KINGFIELD, Maine — A former Olympic cyclist has been hired as the new executive director of an organization that’s developing a backcountry network of huts along 180 miles of trails in Maine’s western mountains.
Nicole Freedman begins this month as head of Maine Huts and Trails.
A member of the 2000 Olympic cycling team, Freedman has served as director of bicycle programs for the city of Boston the past five years.
Maine Huts and Trails was formed with the long-term aim of building 12 overnight shelters and nonmotorized trails stretching from near the New Hampshire border to the Moosehead Lake region. Each shelter has a main lodge, private rooms with beds, hot showers and home-cooked meals.
So far, the organization has built three huts along 50 miles of trails.
Spending a day on the trail and a night in one of the lodges is a wonderful outdoor experience that I will never forget.
Why, why does a good simple operation like Maine Huts and Trails need an EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ?
The CEO wanna-be’s types are swarming to find places to elevate themselves and their pay by convincing ego driven boards needing to seem more important – There go the funds – mark my words !!
Hospitals, Credit Unions, and now MH&T fall into the abyss .
In answer to your question: Because Maine Huts and Trails is turning into a bureaucracy before our eyes, and the primary purpose of any bureaucracy is self-preservation.
well said 5++++
The critics here, none of whom probably know her or the good work she’s done for cyclists in Boston might calm down if MH&T had used the term “Trail Boss”, or “First Hiker.” As the trail gets longer, the lodges more numerous and the staff larger, someone has to do it, right? The AMC hires it’s administrators. The Maine AT Club, a volunteer maintenance outfit has salaried help. Even co-ops have administrators. Folks should relax.
I am sure there will be NO TRAILS through QUIMBY Land.
It seems like a smart move to hire a dedicated cyclist with brains (MIT / Stanford) to ensure progress on a worthwhile objective. Hopefully funds are available to sustain her efforts for at least 2-3 years. The group seems to need this type of initiative / direction and we should give Nicole our support to make her work easier and more productive.