Our Staff
Andy Shepard - President/Chief Executive Officerphone: 207-232-3304
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Andy spent 16 years at L.L.Bean in Freeport, Maine working on strategies, products and services to inspire people to spend time outdoors. While at L.L.Bean Andy was the co-architect of a strategy to develop a new economic model for Northern Maine. That model, with the continued support of the Portland-based Libra Foundation, has become the Maine Winter Sports Center.
Andy is an appointee to the Governor's Council on Health and Physical Fitness, The Northern Forest Center's Sustainable Economic Initiative, the Maine Tourism Advisory Council, trustee of Pineland Farms and is a co-founder, Vice Chairman and trustee of the United States Biathlon Foundation.
Will Sweetser - Competitive Programs Directorphone: 207-227-3322
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Will brings enthusiasm and a wide range of personal experience to the post of Community Programs Director. A Maine native, Mr. Sweetser skied for Edward Little High School before moving on to Dartmouth College and eventually the Alpina/Madshus racing team. He served as a coach at the Auburn Middle School, Bates College, the Jackson Hole Ski Club and Carrabassett Valley Academy. While coaching at CVA, Mr. Sweetser brought every member of his team to a Maine State team berth, many in their very first year of skiing. As coach and athlete, Mr. Sweetser has seen every facet of cross-country competition open to Maine skiers. At the Maine Winter Sports Center, he hopes to broaden those options and help the people of Maine enjoy skiing as a lifestyle. Will is a graduate of Dartmouth College.
Michael Smith - Director of Healthy Hometownsphone: 207-227-0250
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Mike is an Aroostook County native who attended the University of Maine, Orono. Upon graduating he became a registered Maine Guide and has worked as a sea kayak guide along the coast of Maine, as a whitewater kayak guide in Central America, and a cross-country ski coach and telemark ski instructor in Aroostook County. For the last two years Mike worked at MOJO, Presque Isle's bike and ski shop, at which he implemented a variety of programs such as community ski nights, ski and bike maintenance clinics, and beginner mountain bike rides. He has also assisted the University of Maine in Presque Isle with paddling and mountaineering programs, and most recently worked with the Nordic Heritage Sports Club as director of the annual Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival. Mike is excited to continue sharing his love for the outdoors in his new capacity as Community Development Coach with the MWSC. "I have been fortunate enough to have incredible adventures in my life, and I've been equally fortunate to have a home as special as northern Maine," said Smith, "I'm excited to share my love for both through my work with Maine Winter Sports Center." Mike resides in Presque Isle.
Lauren Jacobs - Healthy Hometowns Coachphone: 207-227-8580
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Lauren Jacobs was born and raised in Kennebec County where she grew-up spending countless hours outside. Whether in the mountains, on the water, or on snow, Lauren learned to appreciate Maine and all it has to offer for those eager to explore.
It was during high school at Gould Academy that Lauren was first introduced to cross-country skiing. From Bethel, Lauren went to Bates College where she skied on the Nordic team for four years and graduated with a degree in English. After college she coached the Mt. Blue High School Nordic ski team in Farmington and spent a year living in Québec City, learning French and working on a graduate degree. Most recently, Lauren was a member of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project. She spent two years in northern Vermont training and racing full-time in both biathlon and cross-country skiing.
After deciding it was time to return to Maine, Lauren wanted to find a job that would incorporate her loves of skiing, the outdoors, and a desire to work with kids. She is thrilled to be joining such a wonderful community in her home state!
Seth Hubbard - Biathlon Coach phone: 207-227-3867
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Seth was born and raised in Farmington on a dairy farm, where he learned his love for the outdoors—as both an athlete and a steward.
As an athlete Seth challenged himself at all levels of competition. He won four Maine State Cross-Country Ski titles, competed in numerous regional championships, as well as Junior Olympics, while attending Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. He went on to Bates College, where he earned a degree in Geology, was captain of the ski team and twice qualified for NCAA Championships. After school Seth joined the Maine Winter Sports Center, took up biathlon and made the United States Biathlon Development team, competing both domestically and internationally.
Prior to returning to the MWSC, Seth worked with the Maine State Department of Environmental Protection, and with Northern Lights Hearth and Sports in Farmington.
Seth will bring to the MWSC his experiences as an athlete, his love for skiing, and a love for Maine. He has chosen to spend his entire athletic, academic, and professional career based in Maine. “I chose that path because I feel that Maine’s communities and programs offer an exceptional level of enthusiasm, quality and support, and I want to be a part of that”. Seth is the first retired MWSC athlete to take on a position as a coach with the MWSC.
Sarah Kamilewicz - Development Coachphone: 207-554-0221
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Sarah started her skiing career on the trails and backwoods of Northern Minnesota. She served her country in the National Guard and Regular Army for a total of eight years and was a member of the National Guard Biathlon Program and World Class Athlete program. She earned a spot on the US National Biathlon Team and competed in Europa Cups, World Cups, World Championships, and was the alternate for the 2006 Olympic Team. She attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and the Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan.
After her career as a biathlete Sarah received a Bachelors of Science in life science education and then pursued a teaching and coaching career at Oxford Hills (Maine) Comprehensive High School. She enjoys all types of skiing and outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, biking, and hiking. In addition, she enjoys spoiling her French bulldog, Moxie.
Amber Dodge - Development Coachphone: 207-768-1936
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Amber was born in Worthington, Massachusetts and started skiing in her backyard with her family. She joined the local Bill Koch Youth Ski League at the age of 4 and grew up running, hiking, skiing and canoeing. Her most influential youth coach, Ed Hamel, taught Amber about ski racing and technique and about how to have a lot of fun outside!
Amber raced locally in high school, as well regionally at the J2 festival, Eastern High School Championships and at USSA Junior Olympics. She continued racing while at St. Lawrence University, where she studied International Studies and Music. After school Amber worked summers in Switzerland for an outdoor adventure company and as a certified Yoga Instructor. During the winters she worked at the Aspen Cross Country Ski Center and coached the development team for the Aspen Valley Ski Club.
Amber looks forward to working at the Maine Winter Sports Center and sharing her passion for nordic skiing and love for the outdoors.
Grace Hyndman - Southern Maine Healthy Hometowns Coachphone: 207-318-7550
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Grace Hyndman grew up in Cumberland and learned to ski in the woods behind her house. She was part of North Yarmouth Academy's first nordic ski team her freshman year of high school, and during her four years at NYA she developed both technical racing skills and an understanding of the strength of Maine's skiing community. She continued racing at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME, where she studied French and Biology.
While at Bowdoin, Grace spent many weekends leading hiking, canoeing and kayaking trips with the Bowdoin Outing Club, and participated in a range of community service projects. She has spent her summers leading youth kayaking trips in Casco Bay, volunteering in Kenya, and working as counselor at a summer camp outside Philadelphia.
Grace is grateful for the opportunity to help provide Maine's kids and communities with the resources and support they need to live healthy, active, outdoor lifestyles.
Brenda Cote - Office Managerphone: 207-492-1444
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Brenda brings a variety of office skills to the Maine Winter Sports Center. She worked as Administrative Assistant for the Loring Development Authority for five years. She has four years of banking experience and was the Secretary at the Caribou Middle School for seven years. Brenda was also chairman of the Washington D.C. Fundraising Committee for four years, which gave 7th and 8th grade students an opportunity to raise money to visit Washington D.C.
Sheri Sirois - Office Assistantphone: 207-492-1444
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Sheri joins our staff as an entrepreneur with valuable experience in a number of service and finance areas. Her warm nature, professionalism and commitment to getting things right will all help her make a significant impact in our mission to make a difference in the lives of people in Maine. Sheri is excited to be part of the MWSC staff and hopes to help make skiing a lifestyle in not only Maine, but with her family as well.
