ABSF Board Candidate: Bill Brown
Hometown:
Charlottesville, VA
Years of ABSF Membership:
7
Occupation:
Retired
Why are you interested in being a member of the ABSF Board of Directors?
Since first skiing the Birkie in 1989, the race has become an annual focal point for my family and me. I’m running for reelection to the ABSF Board to help continue the current momentum in making the Birkie the finest ski race in the world, a leading brand focused on encouraging healthy lifestyles and a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. I’d especially like to help finish the work that we’ve started to redevelop the Telemark property and make it a centerpiece of the Birkie trail system. I bring to the Board 30 years’ experience in marketing and strategic planning, non-profit board involvement and a passion for cross country skiing with perspectives as skier, parent, and fan.
I moved to Minnesota in 1987 and learned how to cross-country ski. The next year I skied my first Birkie and was hooked. Like many of you, I discovered that most Nordic skiers are great people, and that we naturally share a special bond (maybe it’s all the crazy weather that we endure to follow our passion.)
I have now completed 31 Birkies and 3 Kortelopets and keep signing up each year for more. It’s also become a family event as my wife Karen and our three adult boys have all skied numerous Birkies and too many Korties to count as they grew up. I also have a unique perspective having completed all 20 of the Worldloppet races around the world (there are now 18.) This gives me a deep understanding of what works and what doesn’t in other major races as well as experience building international relationships.
As a two term ABSF Board member (formerly vice president,) I’ve gained insights into how the organization operates and how the Board can be most effective. Our area of greatest focus has been purchasing and redeveloping the Telemark property as well as preparing for years of little to no snow. The Board and the Birkie staff have worked well together to design and build a wonderful set of facilities at Mt Telemark Village (MTV) that are attracting many individuals and teams to use and enjoy the property. We have done so in a financially prudent manner and consistent with our brand message. As head of the development committee, I worked with the staff and Board to help raise the funds to pay for MTV. The response from the Birkie community was incredibly strong and supportive. We continue to raise the support necessary to fund the capital needs to allow us to invest in the future of the Birkebeiner.
Over the last 15 years I have been involved in leadership positions on several non-profit boards helping on overall policy topics and more importantly on strategic planning issues. As a board member of the National Golf Foundation (NGF) I was the Treasurer and helped think through new opportunities for the organization to pursue. I was a board member and vice president of Northern Star Scouting and worked to help create innovative youth programs. I also served on the board of the Toro Foundation where I helped develop our Land Water Thrive initiative to coordinate volunteerism and chartable partnerships for Toro domestically and internationally.
Most of my professional career focused on marketing, strategic planning and general management at The Toro Company and General Mills – experiences that help me guide our leaders. Strategic planning is critical for the long term health of the organization and must be done in keeping with the mission of the ABSF. Under Ben’s leadership, the Birkie has done an excellent job in both improving the race experience for skiers and building the Birkie brand. I look forward to continuing to help drive this momentum.
What knowledge and skills do you possess that can benefit the organization?
- Strategic planning
- Marketing
- Non profit board leadership
- Worldloppet race experience
- Fund raising experience
How do you see yourself helping to fulfill the ABSF vision, mission and values?
The ABSF has an excellent vision, mission and set of operating values. These have helped keep the organization focused and financially sound. The vision is inspiring: We want to encourage healthy lifestyles through helping individuals to challenge themselves outdoors. The Birkie is special to all of us because of the memories that are created at our events and on our trails. My goal of being on the Board is to help make the ABSF as strong an organization as possible so that many people today and future generations tomorrow can have positive life-shaping experiences through their involvement with the Birkie.
These positive experiences will happen as we fulfill our mission of hosting world-class events, sharing our beautiful trails & facilities and encouraging people of all ages and abilities. Mount Telemark Village and the Ski de She events are two prime examples of how we have increased the reach of the Birkie to further fulfill our vision while operating within our mission. These efforts help to keep the Birkie healthy.
All of these efforts are guided by our values which I wholeheartedly support. As members of the ABSF, we can all feel good that our team operates by these guiding values. The values are representative of the outdoor community to which we all belong.
