To: All CCBC Members
Re: Wannes Luppens Departure as Executive Director
Cross Country BC (CCBC) has been very fortunate over the past decade to have Wannes Luppens as our Executive Director. I want to take this note to oAer my views on the incredible contribution Wannes has made in leading CCBC to be the most successful Cross Country Division in Canada with strong, growing clubs operating in a very positive environment. In sharing this information, I thought I would start with Wannes’ own note to the CCBC members and board on his thoughts on leaving. I will then share the note I sent to the CCBC Board, Nordiq Canada Board and Division Chairs and then, finally, our preliminary job description for a new CCBC Executive Director.
I hope you will take the time to review these notes and join me in thanking Wannes for his care, creativity and leadership over this past decade.
Reid Carter, CCBC Chair
Wannes’ Note to all Members and the Board
To our wonderful ski community:
I’d like to share that after more than 10 years with Cross Country BC, I’ll be stepping away from my role as Executive Director at the end of this ski season. It’s been a very exciting time and there have been so many good-news stories across the province. Our sport is in a strong position and on an upward trajectory. For me personally, it is simply a time for a change and it was important to me to do this on a high note; it’s an exciting time for the next person to step up.
While my final day will be March 31, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition. I look forward to staying involved in an advisory capacity and assisting with special projects.
I want to give a huge heartfelt thank-you to everyone working to grow our wonderful sport across the province. In the face of declining sport and physical activity across Canada, cross country skiing in BC is bucking the trend. Our sport is truly a force for good!
Happy skiing!
Wannes
CCBC Chair’s Letter to the CCBC and Nordiq Canada Boards and Division Chairs
As per the subject line, above, this is not a note I have ever looked forward to writing. Wannes informed me a couple of days ago that he plans to leave his Executive Director position at Cross Country BC eAective March 31, 2026. In typical Wannes fashion, he has promised to help out as needed to ensure a smooth transition post departure as well as committing to completing the Community Gaming Grant (in early/mid March), an important revenue piece for CCBC ($100k+). He has also stated that he is happy to contribute in an advisory role and willing to help with projects going forward.
For your own information, there is no significant reason for his departure (e.g., compensation, role or responsibilities, organization structure, etc.) that might account for Wannes’ decision. He tells me that this is largely about finding the role to be too operational and feels too many of his many other areas of interest are suAering owing to his self-described compulsiveness in focusing on this job – something many of us can relate to!
Wannes is leaving CCBC in a very strong position, something I believe he can take a lot of credit for. Wannes will also be leaving us after ensuring that our two key sponsorships (Teck and Kal Tire) have each been recently renewed for 5 more years.
Wannes will be leaving CCBC with an experienced team in place and believes a strategy of “staying the course” and focusing on the fundamentals will be key to our future success. I plan to start a search immediately and have attached the job posting I used in 2015 when I had the good fortune of hiring Wannes. This posting will become more oAicial and be more widely posted in the coming week. CCBC will form a modest Nominating Committee to help with this process. Obviously, any candidate volunteers and suggestions will be welcome.
Over this past 10+ years, Wannes has become a valued friend and partner in “our” CCBC Project. I hope you will all join me in thanking Wannes for all the hard work, dedication, imagination, energy and leadership he has brought to this task. Wannes has an impressive following among Executive Directors, Divisional Chairs Canada-wide as well as among the Nordiq Canada executive for his many ideas and successes. He will be sorely missed!
Please feel free to reach out to Wannes and please also give thought to potential Executive director candidates and, just as importantly, who might be strong new additions to our Board.
Best Regards,
Reid Carter
Preliminary Job Posting - CROSS COUNTRY BC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Cross Country BC (CCBC), the provincial governing body for the sport of cross-country skiing, is seeking a Vernon-based Executive Director to lead the organization to the next level. CCBC has been very successful over the past decade in growing and strengthening the organization with a sound strategic plan and governance model and strong relationships with member clubs and other stakeholders. CCBC now has 13 of the 20 largest clubs in Canada. Our ~50 clubs are generally in excellent health and a very high standing with provincial government supporting programs such as ViaSport where CCBC has been ranked in the “Top 3” of all 60+ PSOs in the latest two quadrennial viaSport Evaluations conducted. The organization is in excellent shape and requires a proven leader with strong team building and networking skills, hands-on management experience and a passion for the job.
Working under the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director implements CCBC’s strategic plan for developing British Columbia’s cross-country skiing community. Working with a small staA team and a number of volunteer-based program committees, the Executive Director is responsible for all aspects of CCBC’s operational activities. Core activities of the Executive Director include: operational planning; supervision of program development and operations in the areas of coach development, athlete development, oAicials development, marketing and fundraising and media relations; support of and liaison with CCBC’s member clubs; financial and human resources management; sport promotion; and external relations.
If you want to be part of this dynamic team, take a look at the job description posted HERE or contact Reid Carter at reid@reidcarter.ca. If you are interested please forward your resume to reid@reidcarter.ca. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
Closing Date: March 15, 2026