STOWE, VT (BRAIN) — Jack Nash, a veteran of the industry with more than 40 years of experience in the bike business, died Saturday from an apparent heart attack suffered during a ride in his home state of Vermont. He was 67.
Nash most recently was an account executive at Giant, which he joined last year. Before that, he spent eight years at Specialized as a territory manager. He had also worked for GT and Louis Garneau.
From 1974 to 1991, Nash owned and operated multi-sport business Onion River Sports, in Montpelier, Vermont. He also sponsored, led and raced for one of the first U.S.-based Shimano teams, the Stowe-Shimano road team.
“Jack took friendship and family very seriously. Once you were his friend it was for life—right or wrong, friends are friends and you never give that up,” said Carmichael Training Systems’ Chris Carmichael, a longtime friend of Nash who raced on the Stowe-Shimano team. “That was an important lesson he taught me, and I teach my athletes the same fundamental principles I learned from Jack. He was as an excellent coach and I often draw upon his words of wisdom as I speak to my athletes.”
Giant USA executive sales director John “JT” Thompson, who also worked with Nash at Specialized, said: “I’ve worked with many a rep over the years. Jack was more. He was a man of true honor, professionalism, integrity. His work ethic was to be admired, I was proud to call him a friend. He loved the business, the people, the product and the ride.
“It’s not often we get the opportunity to work with people we admire and respect to the highest level. I’m better for the time I spent with Jack; he touched my soul.”
Nash is survived by his wife, Barb, and their daughter, Laura.
