Local resident Jeff Byrne was presented the International Skiing History Association’s (ISHA) 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual gala, which was held Friday evening, March 28, at the Lake Placid Conference Center.

In receiving this prestigious award, the former Senior Vice President of the Olympic Authority was recognized for his commitment and numerous lifelong activities promoting skiing and ski education.

“I’m humbled, grateful, and excited to be recognized in this manner,” said Jeff in his acceptance speech to all those attending the ISHA Awards Gala at the Lake Placid Conference Center. “To get an award like this by an organization of people who really know skiing is very special, and to have so many good friends here tonight, former coworkers, and employees of the Olympic Authority who are taking on the next generation of responsibilities is an honor, too.”

Jeff graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from St. Lawrence University. Early in his career and throughout much of his life, he dedicated his time and talent to professional coaching of athletes and teams. He first took on coaching three sports for the Darrow School in Lebanon, New Hampshire. From 1977 through 1982, he returned to Lake Placid to coach at Northwood School before becoming Assistant Headmaster, Program Director, and Coach for three sports at Carrabassett Valley Academy in central Maine.

In 1988, he began a long and rewarding position as Director of Alpine Skiing and Winter Sports for Special Olympics International, where he managed all aspects of winter sports programming for nearly a decade.

Having spent many summers in Keene, NY, during his youth and later having coached at Northwood School in Lake Placid, the Olympic Region of the Adirondacks always felt like home for Jeff. So, when he was offered the position of Senior Vice President of the Olympic Authority, Jeff returned to the region in 1997 with his wife Nevenka and daughter Molly.

Having started a few years before welcoming the large international multi-sport event known as the Goodwill Games in 2000, Jeff played an instrumental role in upgrading the venues, including the construction of the new combined bobsled, skeleton, and luge track at Mt Van Hoevenberg. He served in that Olympic Authority role for over 20 years, performing key responsibilities that helped maintain facilities, promote winter sport, and bolster athlete development.

Speaking of his work in Lake Placid, Jeff expressed his satisfaction at having worked with the Olympic Authority team through the years and the honor he feels in having played a significant part in the organization’s achievements. “It’s rewarding to have helped make an impact in continuing the legacy and to know our venues today are bringing in events like the IBSF World Championships and all the World Cup events and so much more.”

Jeff also contributed his experience and expertise to many community organizations throughout his long and rewarding career. He served as a board member for the Turning Point Foundation, Snowmass Academy, and the Warren County, NY, Economic Development Corporation. He also served important roles on many ski education committees, such as the International Ski Federation (FIS) Youth and Children Alpine and Cross-Country Working Groups, the Alpine Sport Resource Team of Special Olympics International, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s Education and Development Committees, and many others. In addition, Jeff has co-authored a book titled “A Parent’s Guide to Ski Racing.”

The Olympic Authority team congratulates Jeff Byrne on being presented with this major award. His professional dedication to wide-ranging responsibilities over more than two decades and his long record of effective organization and business management success were instrumental to the organization’s ongoing mission and mandate.