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In 2019, Stuart Abelson founded Better & Faster Together, a national non-profit organization committed to facilitating, through education and awareness, a healthy competitive environment that ensures the life lessons of competitive ski racing are central to the experience.
Abelson graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from Bates College in 1997, where he was a Charles A. Dana Scholar and was presented the Bruce Stangle Award for Distinguished Service. He holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management (2005). Abelson recently stepped down as President & CEO of Ora, Inc., the world leader in ophthalmic drug and device development, in order to focus on development areas within the company.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker recently appointed Abelson to the board of the Mass. Life Science Center, an economic development and investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts.
Abelson is a commercial seaplane and helicopter pilot, an accomplished athlete (where accolades include national trick water-ski champion and four-time NCWSA All-American) and is currently training as a masters alpine ski racer.
Abelson’s most important priority is to be a loving and supportive father to Sam (10) and Audrey (11) and to be a role model for them.
Krista Crabtree grew up in New Hampshire on the slopes every winter weekend with her mom and dad (who still competes on the masters ski race circuit). After racing NASTAR at age 5, she was hooked. Crabtree raced for Bates College as well as played tennis and waterskied (she graduated in 1995 with a B.A. in English, Concentration in Creative Writing). While at Bates, Crabtree got her Level 100 USSA coaches certification. After college, Crabtree coached U10s at Ski Club Vail in Vail, Colorado, and taught at Vail Valley Ski Academy. She later moved to Boulder to attend graduate school at the University of Colorado (receiving an M.A. in Creative Writing in 2000). She coached at Eldora Mountain Resort and joined SKI Magazine as an intern. The internship turned into full-time job as an editor, where she covered fashion, instruction and gear (she was a ski and boot tester and director of the women’s ski test). She also joined PSIA-AASI and got her Level I cert.
During the past decade, Krista launched a freelance writing career (writing for publications such as SKI and Outside Magazine), started She Skis Women’s Ski Testing Clinics in Vail, organized national ski tests and received her Level II cert and Children’s Specialist II. She currently runs the women’s program at Eldora, coaches for Vail’s Her Turn clinics, organizes women’s ski clinics, coaches U14s for Eldora Mountain Ski Team and is the head coach for the Nederland Middle School Ski Team. She enjoys raising (and coaching) her daughter, Trinity (13) in the mountains with her husband Ed.
A native of Western New York's Snowbelt, Amy has been a lover of snow and snow sports since a very young age. Skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing fuel her passion and help keep her grounded.
Connell has a deep appreciation for snow sports and has been a supporter for years. Her husband, Rogan Connell serves as the Alpine Program Director at Gould Academy in Bethel, Maine. Prior to that, Rogan was the Head Alpine Coach at Bates College. Connell serves as Gould Academy's Director of Alumni and Family Relations and can be found at races handing out start lists, cheering loudly, doling out high-fives as well as warm hugs and tissues. "It's a family, really,” says Connell. “You grow so close with these athletes and want to help support them in their endeavors. Also, what an awesome opportunity this has been for our family. Raising our young daughter, Elinor on the slopes with dozens of big ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ is so unique and special."
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