SOUTH PARIS — The Boy Scouts of America will gather on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Tuscanny Hall, to honor Maine businessman Les Otten with the Spirit of Dirigo Award for his contributions to the economy, environment and for reflecting the pioneer spirit of Maine.

Otten graduated from Ithaca College School of Business in 1971 and began working in the ski resort industry. In 1980, he purchased Sunday River and established his company LBO Resort Enterprises acquiring several additional resorts. In 1996, American Skiing Company was launched and became one of the largest operators of alpine ski, snowboard and golf resorts in the United States. Its resorts included Sunday River, Sugarloaf/USA and many other ski resorts. 

Since resigning as CEO of American Skiing Company in 2001, Otten has been involved in other business enterprises including a group of investors that purchased Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox in 2002. For the next five years, Otten was vice chairman and a partner in that ownership group. In 2004, the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series Championship since 1918 with Otten as an owner of the franchise.

Otten is currently board chairman for The Jeremiah Cromwell Disabilities Center. He started a new company, Maine Energy Systems, in May 2008.

For event information, contact Pine Tree Council, Abnaki District Executive Scott Verrill at 592-8077 or [email protected].