Adirondack Sports Council Names New Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 30, 2023
CONTACT: Kim Beach, Operations Manager, Adirondack Sports Council, kim@adksc.org, Tel: 518-249-6706
ADIRONDACK SPORTS COUNCIL NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The Adirondack Sports Council (ADKSC) announced today that Tracy Smith will become its new Executive Director. Smith succeeds Ashley Walden, who after five years leading the ADKSC, was named the President and CEO of NYS Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) on Aug. 21, 2023.
“The ADKSC is excited to welcome Tracy Smith as its new Executive Director," states James McKenna, Chair of the ADKSC board. "Tracy's leadership, experience, and passion will lead the Sports Council to new levels using sports tourism as an economic driver throughout the Adirondacks and beyond. We thank Ashley Walden for her leadership with the ADKSC and the World University Games as we eagerly look forward to working with her as CEO of the NYS Olympic Regional Development Authority."
Smith takes on her new role after serving as the ADKSC’s Director of Brand, Marketing, and Communications for January’s Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games. In that role, she was responsible for developing and overseeing the Games’ strategy, planning, and delivery of seven functional areas to include brand look, communications, marketing, sponsorship, ticketing and merchandising, ceremonies and sustainability and legacy. She was also a primary senior-level interface with the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and other local, state, and national authorities related to the planning and delivery of the multi-sport winter competition and cultural festival. The long-time Lake Placid resident is also the principal for Smith Creative, a digital design and marketing company she’s owned since 2013 and prior to that she was the creative director for Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc., based in Cohoes, N.Y.
As Executive Director, she will be responsible for leading the ADKSC’s continued efforts to attract and assist national and international sporting events in the Adirondack Region and throughout New York State. This will serve to drive international exposure and interest in New York State and bolster the growth of the state’s economy with sustainable employment and business opportunities.
"I consider it a great honor to step into the role of Executive Director of the ADKSC. Inspired by Ashley's remarkable track record, I am eager to advance her legacy of success. It is my goal to ensure that the north country region and the State of New York continue to serve as a beacon for national and international sports events," said Smith.
Last winter, the ADKSC served as the local organizing committee to the 31st winter edition of the FISU World University Games. Between January 12-22, 2023, collegiate-athletes (ages 17-25) and delegates from 50 nations and almost 600 universities participated in 12 winters sports and 86 events throughout Lake Placid and New York State’s north country region. Since then, the ADKSC (501c3) has become the official organizing committee to the Empire State Winter Games and the Wilmington Whiteface 100k and 50k Mountain Bike Race. Most recently, the Council is partnering with Schroon Lake’s Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival, to provide an updated website, additional marketing and promotion strategies, organization of volunteers and during the Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2023, event, the Council will assist with on-site activities.
Photo Courtesy: Adirondack Sports Council (ADKSC)
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