The Loppet Foundation
Ben W. Bauch is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in operations, marketing, and community engagement. Currently serving as the Trailhead Director at The Loppet Foundation since October 2021 and an Election Official for the City of Minneapolis since October 2020, Bauch has previously held roles such as Operations Manager at Voyager Campervans and at The Loppet Foundation, where responsibilities included customer service management. As a co-founder and leader for November Project, Inc., Bauch demonstrated strong leadership and organizational skills. Additional roles include urban guiding and marketing management positions, showcasing versatility across various sectors. Ben W. Bauch holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management, with a focus on Marketing and Non-Profit/Public Management.
The Loppet Foundation
The Loppet Foundation is a non-profit organization that connects people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community. The organization operates the Twin Cities' most well known cross-country ski trails, in addition to hiking/running trails, mountain bike / fat-tire bike trails, a snow tubing hill, an alpine hill, and a frisbee golf course, all based out of The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. The Loppet is widely known for organizing large-scale sporting events which have shaped cross-country skiing in both the Midwest and the United States. The 2018 Masters Cross Country Ski World Cup, 2011 and 2021 U.S. Junior Cross Country Ski Championships, 2020 FIS Cross Country World Cup, U.S. SuperTour races, 2019 and 2020 USA Winter Triathlon National Championships, and 2018 Super Bowl Live are some of the largest external events the organization has overseen. The Foundation also organizes 50+ Loppet events each year, including the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival which attracts over 13,000 participants annually. Focused programming in the Adventure Camp, Ski Camp, Minne-Loppet, and Junior Loppet programs have helped thousands of youth in North Minneapolis learn life-long outdoor skills and gain confidence in their abilities. The Loppet Run Club, Loppet Ultra Run Club, and Loppet Ski Club provide adults with the opportunity to gain group recreational experience in individual sports, while Loppet TRAIL KIDS is a stepping stone for children ages 7-13 into other more competitive programs. The year-round nationally-recognized competitive training programs for junior and adult racers include Loppet Run 365, Loppet Cycle Works, and Loppet Nordic Racing.