MOUNT WASHINGTON, New Hampshire ??” Scot Henley, formerly Marketing Director for Purity Spring Resort, has been hired by the Mount Washington Observatory as its new, permanent executive officer. Henley comes to the Observatory from Purity Spring Resort in East Madison, New Hampshire, where he has served as the director of marketing since 2003. He was responsible for the advertising, marketing and public relations for the Hoyt family’s group of businesses, which include King Pine Ski Area, Danforth Bay Camping Resort, Sweet Woodruffs Garden Center and Purity Spring Resort.

Prior to Purity Spring Resort, Henley served as the Mount Washington Observatory’s marketing manager. Scot was instrumental in the creation of the Observatory’s biggest annual fundraising event, the “Seek the Peak” hike-a-thon, which will celebrate its 6th year this July. He also led the organization’s public relations campaign and fundraising efforts after the 2003 summit fire that destroyed Mt. Washington State Park’s power generation facility.

Long-time trustee, Phil Gravink has served as interim director since Will Abbott stepped down from the position in January to take a position at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests as its Vice President for Policy and Land Management

Gravink said, “Over the last five months I have come to have a new appreciation of the uniqueness and complexities of the Mount Washington Observatory organization. It takes a talented and diverse staff to achieve our mission and that requires the right leader. Having known and worked with Scot in the past I know that his talents, enthusiasm and high energy level make him a great choice for this position.”

Observatory Board of Trustees President Ken Jones commented. “it’s a pleasure to welcome Scot back to the Observatory. In recent years, the Observatory has moved into the front ranks of atmospheric science and education. Scot will be a key player in developing the support necessary to continue this progress.”

“On a personal level,” said Henley, “it’s really an honor to be appointed to what I consider to be one of the most unique and exciting positions in northern New England. The Observatory has always been a special place to me and I am delighted to be going back to lead an extremely talented staff and serve its 4,000 members, Henley said. “Professionally, it’s going to be an immense challenge, one that I am eager to take on. My predecessors, Will Abbott and, most recently, Phil Gravink, have the organization headed in a very positive direction. With the support of the Observatory’s dynamic Board of Trustees, I hope to continue their work in moving the Observatory forward,” he concluded.

Henley lives in East Madison, New Hampshire with his wife Michelle, and their two sons Owen and Cabot.

The Mount Washington Observatory is a public, non-profit organization, which since 1932 has operated the year-round weather station atop Mount Washington. The Observatory maintains an active program of scientific research and educational activities, including the Weather Discovery Center museum in North Conway and winter and summer trips to Mount Washington. For more information contact the Observatory by mail at PO Box 2310, North Conway NH 03860; by phone at 800-706-0432; or visit the Observatory on-line at www.mountwashington.org.