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Tag: SHLF

  • Soldier Hollow Announces Richard Hodges as Executive Director

    Soldier Hollow Announces Richard Hodges as Executive Director

    (Press release)

    Hodges will lead Soldier Hollow, reaffirming its place as North America’s premier Nordic venue

    Richard Hodges (Photo: Linkedin)
    Richard Hodges (Photo: LinkedIn)

    Midway – Utah (June 25, 2014) The Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation (SHLF) is excited to announce the hiring of Richard Hodges as its new Executive Director effective July 1, 2014. Hodges will oversee the execution of the foundation’s bold strategy to build upon its current financial stability and continue building regain its place as the premier cross-country ski and biathlon venue in North America and become a year-round tourism and event magnet for the Heber Valley.

    “Richard brings to this position a contagious passion for Nordic sports,” said Brian Olsen, newly-elected Chairman of the Board and 2006 Olympian. “He brings a compelling vision for re-invigorating the venue’s facilities, its programming, and its ties with the Heber Valley community.”

    A past member of the foundation’s Board of Directors, Hodges has 10 years of experience as the volunteer President of The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA), the largest cross-country ski organization in Utah. In that position, he grew the organization’s membership, event participation, and revenues, and assisted smaller ski clubs with becoming financially stable.

    Hodges has stated that his immediate priorities are to listen to the ideas and feedback of the foundation’s many stakeholders, from employees to long-time Soldier Hollow users. “I very much look forward to working with local business and community leaders in Midway and Heber Valley to help expand Soldier Hollow’s presence and profile,” said Hodges.

    With sport central to the foundation’s mission, Hodges looks to build deeper and even stronger ties with regional and national sports organizations, such as the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association and the U.S. Biathlon Association. The goal is to ensure that the venue is contributing to the athlete development pipelines of these sports by recruiting and developing new talent and providing a world-class training and competition venue for elite athletes.

    Outside of the ski world, Hodges has been in the transportation sector as an accomplished project manager, economist, and, most recently, private consultant. He has worked for and in support of government entities such as the Utah Transit Authority, which will serve him well leading a foundation holding the concession contract with the State of Utah to operate the Soldier Hollow venue: “Our long-term partnership with Utah State Parks ensures that together we provide great opportunities for the community,” he said.

    Having worked as an event volunteer and advisor to the Salt Lake Organizing Committee since the early days of what would later become Soldier Hollow, Hodges experience with the venue runs deep. The foundation’s first and current Executive Director, Howard Peterson, will remain as a consultant through September providing Hodges with continuity and expert advice after having served in the position for more than a decade. “I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to work with Soldier Hollow’s world-class staff to carry forward the Olympic and sport legacy that Howard has built,” concluded Hodges.

    About Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation (SHLF): A non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation based in Midway, Utah, SHLF oversees the facilities and programming of the Soldier Hollow venue, which hosted the cross-country skiing, biathlon, and Nordic combined events during the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games. Today, Soldier Hollow is a year-round facility focused on recreational, youth, and elite level cross-country skiing, biathlon and other related sports programs. Soldier Hollow also provides winter snow tubing and hosts multiple events during the summer. At all times, the organization and its staff work to promote the Olympic and Paralympic ideals, and expand opportunities for people in the communities it serves.

  • Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation Seeks Executive Director

    Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation Seeks Executive Director

    Soldier Hollow logo
    (Press release)
    The Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation (SHLF) Board of Directors is seeking decisive, focused, and visionary leaders to apply for the position of Executive Director.
     
    About the Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation:
    A non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation based in the southwest corner of the Heber Valley, SHLF oversees the facilities and programming of the Soldier Hollow venue, which hosted the cross-country skiing, biathlon, and Nordic combined events during the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games. Today, Soldier Hollow is a year-round facility focused on recreational, youth, and elite level sports programs. Soldier Hollow also provides winter snow tubing and hosts multiple events during the summer. At all times, the organization and its staff work to promote Olympic and Paralympic ideals, and expand opportunities for people in the communities it serves.
    Overview of Position:
    Reporting to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director ensures the consistent excellence of programming and facilities in furtherance of the Foundation’s mission.
    Major Functions & Responsibilities:
    1. Executive Leadership — Translates the mission of the Foundation and intent of the Board into day-to-day operational excellence. Responsible for the culture within the organization.
    2. Board Administration & Support — Informs and advises the Board on the activities of the Foundation, allowing it to fulfill its governance role.
    3. Personnel Management — Recruits, leads, and mentors the staff, providing direction and motivation to both paid and unpaid individuals. Promotes a collaborative and respectful work environment.
    4. Budgetary — Prepares the annual budget for review and approval by the Board. Prudently manages finances with appropriate accounting controls. Cooperates with independent auditors in their review of performance, and thoroughly considers recommendations.
    5. Facilities Management — Oversees the operations and maintenance of the Soldier Hollow venue and related facilities. Manages the long-term maintenance plan and carefully prioritizes investments as they align with the Foundation’s mission and financial strategy.
    6. Safety — Properly manages risks inherent in operating a sports-oriented facility. Proactively works with stakeholders to incorporate concerns about safety into policies and procedures.
    7. Programming — Grows opportunities for recreational, youth, and elite level training in cross-country skiing, biathlon, and Nordic combined at the venue, including continuation of partnership with the Soldier Hollow Charter School.
    8. Events — Collaborates with event organizers on the successful hosting of events at Soldier Hollow. Solicits new events consistent with the Foundation’s mission to expand year-round use of facilities. Partners with community governments and organizations to integrate events into the local tourism framework.
    9. NGB Cooperation — Works with the U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association, and U.S. Biathlon Association to align event hosting and programming strategies with national high performance goals.
    10. Revenue Generation — Thinks creatively to launch new activities, products, and events consistent with the Foundation’s mission. Researches grant and partnership opportunities to offset maintenance and programming costs. Establishes collaborative relationships with state government and other entities to drive investment in the venue.
    11. Contracts — Negotiates, manages, and reviews contracts with partners and event organizers on behalf of the Foundation. Keeps the Foundation in good-standing as a concessionaire of the State of Utah.
    Applicant Qualifications:
    1. Significant experience managing organizations with annual revenues of $1 million or more.
    2. Demonstrated revenue generation and budget management skills.
    3. Experience in sports programming and events, with a passion for Nordic sports.
    4. Strong and proven leadership skills, including the ability to inspire and motivate, communicate effectively, solve problems, mediate conflicts, build relationships, and make decisions.
    5. Working knowledge of non-profit organizations and experience working with boards of directors and volunteers.
    6. Knowledge of ski trail grooming, snow-making equipment, and maintenance.
    7. Ability to oversee the move of the venue’s ticketing systems online.
    8. Functional-level knowledge of marketing, public relations, grant writing, contract negotiation, information technology, and human resources.
    9. Understanding of liability and legal issues inherent in operation of a sports-oriented venue.
    Apply:
    No later than May 15, 2014, please submit a one-page letter of interest, a resume, and three professional references to the Foundation’s Hiring Committee at soldierhollowlegacy@gmail.com. Questions may also be directed to this email address.