September 24, 2004 – The New England Nordic Ski Association’s
President, John Upton, has announced that Max Cobb will take over the
Executive Director position vacated by Fred Griffin. “Max brings to NENSA
a wealth of experience in all levels and all facets of the sport of nordic
skiing,” said Upton. “For our members he will bring NENSA and
cross-country skiing into the forefront of winter sports in New England,
and create programs for our elite athletes to excel at the national and
international level.”

Cobb, a Dartmouth graduate, serves as National Program and Marketing
Director for the U.S. Biathlon Association. Beginning as a Team Leader for
biathlon World Cup and World Championship teams in 1992, 1994 and 1998, he
went on to create and manage four Biathlon Regional Centers of Excellence,
as well as co-found the Maine Winter Sports Center – a non-profit nordic
skiing and biathlon program in northern Maine. He has worked as Chief of
Competition for the Biathlon 2002 Olympic Games, and overseen the 2004
Biathlon World Cup, held in Fort Kent, ME, during which he created and
marketed 25 hours of televised coverage on the Outdoor Life Network.

Max and his wife, Rosemary, and children Charlie, 6,
and Timmy, live in Westford, VT. “I am thrilled to be a part of the
NENSA team. Fred has left NENSA very healthy and I look forward to
continuing the growth of Nordic skiing in New England. I’m looking
forward to finding ways to share the joy of cross country racing with more
families in New England and continuing to grow our events. I feel lucky
to have such a great staff and dedicated Board to work with.” Added
Upton, I can’t imagine a stronger team anywhere than Max, Pat Cote, and
Dorcas Wonsavage.”

Fred Griffin, who led NENSA from its start in 1995, will continue to work
with NENSA as a committee member and active coach. “I’m not ‘leaving’
NENSA,” he has stated, “I’m moving back, towards teaching.” Griffin
begins teaching English for the Fairfax, VT school system in September.