US Biathlon Board names Max Cobb President and CEO

Wed, Aug  25, 2010 - By US Biathlon Association

NEW GLOUCESTER, Maine -  US Biathlon Team chairman, Larry Pugh announced that Max Cobb has been named President and CEO of the Team.  “We wanted to acknowledge the enormous contributions Max has made to biathlon in his over 20 years working for our sport,” said Pugh. “We believe Max is one of the most talented leaders within the US Olympic movement and this new title reflects that.”

Cobb joined the US Biathlon Association in 1989 as the head of the domestic race series after being an active club competitor during his college years at Dartmouth. In 1990 he was named Assistant Coach and Manager of the National Team. His vision, collaborative style and commitment to excellence led to continued advancement as Program Director in 1994 and Executive Director in 2006. 

Cobb has been a part of every Olympic Games since 1992 when he marched in the Albertville opening ceremony with the US Biathlon Team.  “That was the moment when I saw clearly what a tremendous honor it is to work in the Olympic movement,” Cobb said reflecting on what has kept him with US Biathlon for over two decades.  Ten years later Cobb was the competition chief for the biathlon events at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, responsible for all the technical details of running the competitions.  “It was such a wonderful feeling to host the Games, and through the most sincere effort of over 300 volunteers, to be able to give back to the athletes and to a movement that does so much to bring the world together.”

Upon arrival in Vancouver for the Games, every member of Team USA participated in the USOC’s Olympic Ambassador orientation program and Cobb’s reflections on the Games were featured in the briefing package: 

We win, not when an American stands on the podium at the Olympic Games, but when that victory is predicated on integrity and resonates within our society. When it reminds us all, young and old, that the realm of the possible waits for us just beyond the horizon.

We win when the friendships and performances and even victories of other teams let us see the world in a different light.  That is the promise of the Olympic Games and it is what defines the movement's iconic place in our society. It is what ignites passion and inspires our youth to win.

Under Cobb’s leadership the US Biathlon Team emerged as one of the top programs in the world this winter when American Tim Burke wore the yellow bib as the world’s top ranked biathlete. Four years ago Cobb put together a world-class staff, forged a solid partnership with the US Olympic Committee and earned the trust and respect of the International Biathlon Union and corporate partners.  “We are blessed with a wonderful team of athletes, coaches, staff and supporters,” said Cobb.  “It is having the sustained support needed for the well planned, coordinated and focused work of each of us that has brought us success.”