WILMINGTON – John A. Norton was named as the new executive director of the New York Ski Educational Foundation by its board of directors.

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, following the retirement of Jay Rand, who held the executive director position since 2009.

Norton 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 and Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. He earned several United States Ski & Snowboard Association 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 US Ski and Snowboard Association – providing excellent programming in the alpine, freeride and nordic disciplines at world-class venues,” Norton said. “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 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. He became the college’s alpine assistant while simultaneously working part-time in Rossignol’s race department.

In 2002, Norton transitioned to coaching full-time, holding positions at Green Mountain Valley School in Vermont and NYSEF

“John has been an incredible asset to NYSEF and me during my tenure as executive director,” Rand said. “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 while 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-90s, he moved to the alpine arena and became general manager of Whiteface Mountain. Upon retirement from that job in 2009, Rand took over the helm of NYSEF, helping the organization to grow and achieve 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. He is an amazing role model for all of our athletes and his positive spirit and competitive expertise will be missed,” said Greg Harden, president of the NYSEF Board of Directors. “NYSEF is now in the very capable hands of John Norton and we couldn’t be more excited about the organization’s bright future.”