Race Director Nordman hired as Iditarod's Interim CEO

Mark Nordman at the Iditarod Picnic. June 2026.

The Iditarod Trail Committee announced on Wednesday that they had hired an interim CEO as they continue their search for the next leader of the Last Great Race. Current CEO Rob Urbach announced in June that he was stepping down as CEO after seven years of service to the race. Stepping into the role to fill the gap between Urbach's departure and the ITC finding a permanent CEO is current Race Director Mark Nordman.

Nordman has been a part of the race in some capacity for five decades. Mark's rookie Iditarod was in 1983, the rookie musher placed 43rd out of 68 teams that started (54 of which finished). He would run the Iditarod five times total, with four finishes. His best placement was 32nd in 1993. His total winnings, according to Iditarod.com, was $1000. When he wasn't racing he was a race judge, until he was given the role of Race Marshal which he has held for most of the 2000s.

In 2024 Mark Nordman came off the trail as marshall to become Race Director. Nordman oversees the entire race operation. He has years of experience and knowledge of the race, the communities (as well as many connections), and has a great rapport with mushers and volunteers (something some said has been lacking in the last few years).

“Mark knows the Iditarod from the inside out,” said Mike Mills, Chair of the Iditarod Trail Committee Board of Directors. “His decades of experience across nearly every facet of the organization, combined with the trust and respect he has earned throughout Alaska and beyond, make him the right person to lead the Iditarod during this transition.”

Fans, volunteers, and mushers alike commented on the announcement on Iditarod's social media post of the announcement. Hearty congratulations came in by the dozens on the Facebook post. Volunteers and fans began commenting how excited they were, some saying they felt more positive about the race than they had in years.

Four-time Iditarod Champion Jeff King wrote "Fabulous choice. A giant among Iditarod greats." Iditarod veteran and former Race Judge Karen Ramstead wrote, "absolutely the right choice." Many others chimed in with similar thoughts.

“The Iditarod has been the center of my adult life since 1983,” Nordman said. “I’m honored that the Board has placed this trust in me, and I’m committed to keeping the organization moving forward while we find the right long-term leader.”

Mark officially steps into the role on September 15. Rob Urbach will officially will step down and focus on the project he started at CEO, DOGZ - "a multifaceted ecosystem for canine content, events, products, and services." DOGZ oversees DockDogs, as well as the partnership with BarkTV among other things. 

The ITC Board will continue to look for a permanent CEO but, according to Mills, they are confident that The Iditarod is in "experienced and capable hands."

Thoughts on this announcement? What do you hope happens while Nordman is in charge? Comment below!

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