Will

Nicole

Erik Meet the team behind Epic!

Will Thomas – Founder and Executive Director

Will is the founder and president of Willpower Enterprises, LLC, a cutting-edge marketing and production company with holdings in a number of industries related to mass-participatory sports. Willpower Enterprises represents the next-generation of the consumer experience – one that seamlessly fuses brands, communities, sustainability, charities, and culture in effective and exciting ways through sports and entertainment. Properties include: Tri-Maine Productions, Urban Epic, Mountain Epic, Warehouse Creative, Wine Flight, My Race World, LLC, The Lobsterman Triathlon, Buoy Line Apparel, and Epic Apparel.

Will has an extensive background in event management that has spanned over 7 years and 50+ races. An entrepreneur at heart, Will’s career began when he organized the first PolarBear Triathlon as a senior at Bowdoin College in 2003. Under his direction, the PolarBear has grown from a grass-roots race of 75 participants to a highly complex event with over 550 athletes, 150 volunteers and two races happening simultaneously. Will graduated from Bowdoin with a double major in Government and Religion and a minor in Economics and entered the world of professional race management age 23. Since then, he has been the director of many races throughout the Northeast, including:

The Lobsterman Triathlon – Freeport, ME (2003-2009)
The Zone Urban Epic Triathlon – Portland, ME (2007-2009)
The PolarBear Tri/Duathlon – Brunswick, ME (2003-2009)
The Men’s Health Urbanathlon (Venue manager) – New York, NY (2006)
The Pirate Tri at Point Sebago Resort – Casco, ME (2009)
The Pineland Farms Winter Triathlon – New Glouster, ME (2009)
The Belgrade Lakes Triathlon – Belgrade, ME (2008)
The Scarborough Triathlon – Scarborough, ME (2008)
The Rangeley Oquossoc Mountain Pursuit – Rangeley, ME (2008-2009)
The Tri For A Cure – South Portland, ME (2008-2009)
The Bath Y-Tri – Bath, ME (2008-2009)
The CELT Challenge – Cape Elizabeth, ME (2005-2009)
The WildBear Triathlon – Poland, ME (2006-2007)
The Shipbuilders Triathlon – Bath, ME (2005-2007)
The Fireman Triathlon – Kennebunk, ME (2004-2005)
PolarBear 5k – Portland, ME  (2009)
Wine Flight 5k – Portland, ME (2008-2009)
Mountain Epic Trail Race – Sunday River, ME (2008-2009)
The Save our Swinging Bridge 5k – Topsham, ME (2004-2005)

Other current large-scale projects include Urban Epic Boston Triathlon, the Mayor’s Cup Boston Crit Race, and Mountain Epic Sugarloaf/Sunday River.

Beyond race directing, Will has been a swim, triathlon, track, and cross-country coach, a teacher, and a marketing account executive, as well as helped launch a retail enterprise in 2003. An avid triathlete, he has competed in over 60 multisport events, including Ironman Lake Placid in 2005, and typically places near the top of the field. He is on the board of directors of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, and on the Executive Committee of PROPEL, the young members organization of the Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized by MaineBiz in 2007 as one of 10 people helping to shape the future of Maine’s economy. In the off-season, Will enjoys telemark skiing and launching new companies. He splits whatever time he has leftover between surfing, cycling, drinking coffee, debating politics, reading the news, and traveling.

Nicole Pisani – Events

Nicole joined Willpower Enterprises in February of 2007, from an adventure-based retail background. She brings a wide range of talents and skills to the company that stem from her extensive athletic experience and her time at Keene State University, where she graduated with a degree in Health Sciences. Nicole decided to move away from her Connecticut roots to explore Portland and the multisport lifestyle Tri-Maine strives for.

During her time at WiIlpower Enterprises, Nicole has focused on developing the operations and logstics of the events. She has helped to orchestrate some of the most complicated races imaginable, smiling the entire time! She has consulted to many high-profile events and manages communications on race day at all of Tri-Maine’s events.

In the winter, Nicole enjoys shredding powder at one of the mammoth Maine ski resorts, while surfing the towering waves during the summer months. To fuel her competetive spirit, Nicole mountain bikes regularly and runs with fellow athletes but still has time to relax by reading and cooking.

Erik Boucher – Operations

With a strong background in the road running community, Erik brings extensive on-the-ground race management experience to Willpower Enterprises. He has helped to organize the Maine Marathon, the Beach to Beacon 10k, the Pineland Farms Trail Challenge, and numerous other races. He is on the board for the Maine Track Club and a member of the organizing committee for the Beach to Beacon 10k. When he isn’t working, Erik enjoys trail running (he has completed multiple Ultra-distance events), working on his house, and playing with his energetic dog. Erik’s areas of focus at Willpower include Mountain Epic, the Winter Tri, and infrastructure management.

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