Director of Ranch Operations

• May 2021 - Present

Facilitating the management of 14 ranches comprising over 1.9 million acres in the western United States. Turner Enterprises, Inc.'s is economic sustainability, environmental sensitivity, and the conservation of native species and habitats.Bison production is a primary tool for managing the landscape and creating economic sustainability.My role is helping define the vision, aligning our decentralized team of managers, and helping them reach our goals in terms of bison production and other economic and environmental outcomes.Marketing, recruiting, training, business analysis, real estate, and oversight of a diversity of operations including bison production, timber, outfitting, and regenerative farming.

Division Manager of Ranches

• Jun 2018 - May 2021

Direct supervision of 6 of 14 Turner Ranches in Montana and Nebraska, encompassing 450,000 acres and approximately 6,000 bison cows.

Member

• Jan 2002 - Jan 2020

Member

• Jan 2000 - Jan 2020

Assistant General Manager

• Jun 2014 - Jun 2018

Vermejo Park Ranch (VPR), owned and managed by Turner Enterprises, Inc., is the largest contiguous privately-owned ranch in North America. VPR is a diversified natural resources, recreation, and bison operation comprising 585,000 acres in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. The Ranch is well-renowned for its fishing, trophy big game hunting, and natural resource and endangered species stewardship.Responsibilities:Reporting to the General Manager, Supervision of all ranch operations and employees (35 Full-time, up to 60 seasonal/part-time). Oversight and Logistics for Special Projects, including Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout reintroduction, capital projectsService as Interim Maintenance Division Manager and Interim Bison Division Manager during transitions after retirements of outgoing Division Managers Support and oversight of five Divisions and their Managers: Bison, Natural Resources (Energy, Forestry, Wildlife/Hunting, Fisheries), Maintenance, Hospitality, and Heavy Equipment Contract management for grazing leases, land leases, and many capital and maintenance projects On-site administrative functions including planning, budgeting, and communications, staff hiring and management, contract management, purchasing, and record keeping. Legal compliance regarding water rights, agricultural tax classification, and permitting related to operations (septic permits, community water systems, etc.).Accomplishments:3-year renovation of Casa Grande, the ranch founder's original residence, built in 1907-1909. Casa Grande is now open as a luxury accommodation for adventure travelers. Implementation of new fire suppression system for Vermejo Park Ranch headquarters Strategic Planning Support of Ted Turner Expeditions, which operates nature tourism on three New Mexico Turner Properties, including Vermejo Park Ranch

Board Member

• Aug 2012 - Dec 2016

Planning Commissioner

• Aug 2013 - Jul 2014

Ranch Manager

• Jul 2012 - Jul 2014

Banded Peak Ranch is a 17,000-acre ranch encompassing the headwaters of the Navajo River valley, south of Pagosa Springs, CO. The Ranch Owners are committed to conservation and improving the health of the ranch ecosystem for wildlife, livestock, and their personal enjoyment.Banded Peak Ranch is a wildlife haven, and an important migration corridor for elk and mule deer, and turkey. Approximately 3,000-4,000 elk spend each spring through fall on the ranch. The Ranch has participated in wildlife restoration efforts, including the reestablishment of native Rio Grande cutthroat trout in the upper Navajo Watershed. Primary ranch activities include forest management to enhance wildlife habitat, restore ecosystem structure and function and reduce the risk of catastrophic fire; pasture management, big game outfitting, and various land conservation activities.ResponsibilitiesSupervision of all ranch operations, infrastructure, and employees (1 Full-time, up to 5 seasonal/part-time).Management of owner's facilities and recreational assets (1 residence, 1 lodge, 3 cabins)Planning and implementation of forestry, fire, roads, irrigation, grazing, noxious weeds, hay production, wildlife management, construction management and special projects.On-site management of commercial elk and deer hunting operation.On-site administrative functions including planning, budgeting and communications, staff hiring and management, contract management, purchasing, and record keeping.Legal compliance regarding water rights, agricultural tax classification, and permitting related to operations.AccomplishmentsImprovement of irrigation infrastructure, refurbishment of two shop buildings, optimization of ranch staff structure, restructure of vehicle & equipment inventory for efficiency and reduced maintenanceSuccessful overhaul of hunting operations to increase client satisfaction and net income

Enviropreneur Camp Participant

• Jun 2012 - Jun 2012

PERC’s Enviropreneur™ Institute, formerly known as the Kinship Conservation Institute, is the embodiment of a vision to bring management principles, economics, property rights, and markets to the environmental movement.The Institute is a two-week program based in Bozeman, MT, which brings together enviropreneuers to learn, refine ideas about solving environmental challenges through market principles.What exactly is an enviropreneur? It is an entrepreneur who makes environmental assets out of environmental problems. An enviropreneur sees an opportunity where others see waste. An enviropreneur sees a chance to do well while doing good.

Bass Fellow

• Jul 2010 - Jun 2012

KRIRM aspires to be a focal point for the training of graduate students in a unique and multi-disciplinary, systems approach to ranch management. Students learn how to successfully manage ranches, and also learn how to progressively think their way through to success and innovation for the industry. KRIRM aspires to be a focal point for the training of graduate students in a unique and multi-disciplinary, systems approach to ranch management. Students learn how to successfully manage ranches, and also learn how to progressively think their way through to success and innovation for the industry.

Graduate Assistant

• Jul 2010 - Jun 2012

Board Member

• Jan 2008 - Jun 2010

This committee advises the USDA Forest Service on the use and expenditure of Secure Rural Schools project funds. This committee advises the USDA Forest Service on the use and expenditure of Secure Rural Schools project funds.

Operations Director

• Apr 2004 - May 2007

Sun Ranch is a 25,000-acre wildlife/livestock operation in Montana's Upper Madison Valley. The ranch lies in migration routes for elk, deer, & pronghorn, and is home to predators such as wolves & grizzly bears. Sun Ranch ran yearling cattle and pairs seasonally, while measurably improving the health of its rangelands. Guests came to the Sun Ranch from the adjacent Papoose Creek Lodge to view wildlife and to learn about ranching and conservation.ResponsibilitiesRecruiting and Training up to 4 seasonal employees in Livestock, Weeds, & Predator Deterrence rolesManagement of all aspects of a seasonal grazing operation Maintenance of ranch roads, facilities, and equipmentManagement of grazing customers and federal grazing permitsDesign and construction of new fences and waterlinesWriting and managing grant with RMEF and USDA EQuIPAccomplishmentsIncreased stocking rate 50% under my tenureMaintained death loss at 1% or less in the presence of predatorsModification of 5 miles of fence for lower maintenance, better livestock control, and less wildlife impactDevelopment and execution of weed management program Investigation and writing of an outside ranch assessment through Sun Ranch's consulting branch

Ranch Management Trainee/Guest Operations Manager

• Oct 1999 - Nov 2002

An intensive three-year ranch management training program under Duke Phillips on this 87,000-acre ranch, which produces income from livestock, recreation, art, education, conservation, & land restoration. I was responsible for half the ranch’s cattle and for initiating and managing the recreation enterprises. I designed programs and talked with groups on and off the ranch, describing the ranch’s goals & operations, and managed grazing can create healthier rangelands and human communities. An intensive three-year ranch management training program under Duke Phillips on this 87,000-acre ranch, which produces income from livestock, recreation, art, education, conservation, & land restoration. I was responsible for half the ranch’s cattle and for initiating and managing the recreation enterprises. I designed programs and talked with groups on and off the ranch, describing the ranch’s goals & operations, and managed grazing can create healthier rangelands and human communities.

Extension Forester (Seasonal Position)

• May 1999 - Oct 1999

Provided forest management assistance to landowners upon request. Advised with insect, disease, and management practices, especially Mountain Pine Beetle mitigation. Performed prescribed burns in Ponderosa pine.

Forest Management Division Student Assistant

• Aug 1998 - May 1999

Assisted the Forest Management Division in completing a survey of Forest Product & Services business. Updated CSFS' database of forested State lands.