Staff Team
Heidi Lange
Executive Director
heidi@nensa.net | (603) 286-0278
Heidi is as passionate about cross-country skiing as she is about the culture and lifestyle of the sport and the people involved. She’s committed to advancing the sport, sharing it with others, and fostering a vibrant and engaged New England ski community.
Heidi holds a Master’s in Physiology and began her career in research and science education. She went on to support mission-driven organizations in roles spanning program development, staffing, operations, fundraising, and communications. She has served on and advised organizations across the nonprofit and community sectors, including many years on her local school board.
A lifelong New Englander, Heidi grew up in Massachusetts and spent nearly every weekend exploring the White Mountains. After many years of alpine racing, she discovered the agility and thrill of cross-country skiing, eventually introducing her children to the sport and finding a welcoming home in the Bill Koch League and with the NENSA community.
Heidi began coaching with the Ford Sayre Ski Club when her children enrolled and eventually served as co–Head Coach of the BKL program, a member of the Ford Sayre Nordic Committee, and CEVT district chair. She had the joy of working with all skiers kindergarten through eighth grade while organizing and leading the club’s coaching staff. A former collegiate rower, she has also coached Hanover High School crew since 2010. Across sports and settings, Heidi is energized by helping young people discover their strengths, develop life skills, and build confidence.
She lives in Lyme, New Hampshire, with her family. When she’s not on skis, you’ll find her traveling, trail running, rowing, or gardening.
Mackenzie Rizio
John Ogden Youth & Introductory Program Director
mackenzie@nensa.net | (802) 342-3654
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.
Ben Theyerl
Competitive Program Director
ben@nensa.net | (715) 579-0884
Ben started skiing among the woods and 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 spent 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 working within the deep traditions and camaraderie of the New England ski community. He is always dreaming of this winter’s first Nor’Easter, and always hoping the piano in the Rikert Nordic Center barn is still in tune.
Fred Bailey
Eastern TD Coordinator & Events Consultant
fred@nensa.net | (207) 418-0840
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!
Steve Bruner
Operations & Programs Director
steve@nensa.net | (406) 224-8909
When Steve got bit by the Nordic bug as a high schooler in Stillwater, Minnesota, it marked the beginning of his love of endurance sports. After competing as a collegiate track & field and cross country runner, he reengaged with xc skiing, both as a competitor and coach. Before settling in New England, Steve lived and worked in various places around the world, including Mexico, Madagascar, Antarctica, Alaska, Germany, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Montana. Now a Level 200 US Ski and Snowboard coach, xc skiing has remained a consistent thread. Before coming to NENSA, he managed Nordic ski centers, helped establish the Stratton Terrain Challenge, moonlighted as an assistant coach at Stratton Mountain School, was a member of two Team New England Junior Nationals staffs, and coached at numerous regional and national camps.
Outside of skiing, Steve spent over a decade leading wilderness trips and directing an outdoor adventure program. After earning an MBA in 2003, he worked with National Parks on strategic planning and implementation, and owned and operated a business selling green building materials. He is a DIY home-remodeler, baker, cook, gardener, tinkerer, reader, and puzzler. He and his wife, Leah Schmalzbauer, live in South Londonderry, Vermont with their daughter – Zola, son – Micah (when he’s home from college), and dog – Rocky.
Isabel Caldwell
Junior Development Director
isabel@nensa.net | (802) 379-3685
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.
Kait Miller
Community Engagement Director
kait@nensa.net | (802) 249-6334
Kait is a lifelong skier who is passionate about equity in the outdoors and excited to nurture and sustain an active ski community for all.
Kait spent their childhood adventuring outside with friends and family and has been involved with NENSA since their first Bill Koch Festival in 1999. As a junior athlete, they raced for the Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club, participating in countless Eastern Cups and competing at Eastern High School Championship and Junior Nationals. After graduating from Bowdoin College with a degree in Biology and Visual Art, Kait competed professionally for the Craftsbury Green Racing Project for 6 years, representing the US at the 2018 Olympics and engaging with the local Craftsbury community through coaching and event organizing.
After retiring from professional racing, Kait’s desire to give back to the ski community led them to work as NENSA’s Youth & Introductory Program Director for three years. Following a year as the Communications Manager for an equitable staffing agency and further developing their marketing and communication skills, Kait is excited to return to NENSA as the Community Engagement Director.
Outside of NENSA, adult Kait still enjoys adventuring with friends and family. They also serve on the advisory committee for the Mansfield Pro Nordic Team, volunteer with their local run club, and run their own art and design business.
Board of Directors
Ellen Chandler
Chair
Jackson, NH
Ellen Chandler is the executive director of Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, She has worked in and around the ski industry for most of her career. Growing up she skied with the Gunstock Nordic Federation (precursor to Gunstock Nordic Association), and is currently a member of both the Ford Sayre Ski Council and Cambridge Sports Union – ski section, as well as a soon-to-be-named Jackson Ski Club.
Allison Walton
Vice Chair
Concord, MA
Allison Walton grew up cross country skiing recreationally with her family on trails all over New England. She was excited to introduce her kids to skiing when they were old enough to join BKL programs and she continues to volunteer her time with EMXC skiing. She is passionate about growing the cross country community regionally and beyond. Allison has served on the NENSA board since 2018.
Chris City
Director
Boston, MA
Chris is the founder of Patient Leadership LLC, which helps head coaches, athletic administrators, and other athletic leaders in all sports build programs that provide outstanding athlete experiences and foster sustainable, long-term excellence.
Prior to starting his business, Chris was Head Coach of Harvard’s Nordic skiing program from 2008-2023. At Harvard, Chris developed a training environment that consistently supported NCAA Championships-caliber skiers. He was also instrumental in creating a stable operational foundation for the Ski Team, including helping secure head coaching endowments, expanding recruiting, and raising program visibility.
Chris built a learning culture within his team that fostered student-athletes’ personal development, resilience, leadership, and teamwork, and he has received awards for excellence in coaching and mentorship.
Before returning to Harvard to coach, Chris attended graduate school and practiced law in Boston. In addition to his professional work with coaches across sports, Chris continues to coach adult and youth skiers on an individual basis.
Chris lives with his two children in a town near Boston with 60 miles of forest trails.
David Dethier
Director
Williamstown, MA
David Dethier is a parent of ski racers and an emeritus professor of Geosciences at Williams College and is on the Board of Directors for the Prospect Mountain Association. He served as a BKL coach at Prospect and as the Faculty Affiliate for the Williams College Nordic Ski Team. His academic specialties include surface processes, water chemistry, hydrology and soils. Combined with his experience on the Appalachian Mountain Club Trail Crew in the White Mountains, his background gives him a geoscience perspective on climate change and on the environmental impacts of Nordic ski areas and skiers.
Heidi Horton-Halvorsen
Director
New York, NY & Stowe, VT
Coming soon
Ezra Hark
Director
Yarmouth, ME
Ezra Hark found his love for cross country skiing in the foothills of western Maine. He loved the challenge, time outdoors, and camaraderie of teams and community that the sport provided. After graduating from Colby College, Ezra moved to southern Maine and began working at L.L.Bean. He’s worked in a variety of roles there and is currently the Director of International. He aspires to convert his alpine skier children to cross country in the future and enjoys the opportunity to ski on his own in the meantime.
Peter Hendel
Treasurer
Plymouth, NH
Peter is a founding trustee of NENSA and has served as Treasurer since 1995. His coaching career includes leading the Holderness School Nordic Team as Head Coach from 1988 to 2003, serving as Head Coach for the New England Junior Nationals Team in 1992 and 1998, and regularly contributing as a team leader and coach for Team New Hampshire at U16 and Eastern High School Championships. Peter continues to oversee all Holderness Nordic Club programs and has played an instrumental role in developing the Holderness venue, skillfully balancing international homologation standards with the accessibility and character of its trail system.
Sarah Holton
Director
Concord, MA
Sarah Holton was raised in northern Vermont, where she cultivated a passion for cross-country skiing and its wonderful community. Subsequently, she relocated to Massachusetts and continued her coaching career with the Eastern Mass Bill Koch Club, now known as EMXC. Over the past two decades, she has developed a profound enthusiasm for coaching youth athletes. As an architect and university campus planner in her professional life, Sarah applies her expertise in planning and organization to support one of the largest youth clubs in New England. Sarah resides with her family in Concord, MA, and thrives on making meaningful connections within the ski community.
David Hosmer
Director
Stowe, VT
Dave has been involved in cross country skiing since 1960, his Sophomore year in High School. After High School he was on the UVM Nordic Ski Team and stayed at UVM for a Masters degree in Math where he met Trina, his wife-to-be and introduced her to the sport. She showed her ability early on and went on to compete in the 1972 Olympics. After 5 years in academia on the West Coast they moved East and began racing as members of the Putney Ski Club. As xc skiing got more organized, NENSA was formed to provide leadership and coordination of xc skiing events in the New England States. Dave joined the Board of NENSA in its second year of existence and has been on the Board since 1996. He continues to be active as a masters racer and with coaching newer skiers in technique for Stowe Nordic.
Kate McNay Koch
Director
Peru, VT
Kate McNay Koch fell in love with cross-country skiing while following her big brother around the trails in Hanover, NH. Since then, Nordic skiing has permeated her life, from work to play to family. An ardent advocate for cross-country skiing, Kate supports programs across New England, with particular passion for youth engagement and the BKL. As a member of the NENSA Board of Directors, Kate aspires to further the mission of fostering and growing the sport, locally and beyond.
Chris Naimie
Secretary
Wilmot, NH
Chris was introduced to competing in endurance sports in the early eighties via road cycling. He began cross-country skiing in 1990. As his passion for skiing grew through citizen racing, he started giving back to the sport by coaching the high school xc-ski team in Bow, NH. Chris has expanded his role in youth skiing within New Hampshire by serving as race organizer for the NHNCA Coaches Series and the NHIAA State Championships, committee member of the NHIAA Ski Committee, NH team leader for NENSA’s Eastern High School Championships, point person for the New Hampshire Ranking List, and as president of the New Hampshire Nordic Coaches Association. Chris joined the Board of Directors at NENSA in 2020, and currently serves as Secretary. He is currently a USSS Cross-Country Skiing Official (Level 200 Technical Delegate). He remains active in endurance sports year-round by organizing, officiating, timing, and sometimes competing in a variety of local and regional events.
Katharine Call
Director
Lebanon, NH
Katharine grew up in Southern Vermont, ski racing and benefiting from all of NENSA’s competitive programming from a very young age. She raced for the Dartmouth College ski team and then professionally for a few years on the U.S. Ski Team, including racing at the World Championships in 2021. She has since moved on to pursue a career in adolescent mental health while continuing to be involved with coaching and supporting local developing skiers whenever possible. Katharine lives in Lebanon, New Hampshire and in her spare time she loves to be outside riding her mountain bike or trail running in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Brayton Osgood
Director
Hanover, NH
Brayton grew up on skis in Southern Vermont and started racing as soon as he was old enough to join the Bill Koch Ski League. NENSA formed between Brayton’s freshman and sophomore years at the Putney School, and he was a member of many New England JN teams as a junior athlete before moving on to race for Dartmouth College. After graduate school Brayton pursued professional opportunities outside of ski racing before returning to Dartmouth as the Head Coach of Men’s Nordic Skiing in 2016. He lives in White River Junction, VT with his wife and daughter – both of whom also ski as much as they can.
Ian Tovell
Director
Freeport, ME
Ian Tovell has been a part of the New England Nordic Ski Association for over 25 years, starting his journey in the Bill Koch League at Gunstock Mountain in Gilford, NH, where he was raised. His passion for skiing grew as he skied at Gunstock, eventually leading him to Vermont Academy, where he skied for the Wildcats and was part of three New England Championship teams. Now an active member of the ski community, Ian serves on the boards of both Portland Nordic and Maine BKL. He hopes to pass on his love of skiing to his 4-year-old son, Bear, who he hopes will start skiing with Portland Nordic this year and participate in the BKL Festival. Ian resides with his family in Freeport, ME, and is grateful to be part of such a supportive and thriving ski community.
Carol Van Dyke
Director
Stowe, VT
Carol grew up in Stowe downhill skiing and took up cross country skiing after college. She belongs to Stowe Nordic Club and Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club, and has been Event Director for many NENSA events at the Trapp Family Lodge including the 2006 Bill Koch Festival, the 2007 Eastern High School Championships, several Eastern Cups and UVM Winter Carnivals, a Super Tour, and NCAA Championships. Carol’s three kids all participated in the NENSA BKL program in which Carol helped coach from 1996 to 2002. She was the Stowe High School Nordic ski coach from 2001 to 2018 as well as a former masters ski racer. She’s a former president of NENSA as well as Stowe Nordic Club and is a US Ski and Snowboard Level 2 certified coach, a Level 2 Technical Delegate. Carol has served on the NENSA board since 2008.
