Adirondack Explorer

Briefs

Walden slides into Olympic authority job

BY JAMES M. ODATO

In September, former Olympic luger Ashley Walden, the head of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games, became the Olympic Regional Development Authority’s chief executive officer.

She beat eight other finalists, including five ORDA officers and Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay Lake, who says he is committed to his job as a lawmaker.

Walden, 41, replaced Mike Pratt, 62. He retired after 38 years, six as CEO, at ORDA.

In an interview, Walden said her worldwide sports relationships and background as a top athlete—disciplined about planning and reaching goals—prepared her for the $195,000-per-year post, although she must strengthen facilities management skills.

A Lake Placid resident since 2005, she said she likes to downhill ski with her 10-year-old daughter and 4-year-old

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