated regional opportunities, and contributed to a strategic planning process.
John Ogden Youth & Introductory Program Director
Mackenzie Rizio | 802-342-3654 (m)
[email protected]
Mackenzie grew up in Wilmington, VT and began skiing at Prospect Mountain BKL at a young age. She loved attending the BKL Festival annually and found magic and long lasting friendships there. She went on to attend Stratton Mountain School and excelled regionally and nationally as a junior skier. At UVM, Mackenzie studied Business with a concentration in Finance and minors in Economics and Sports Management. She was a member of the Varsity Nordic Ski Team and an officer of the Student Mental Health Awareness Committee. After college, Mackenzie remained invested in the ski community, coaching at Mount Anthony Union High School for 3 years and serving as a Board Member, Coach, and founding member of the Prospect Mountain Ski Club. She is an active member of the Women’s Ski Coaches Association and was selected as a recipient of their GearUp program. Professionally, she worked in consumer goods both in production and inventory before joining the NENSA team.
Eastern TD Coordinator and Events Consultant
Fred Bailey
[email protected] | 207-418-0840 (m)
Fred grew up in Andover, Maine, where he learned to ski in the back field of the family farm, the local snowmobile trails, and Akers Family Trails. He really caught the skiing bug when he raced in a NENSA U16 Championships in Rangeley, Maine. Following high school racing, he skied for Colby, including a trip to NCAAs, and later spent 6 years racing for Maine Winter Sport Center.
In the years since retiring from ski racing, Fred has worked as part of the team that created the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum, where he eventually became the director of collections and facilities. Additionally, he worked as a junior ski coach for several programs in western Maine and runs a trail design business.
In 2009, Fred began his career as a technical delegate under the mentorship of Jim Rodrigues and Bill Henchey and many others. He took over the role of Eastern TD Coordinator in 2019, from Jim. Also in 2019, he began working as a FIS homologation inspector. Fred is thrilled to join the NENSA staff and help support our regional events!