Patrick Caron and Jeff McCabe join the Board for three-year terms.
Patrick Caron and Jeff McCabe have joined the Maine Sports Commission’s Board of Directors.
Caron, based out of Mount Desert Island, is the founder of Move Free, an international outdoor brand offering consciously-crafted activewear and movement experiences for athletes and adventurers. He launched the popular Move Free Run Club, which brings together runners around their shared passion for movement and community. Move Free also curates and hosts multiple running retreats around the region, focused on cultivating community and showcasing New England’s gorgeous landscapes. For the last several years, in addition to competing professionally in events around the world, Caron has worked closely with numerous running clubs and event organizers to support them through race directing, media coverage, podcast hosting, live commentating, coaching, outreach, fundraising, and more.
McCabe works as the director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation. He has worked for more than 20 years in Maine’s outdoor economy and is a registered Maine Recreational and Whitewater Guide. He previously served as legislative and political director for the Maine Service Employees Association, Maine outreach coordinator with the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, director of Lake George Regional Park, and executive director of the Somerset County Soil and Water Conservation District. McCabe also served for eight years in the Maine House of Representatives and is currently a member of the Skowhegan Planning Board. McCabe graduated from Unity College where he received a bachelor of science in environmental education. He resides in Skowhegan with his family, who shares his love for the outdoors.
Jo Williams, a founding member of Maine Sports Commission’s Board of Directors, lauded the addition of Caron and McCabe to the Board.
“The Maine Sports Commission plays an important role in showcasing our state as a premier destination for sports enthusiasts worldwide,” said Williams, dean of the University of Southern Maine’s College of Management and Human Services and an associate professor of marketing. “By promoting our diverse range of sports events, we invite visitors to experience Maine’s natural beauty and discover the blend of adventure and community that makes our state a must-visit location.
“Patrick and Jeff each have a breadth and depth of experience in sports participation and event management that will bring valuable perspective to the board and boost our efforts to attract more events to Maine communities statewide,” added Sheila Brennan Nee, strategic director of the Maine Sports Commission.
Caron and McCabe will each serve three-year terms on the board.
Maine Sports Commission is a nonprofit organization that works to advance, elevate, and promote Maine as a four-season sports destination, strengthening the state through sports tourism and encouraging healthy, active lifestyles. Sporting events contributed an estimated $155.6 million to the Maine economy and attracted approximately 253,071 out-of-state visitors in 2019, according to a study conducted by the University of Southern Maine’s Center for Business and Economic Research.
