Leavenworth Winter Sports Club appoints first Executive Director

LEAVENWORTH — The Leavenworth Winter Sports Club has named its first-ever executive director, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s nearly 100-year history.

Murray Bartholomew, a longtime Leavenworth resident and veteran leader in global outdoor recreation, has been selected to lead the club in its newly created role. The position was established to support operations, strengthen partnerships, and enhance community outreach, according to club officials.

“After traveling the world to help develop and promote outdoor experiences in over 100 countries, I believe Leavenworth is truly something special,” Bartholomew said. “We have a rare mix of raw natural beauty, a deeply welcoming community, a vibrant downtown corridor, and a culture rooted in the outdoors. My role is to help us step confidently into that identity—positioning Leavenworth as a place where outdoor recreation builds connection, health, and lifelong memories.”

Bartholomew will work alongside existing staff, including trail operations veteran James Munly, who will continue to focus on infrastructure and program development.

“Our team is the heartbeat of this club, and I’m here to support them fully. They have built something truly special, and it’s an honor to stand alongside them,” Bartholomew said.

In addition to overseeing the club’s winter skiing and summer biking programs, Bartholomew emphasized LWSC’s broader mission of fostering community through outdoor activity.

“As a local Nordic ski coach, I’ve seen how the outdoors bring people together—parents sharing stories on the sidelines, neighbors skiing by moonlight, kids learning to love the snow,” he said. “These are more than recreational moments—they’re the ties that strengthen our community.”

The club’s stated goals under Bartholomew’s leadership include ensuring the long-term sustainability of winter sports in the valley, expanding access to human-powered recreation, and strengthening partnerships with schools, volunteers and other community groups.

“Murray brings the perfect mix of global experience and local love,” said Greg Peck, president of the LWSC board. “He’s a connector, a thoughtful listener, and someone who shares our belief that the outdoors can help communities thrive.”