What drew you to a career in outdoor outfitting, and how did that lead you to Cordillera Ranch?
Everything I do in my free time for fun is what I do for Cordillera Ranch, but now I get to show folks how special and fun these things can be. I now have the chance to spend every day in the outdoors doing a job I love.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
I’ve been granted the freedom to do what I love to do and the ability to teach people in the way that I do. Watching someone do something they’ve never had the opportunity to try and the happiness it can bring them makes me feel like I can make a difference in someone’s day.
What’s your most memorable member or group experience on the Ranch?
Although I’ve had A LOT of extremely fun members and groups with me over the years, I don’t know if I have a favorite. Overall, for me it’s the collection of smiles I’ve seen — the day someone places that perfect group of rounds on a handgun target or the look on a young boy’s face when he smacks a steel plate at 100 yards while getting in practice before his first deer hunt.
How do you tailor experiences for different skill levels or interests?
I generally ask a handful of questions before the shoot to try and gather what skill set the shooter is at. Is this their first time shooting, home defense or just blowing off steam? Once I have that, I can lay out a game plan in my head of how we want to approach it. Normally, it’s just how I present the sport of shooting to them. Humor always goes a long way in making someone feel comfortable, but safety always comes first.
Is there a particular place or moment in nature that has stayed with you?
Absolutely! In the late summer of 2020, I was sitting on the shore of Canyon Ferry Lake Montana, where I had been living off-grid in the mountains for a few months. While I sat that evening eating supper, I watched the most gorgeous sunset I’d ever seen — pinks, reds, oranges with a light breeze and surrounded by mountains. Someone upstairs had painted a pretty picture that day.
Describe your most bizarre or happy life experience thus far?
I’ve had my fair share of bizarre things and experiences that made me smile. I’d have to say it’s a toss-up between living off-grid in the mountains or the small stint I spent skydiving. Both felt like freedom!
What do you do in your free time?
Anything related to the outdoors — fishing, hunting, camping, a lot of kayaking and hiking. I’m perfectly happy sitting in a chair under a tree and watching the world go by.
What is your favorite genre of music?
It’s got to be old country music. If it’s older than me, more than likely I listen to it.
What’s the most embarrassing song or artist in your playlist that you secretly enjoy?
I will unapologetically blare Shania Twain at a stoplight then give you a thumbs up as I speed off.
Who is your hero/mentor, and why?
My grandpa. He taught me so many things and had so many talks with me that I still think about every day. I hope everyone can have a man in their lives that means something to them the way he meant something to me.
What is your favorite meal?
I’m definitely a meat eater so I would have to say a good seared rare steak with salt and grass-fed butter, every time.
What’s on your bucket list?
I suppose you could say I’ve already done it, but I would eventually love to make my way back to the mountains to live in nature.
Anything that would surprise others about yourself?
I really enjoy volunteering. I work with two groups that help combat veterans and first responders get in nature and forgot about the cares of the world. I also volunteer for a group that gets young men into the outdoors to teach them about God’s creation and the peace that nature can bring.
