Russell True
White Stallion Ranch , Arizona I picked my parents very well as they bought our ranch The White Stallion when I was 5 years old and I have never had another job. Now I have the high privilege of raising our two sons, Steven and David on the ranch where I grew up. I am currently the President of The Dude Ranchers' Association.
Randy George
Latigo Ranch, Colorado Randy George and his wife Lisa have 3 children, David, Spencer, and Hannah. They have been co-owners and operators of Latigo Ranch in Kremmling, Colorado with Jim & Kathie Yost since 1987. Randy was the general manager of the C Lazy U Ranch, Granby, CO from 1981-1987. Randy has been in the West for over 35 years, and involved in dude ranching for over 25 years. This was not always the case. He grew up in New Jersey, and graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder where he received a BS in chemical engineering and later an MBA. Randy is not new to recreationally oriented trade associations. He has served on the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Assoc. board of directors for many years serving as President of the CDGRA in 1992. In addition, he was instrumental in the founding of the Colorado Cross Country Ski Association about 22 years ago, and has also been on the board of the Cross Country Ski Areas of America. Randy served as the DRA Treasurer for 3 years, and is currently the Vice President.
Doug Hare
I started my ranching career early on as a young guest at Elkhorn, MT. A number of years and many summer season later I started working for Elkhorn Ranch after graduating from Knox College, Galesburg, IL. Like most out of college my career path was not set, the winter months were filled with cooking at Lone Mountain Ranch in MT. This led to another direction; I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York and returned to Montana to work in the culinary field. I returned to Lone Mountain Ranch and was the Food and Beverage Director. After that I opened up my own restaurant in Manhattan MT. This was a great eye opener for me to realize that the hospitality industry was fantastic, but I was missing something. The return to dude ranching came with the opportunity to work at the Red Rock Ranch as the manager for the MacKenzie family owned ranch. Here with my wonderful wife Addie and our two children Ellory and Paedon we have found our “home,” we are a part of the Red Rock Ranch family and a dedicated part of the larger family of dude ranchers.
Mark Cardall
T Cross Ranch, Wyoming. I grew up as a teamster, working cattle, and outfitting. Big game trophy hunting has been a passion; chasing cats, deer and elk, oh and my favorite- bears. I have run mustangs. I have ridden the mountain ranges of (Idaho)White Clouds, Salmon River, Caribou, Sawtooth, Camas,(Colorado) San Juan, Sango Cristo Wilderness, (Utah)Wasatch, Fish Lake, Boulder, Manti-La Sal, Uintah, Ouray, Deep Creek, Grouse Creek, Promontory,(Montana) Cabinet, Gallatin, Gravely, Mineral, Beaverhead, (Nevada) Humboldt, Diamonds, Ruby, Pequop, Jarbridge, (Wyoming) Salt River, Wyoming Range, Bridger-Teton, Teton Wilderness, Head Waters of the Yellowstone, Head Waters of the Snake, Wind Rivers, Medicine Bow, Absaroka, Hoback, Gros Venture, (Alaska) Mentasta, Head waters of the Tetlin River, Chichagof, Yakobi, and Tongass. No BS degree here.
I married at 38, the best loop I ever threw, and have since had 2 children, Kameron and Ethan. My life is full. The demands are plenty, but I am grateful.
Jerry (J.T) Taylor
My wife Debi and I purchased the Covered Wagon Ranch in the spring of 2005. We have quickly developed a love and passion for our little historic ranch in the Gallatin Canyon north of Yellowstone; and the enrichment the guest ranching industry provides to our clientele. In my previous life I owned and operated an architectural firm in Bozeman for over 20 years serving clients over a four state region. Since I had ridden the trails surrounding the ranch for over 30 years prior to its sale, I enthusiastically traded my desk, computer, and the stresses of deadlines for this lifestyle of days in the saddle and treating people to the serenity of the mountains. I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve on the DRA Board, and look forward to working with the members of this association.
Ted Mikita
Ted E. Mikita, Jr. is a second-generation owner of the Laughing Water Ranch in northwest Montana. Born in Oak Park, IL, he moved to Montana when his parents purchased the Ranch in 1972 and lived there with his 7 brothers and sisters. After high school Ted attended Annapolis, attaining a BS in Electrical Engineering, being commissioned as an officer and then becoming a naval aviator. In 1987 Ted helped to startup the guest ranch, and flew in the Naval Reserve while becoming a pilot with Northwest Airlines. He currently splits his time between his international flight schedule and the Ranch where he lives with his wife Lacretia and daughter Tallulah.
John Fisher
The Home Ranch, Colorado I’ve been in the dude ranch business since 1968. It’s been very good to me. I raised two children on the ranch and get to work with my family – not always a positive. My fellow dude ranchers are competitors and yet among my best friends. We have camaraderie. Serving on the board of the DRA is an honor and is something I take quite seriously. Whether you are a fellow rancher or prospective guest or employee, I would be glad to answer your questions regarding dude ranching.
David Van Berkum
I am from Iowa but I have been involved with dude ranches since 1988, when I was fortunate enough to get hired on at the 63 Ranch. After five tremendous years there, and the dude ranch bug firmly planted, my family bought the RTR in southern Colorado. I am very blessed to be able to work with my parents, Doug and Linda. I am married to a very shy woman, Jane, and we have three great children: Mary-Anne is 12, Caroline is 10 and Derek (aka Snuff) is 8. I look forward to representing the DRA as a delegate from CO. Jane and I are also the representatives for the DRA-AQHA Alliance. We raise and train our own quarter horses and we love to team rope.
April Beckley
Three Bars Cattle & Guest Ranch, Cranbrook BC Besides managing the guest operations at the ranch, in my not so spare time I ride and compete in Reining Horse competitions. My Husband Jeff and one son Jesse are both professional reining horse trainers and we have a show barn of about 24 horses. Other son Tyler is involved in the guest ranch with us and the whole family are all back at the ranch with us. I was raised in the guest and dude ranch industry my parents Lloyd and Rowena Jones were the owner operators of Bar BQ Ranch in Harrison Idaho - part of the ranch is currently red horse mountain - after that our family corporation purchased a new ranch in BC and we built Top of the world ranch in fort Steele where my husband and I ran the ranch. In 1982 we branched out purchased the current three bars ranch and built the ranch we now live on and run.
Cheri Amos- Helmicki
Bar Lazy J Ranch, Colorado My husband Jerry and I own and operate the Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch in Grandby Colorado. Our ranch is defined by its rich history and the owners that have helped develop its personality. The ranch has been in operation since 1912. We feel like custodians of a little piece of history that has touched the lives of many people. I have served on the board since 1998. We continue to progress as an organization and have much to be proud of. What a fun adventure!
Colleen Hodson
The Dude Ranchers' Association - Cody, Wyoming Along with being Executive Director of The Dude Ranchers' Association I am the Authorized Agent of The Dude Ranchers' Educational Trust. I have worked for the assocition for 8 years. I love the dude ranch industry and feel it is extremely important to protect and preserve its heritage. If you have any questions please, do not hesitate to contact me.
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