ORDA CEO rides off into the sunset at retirement party

State Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt, far right, watches ORDA Communications Director Darcy Norfolk give a speech at his retirement party the evening of Friday, Sept. 29 at the Craig Wood Golf Course in Lake Placid. Pratt’s last day on the job was Thursday, Sept. 28. He spent more than 37 years working for ORDA, including the last six-and-a-half years as president/CEO. He lives in Warren County with his wife, Sandi, who organized the event. (News photo — Andy Flynn)
LAKE PLACID — As the sun was setting at his retirement party at the Craig Wood Golf Course Friday evening, Sept. 29, Mike Pratt demonstrated how to squirm and stay still at the same time.
Known for being humble and talking about his staff’s accomplishments and legacy, instead of his own as the state Olympic Regional Development Authority’s president and CEO for more than six years, he stood by the podium, like a sentinel, next to the dozen people lauding his successes. The crowd was filled with friends, family, colleagues, staff, ORDA board members, politicians, business owners and local leaders.
“He hates this,” ORDA Communications Director Darcy Norfolk told the News after her speech.
That was confirmed at the end of the evening when Pratt thanked everyone for attending his party.
“This is very humbling. I’m really honored, really excited about tomorrow,” he said. “I can’t believe you guys left me hanging up here for this long, through all these speeches, without coming up to support me. You call yourselves friends.”

State Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt and his wife Sandi arrive at his retirement party on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Craig Wood Golf Course. (News photo — Andy Flynn)
The reason for all the well wishes, Norfolk said, was they were celebrating an “Olympic-sized retirement.”
“Mike, you mentioned the other day that you did not want a wake, and even this evening, you said, ‘I don’t want any eulogies.’ But unfortunately, you’re about to feel more uncomfortable. Sorry,” she said. “And the reason why is because Mike is all about the team, and he’s really all about us. There isn’t a day that goes by that he doesn’t give the employees credit, says thank you to the staff, and he also starts every sentence with ‘we.’ ‘We have a great team. The staff is doing a tremendous job.’ So to say he is humble is an understatement. But tonight, Mike, it’s all about you.”
After serving as interim president and CEO following the retirement of Ted Blazer, the ORDA Board officially appointed Pratt to the position permanently on March 21, 2017. Previously, he had been the general manager of the Gore Mountain ski center in North Creek for 21 years. His last day on the job as CEO was Thursday, Sept. 28. He spent the previous two weeks helping new President and CEO Ashley Walden with the transition and spent the day of his retirement party playing golf at the Whiteface Club golf course.
Pratt’s wife, Sandi, organized the party, picked him up from town and made sure he arrived at exactly 5 p.m. His daughter Lexi, who flew in from Iowa for the occasion, welcomed guests at the club house.
“Before we start all the speeches and talk about what an amazing career Mike has had,” Sandi said around 6:15 p.m., “we’re going to cut the cake, starting with the birthday cake because today is our daughter Lexi’s 27th birthday.”

New state Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Ashley Walden arrives with her husband, Bengt, at former ORDA President/CEO Mike Pratt's retirement party on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Craig Wood Golf Course. Her first day on the job was Sept. 14, and her first day without Pratt's transitional tutelage was Sept. 29. (News photo — Andy Flynn)
Sandi asked bobsled/luge broadcaster John Morgan to emcee the event, which he said was appropriate.
“Because my last day at the Olympic Authority 38 years ago was the day that Mike Pratt started working for the Olympic Authority,” Morgan said. “And I remember that day because I went into the office of Ray Pratt, Mike’s father who was the vice president of sport for the Olympic Authority, to say thank you to Ray for my three years of working for the Olympic Authority and working under Ray. And in there was Mike. Mike Pratt was starting the next day at Gore. And I want to say, Mike, where did the 38 years go?”
“Flew by,” Mike said.
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Zamboni driver to CEO

Broadcaster John Morgan was the emcee for state Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt’s retirement party on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Craig Wood Golf Course. (News photo — Andy Flynn)
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A 1979 graduate of the Lake Placid High School, Mike has deep roots in the village of Lake Placid. His father is a member of the Lake Placid Hall of Fame and was a legendary hockey coach at the high school and the sports director for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. Ray was hired as ORDA’s vice president of events in 1982 and served as interim president in 1994 and 1995.
“I’m going to regress and go back quite a few years,” North Elba town Supervisor Derek Doty said during his speech. “As a Saranac Laker, I had the benefit of having the arena, and as a kid during summer hockey camps, I’m four or five years ahead of Mike, I remember when he was a rink rat, following his dad around and learning the ropes.”
Norfolk pointed out a familiar story about Mike’s job during the 1980 Winter Olympics.
“Many of you have probably heard about his … job as a Zamboni driver at the 1980 Rink during the Olympics and if you haven’t, he would totally be willing to tell you about it later,” she said before handing him one of many presents that evening, a blue 1980 Olympic hockey jersey, number 80 with PRATT on the back.

State Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt, left, stands next to former Lake Placid mayor and North Elba town supervisor Roby Politi during a toast to Pratt’s career at a retirement party on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Craig Wood Golf Course. (Provided photo — ORDA)
“U-S-A! U-S-A!” Mike said after putting on the jersey.
Doty remembered being part of the process to hire a new ORDA leader after Blazer retired.
“Many of you know that I worked for Pat Barrett, the former chairman of the board, and we’d do quite a few luncheons,” he said. “And during that process, I’m glad to have been part of a conversation that basically went, ‘Doty, what would you do? A national search? What would you do?’ I said you have the most successful person right at Gore Mountain that nobody’s going to pull the wool over his eyes. He knows what goes in the ground, he knows what goes above the ground, and he can work with all of them.”
As president and CEO, Mike was in charge of an organization that manages a variety of properties throughout the state, from the Whiteface Mountain ski center and the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway in Wilmington; to the Olympic Center, ORDA administration building, Olympic Speedskating Oval, Olympic Jumping Complex, and Mount Van Hoevenberg Sliding Center and Nordic Center in Lake Placid; to the Gore Mountain ski center in North Creek; and finally the Belleayre Mountain ski center in the Catskills.
Just as Mike became the CEO, New York state began increasing its investments in ORDA’s facilities, budgeting extra funds for capital projects to “modernize” the venues and bring them back to international sporting standards.

New York State Assistant Secretary of Economic Development Thomas Conoscenti, left, presents state Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt with a proclamation from Gov. Kathy Hochul during his retirement party on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Craig Wood Golf Course. (News photo — Andy Flynn)
A marked increase in capital project funds from the state came after Lake Placid was named the host city for the 2023 FISU Winter World University Games, a announcement that was made in March 2018.
According to approved state budget bills from the New York Legislature, not including funds for maintenance or New York Works, ORDA received $28 million for capital projects in fiscal year 2018; $50 million in FY2019; $70 million in FY2020; $134 million in FY 2021; $92.5 million in FY2022; $92.5 million in FY 2023; and $92.5 million in FY 2024. All this to modernize ORDA’s venues for world-class competition, make them sustainable and create more four-season revenue streams.
Thomas Conoscenti, New York’s assistant secretary of economic development, presented Mike with a framed proclamation from Gov. Kathy Hochul listing many of his accomplishments at ORDA, especially his leadership during the modernization of those venues. Those successes were echoed in a proclamation from the state Assembly, delivered by Connie Mandeville, who works for Assemblyman Billy Jones of the 115th District (he was in Ireland on Sept. 29).
“Mike had a big vision,” Norfolk said. “He did what many thought was unachievable. He brought, as we’ve already heard, a $650 million investment to the Olympic Authority facilities, bringing them back to their world-class standard. And Mike has always been known to count how many construction days were left to a project or how many days the ski resort was about to open or how many days until the opening ceremony of the FISU games. So to commemorate these signature projects, let’s reflect. The massive transformation of Mount Van Hoevenberg: 495 days. The Olympic Center: 737 days. The Olympic Jumping Complex: 271 days. And Whiteface: 381 days from the tragic fire to the new Legacy Lodge.”
Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism CEO Jim McKenna put Mike’s tenure as CEO into historical perspective, referring to the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games and the 2023 FISU Games.
“There are certain time periods in this region’s history that stand out. One of those is 1929 to 1932. The next one was 1974 to 1980. And the third one is 2018 to 2023,” McKenna said. “It’s certainly a great investment from the state, but what we don’t hear about in all those times — and currently happened this time — was a tremendous amount of private investment. These venues, which you have modernized, Mike, are now situated to last for the next four decades. And that’s important not from an international sports point of view — from a private investment point of view, from an economic point of view and a global identity point of view. So I think we are all totally in awe of what was accomplished over that time period and understanding that what was accomplished, you’re moving on, but the legacy of those years, Mike, is carrying on.”
On behalf of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, retired Vice President of Bids and Protocol Chris Sullivan could not be in attendance, so Norfolk read his letter to Mike. Before joining the USOPC in 1997, Sullivan was the vice president of corporate management at ORDA.
“When you think what has been accomplished in your tenure as president, particularly with the complications of a pandemic, you should be especially proud,” Sullivan wrote. “Your focus and tenacity has been a gift to all of us, and your singular focus to get things done. Many would view this opportunity to take a break, but not you. I’m not sure that anyone could have accomplished what you have achieved. … I hope you will take this time to reflect on what you have achieved and the knowledge that the world-class team that you leave behind will be ready to carry the ball forward for whatever is next. I also want to thank you and your team for the strong support of Team USA and for all the international athletes that call Lake Placid their second home, whether training or competing.”
ORDA board Chairman Joe Martens presented Mike with a framed photo of Gore Mountain from the board of directors.
“Most of you know, and I’ve already alluded to it, that Mike had a very special affinity for Gore Mountain. In fact, many have accused him of changing ORDA into GOREDA,” Martens said, adding that Mike was very supportive of the board.
“He engaged us, he listened to us, he provided us with everything we needed, and we are enormously grateful to him.”
When he was chairman for the first time, Martens met Mike over 10 years ago at Gore and would ski there regularly with his son.
“And every time we went there, we would stop in, say hello to Mike,” Martens said. “He’d take us out on a run or two, show me all the improvements that were in the works or he was making at Gore. And he would quietly tell me how Gore was getting short-changed versus Whiteface. He never missed an opportunity.”
All Mike’s good work at Gore was rewarded when he was appointed CEO and president of ORDA, according to Martens.
“You all have heard a thousand times about the ‘Miracle on Ice.’ Well, I’m calling this the ‘Miracle by Mike,'” he said. “In the course of six or seven years … he oversaw the hugest investment in ORDA ever. He oversaw the last three years during the pandemic. Every venue is in better shape now than it was when it was built. And it was all done when Mike had health issues, the pandemic was on, they had supply issues, and somehow Mike got it all done. It truly was miraculous, although I know it was more than miraculous; it was great staff and he reminds me every time that he didn’t do it alone. It was the great staff he assembled. So I want to congratulate them along with Mike for all those accomplishments.”
Martens noted that Mike concentrated on sustainability when it came to modernizing the venues.
“Everything,” he said, from hybrid groomers at Whiteface to an electric Zamboni at the Olympic Center. “And I will channel Mike for a moment because every time I’m with him, I’m sure many of you have heard these refrains, he talks about the snowmaking, that the snow guns are equivalent of LED lighting. They are so efficient. … Everything that Mike has done, he’s thought about the future. And he’s thought about not only the future of ORDA but the future of the planet.”
All those investments have given Lake Placid the chance to host some of the most prestigious events in sports, according to Martens.
“The World University Games last January. World Bobsled Championships. We have three World Cups coming up to Lake Placid (luge, ski jumping and bobsled/skeleton), and that’s just the beginning, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “He has teed up all kinds of competition here that we couldn’t have hosted absent those investments.”
Most importantly, Martens said, “Mike is universally respected, and the audience here today, I think everybody here can appreciate that. He is respected by his peers, his colleagues, elected officials, local businesses, everybody. And, to me, that is the highest form of praise that anyone can get for a career well served.”
“Here, here,” audience members said. “Here, here.”
Before the retirement party, Lake Placid Mayor Art Devlin asked village department heads and employees what they think of Mike.
“And overwhelmingly what I got was they were very impressed with the fact that he started at the bottom and worked his way to the top,” he said. “He was inspirational, and they’re all appreciative of that. Also, they said that no matter who Mike is talking to, he treats everybody the same with gratitude and respect. And I think looking around here tonight at a cross section of people, that speaks volumes. And this may sound a little bit corny, but your mother and father would be very proud.”
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Gifts and golf
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In addition to the hockey jersey and Gore photo, Mike was given two Adirondack chairs, one for him and one for Sandi. As CEO, Mike had started a tradition of giving Adirondack chairs to people who retired at ORDA.
Former state Sen. Betty Little, a current ORDA board member, gave Mike an I Love NY ball cap.
“Mike always wore a baseball cap to our meetings, so I went looking for one for Gore Mountain,” she said. “I could not find one in my house for Gore Mountain, but I did find an I Love NY. And this is for Mike to wear when he travels outside of New York so that everyone realizes this man is Mr. New York, Mr. Gore Mountain. Our winter state facilities would never be what they are today without Mike Pratt, so this hat’s for you.”
Money raised for Mike’s retirement from guests will go toward a new set of golf clubs. An avid golfer himself, former village mayor and town of North Elba supervisor Roby Politi said he will be looking forward to Mike playing golf and getting that new set of clubs.
“Mike has the mindset to play golf. He’s a guy who is always thinking about the game,” Politi said. “He’s thinking about what he does at ORDA. He’s a guy who is deliberate. He is a guy who is methodical. And he’s a guy who takes his time at everything. He’s a guy who analyzes every situation. He ponders every angle. And he also takes his time doing almost everything he has to do to make the right decisions. The one thing is, I hope he never asks me to play golf, given that angle.”
Before he walked away from the microphone, Politi asked everyone to raise a glass and toast Mike.
“May you look forward to joy and happiness and backwards without regret,” he said. “And may all your joy be pure joy, and may all your pain be shared pain. I congratulate you and thank you for everything you’ve done.”
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The boss
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Whiteface Mountain General Manager Aaron Kellett said Mike would always make sure his staff knew that Whiteface is a ski resort and that’s their core business.
“Mike always talked about success, and when you look at the success of what he’s brung to this organization, it’s tremendous,” he said. “So thank you, Mike, for all you’ve done. Thanks for all you’ve done for me. Every time I’m around him, I learn something from him. A lot of times he’s testing you, and you have to go back and do your homework and come up with the answer. But he always brings out the best in everyone.”
In addition to the focus on the sustainability, fiscal responsibility and the year-round use of ORDA’s facilities, Norfolk noted Mike’s consistent record of stewardship.
“Mike also has a dedicated commitment to the Olympic movement as well as the development of athletes of all abilities,” she said. “As an organization and as a team, these are very intangible achievements by Mike’s leadership that do not have numbers, per se, but worthy of mentioning tonight. … His devotion to his professional life and doing things for the region has been something of an honor to watch.”
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The sunset
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Before riding off into the sunset — which was a brilliant orange and red due to the haze from Canadian wildfires — Mike reflected on his time at ORDA.
“Sometimes you make your own luck,” he said. “But you try to make good decisions. We’ve had a lot of people speak about the last seven years, and some of them about the last 37. But a lot of what made me went back even further.”
Some guests, including North Elba Park District Manager Butch Martin, supervised Mike when he was a 14-year-old employee, and Mike gave them credit for being supportive.
“Some of that attention to detail and focus that was discussed today might not have been evident at that time,” Mike said. “The decisions they made or what they saw in me and the support that they provided me at that time, if they saw I didn’t have the attention span to do what they were asking, they always found something else for me. That allowed me to keep moving forward.”
Mike said he learned a lot from his co-workers over the years.
“I was really fortunate. I got to do what I love my whole career. And it was really the trifecta of iconic venues, the tremendous natural resources and a lot of special people. So thanks, everyone, for coming out tonight.”

State Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt poses with current ORDA board member and former state Sen. Betty Little at his retirement party on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Craig Wood Golf Course. (News photo — Andy Flynn)

Here is one of the cakes served during state Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt’s retirement party on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Craig Wood Golf Course. (News photo — Andy Flynn)

Here are some of the gifts that state Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt received during his retirement party on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Craig Wood Golf Course. (News photo — Andy Flynn)