Central Cross Country Skiing (CXC)

Yuriy Gusev

EXECUTIVE AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Executive Director Yuriy Gusev is a dedicated cross-country skier whose vision has guided the growth of CXC since its founding in 2005. Under his leadership, Central Cross Country Skiing has become a dynamic, forward-thinking regional organization, frequently recognized by both U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

Yuriy holds a bachelor's degree in cross-country ski coaching and physical education, with a minor in sports medicine. He is also a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Level 200 certified coach.

In addition to his role at CXC, Yuriy has served on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Cross Country Sport Committee since 2007 and currently sits on the boards of both the National Nordic Foundation and the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (since 2012).

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Irina Komarova

BUSINESS MANAGER

Irina joined CXC as a media and design advisor, and quickly took on a broader role overseeing communications, member engagement, digital content, and web-based projects. Her work helps shape the voice and visual identity of the organization across platforms.

She holds an Associate of Science degree in Internet Technology, Multimedia, and Design from Penn Foster College, and is a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Level 100 certified coach.

In addition to her background in cross-country skiing, Irina enjoys playing tennis and has a lifelong love of working with horses.

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Kamilya Omarova

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Kamilya Omarova has joined the CXC team as an operations manager. During her carrier in Kazakhstan Ski Association, Kamilya led the organizational committee of several ski sport events in Almaty, including the FIS Junior World Ski Championships (2015), the FIS World Cup in Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined, and FIS events in Cross-Country Skiing.

Kamilya has a Bachelor's degree in accounting and an MBA Degree in marketing.

Her volunteer experience includes participation in the Olympic Games (2014) as an athlete manager, FIS World Ski Championships (2017) as a team attach, and various events for charity and non-profit organizations.

Besides her volunteer involvement and work in ski sports, she also likes to spend time outdoors hiking and running.

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Grace Erholtz

SPORT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Grace serves as the Sport Development Manager for CXC and as the Development Coach for Team Birkie, a professional ski team based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Originally from Brainerd/Baxter, MN, Grace skied and ran for Saint Michael's College in Colchester, VT for four years where she majored in History and Secondary Education before attending the University of Wyoming for her Master's degree in Kinesiology and Health. She has coached at several regional and development camps and trips such as the CXC Dream camp, National U16 camp, Junior Nationals, and the Central trip to Canadian Nationals. In addition to her coaching duties, Grace enjoys reading, playing the violin, and engaging in sport advocacy.

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Gordy Bartholomew

ADAPTIVE PROGRAM COORDINATOR

As Adaptive Coordinator at CXC, Gordy plays a key role in building and maintaining partnerships with veterans organizations across the Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago areas. He plans, coordinates, and oversees adaptive biathlon events designed specifically for veterans and active-duty military personnel with disabilities. Gordy also leads outreach and registration efforts for these events, ensures the maintenance of adaptive biathlon equipment, and supports grant writing and reporting efforts to sustain the program. Beyond these core responsibilities, Gordy collaborates on a variety of CXC programs and events throughout the year.

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CXC ALUMNI STAFF

Former staff members have been instrumental in carrying out the Vision and Mission established by the CXC Board.

Scott Wilson - Chief of Operations and Adaptive Coordinator

Tim Miner - Executive Director

Martha Heisel - Membership Chair (2000-2005)

Kay Wilson - Bookkeeper (2000-2009) and Membership Chair (2005-2010)

Jerry Wright - Legal Consultant (2000-2005)

Tan Konzen - Logo Designer

Bill Danielson - Web Design (2000-2005)

Tom and Vera Marquardt - Website Managers (2002-2005)

Steve Narveson - Accountant/Bookkeeping (2001-2006)

Bryan Fish - CXC Team Head Coach

Jason Cork - CXC Team Head Coach

Gus Kaeding - CXC Development Coach

Igor Badamshin - CXC Junior Development Coach, CXC Team Head Coach

William Pierce - CXC Junior Development Coach, CXC Team Head Coach

John Brown - Adaptive Program Manager

Jill Prigge - Adaptive Membership Liaison

Justin Easter - Operations Manager

Andrew Poffenberger - CXC Para Nordic Coach

Peter Graves - Creative Writing

Mary Kozloski - Media and Communications Coordinator

Duncan Bathe - CXC Adaptive & Veterans Program Coordinator

Martin Donegan - CXC Para Nordic Coach

Egor Akimov - Sport Development

Andy Keller - CXC Team Head Coach

Karmen Whitham - Development Coach

Eliska Albrigtsen - Community Olympic Development Coach

Tobias Albrigtsen - Media and Sports Coordinator

Krystof Kopal - Operations Manager

Amy Cichanowski - Youth Coordinatore

Bruce Manske - Nordic Rocks Program Director

Chrissy Snider - CXC Club and Membership Communications

T.J. Holsen - Director of Donor Relations

Joe Haggenmiller - Sport Development Director

Marshal Landrum - Adaptive Program Manager & Development Coach

Laura Macfarlane - Nordic Rocks Program Manager

Renae Anderson - Sport Development Manager