Colorado Luxury Ranch Resort | Vista Verde Ranch

Ben Martin

General Manager
Wilderness First Responder
Hometown: Terre Hill, PA

This is Ben’s 18th year at the helm of Vista Verde Ranch, where he oversees ranch operations and keeps the staff focused on the VVR ethos of servant leadership and life change. When he is not at the ranch working, as he says, “with the best folks a guy could ever ask for,” Ben enjoys time at home with his wife of 25 years, Holly. These days, they are empty nesters, with one kid in college and three fully launched. That is, if you don’t count the recent addition of Murphy, the Goldendoodle pup and his trusty big (but tiny) sister Hazel, who occasionally steps in as office assistant. Ben loves his Philadelphia sports teams, listening to and playing music, coaching track and field at Steamboat Springs High School, and playing on the North Routt softball team. Fun Fact: He’s the youngest of 49 grandkids.

Jason Sample

Assistant General Manager/Director of Human Resources
First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified
Hometown: Terre Haute, IN

Jason graduated from Scott College of Business at Indiana State University in 2015. Then he spent several years working as a financial advisor in his home town of Terre Haute. He grew up driving horses for his family’s carriage business and brought his expertise back to the ranch in 2022 along with our newest team of Percherons. Jason worked at VVR 10 years ago as a seasonal employee where he met his future wife, Lauren, and we are so lucky to have him and his infectious smile back at the ranch in a leadership role. In his free time Jason enjoys snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and just got a pair of ATV’s for some off-road adventures this summer!

Mandy Anzalone

Director of Training and Development/Youth Program Manager
First Aid, CPR, and WAFA Certified
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO

Mandy got her start at VVR 20+ years ago as a wrangler after graduating from college. She spent a couple of summers with the horses before moving to Steamboat, where she met her husband, enjoyed being a middle school special education teacher, became a mom to two awesome kids, dogs, cats and fish. The love for the ranch and the Zirkel wilderness never left her, so when the family moved to Clark 7 years ago, all of the pieces fell into place for her return to VVR. Utilizing her background in education and a passion for kids and horses, she jumped into managing the youth program. More recently she became our Director of Training and Development, to ensure our staff members are receiving all of the tools they need to be prepared for their roles here at the ranch and beyond. On her time off, she enjoys watching her son play hockey, her daughter immerse herself in art projects, and spending time with her family outdoors.

Phil Brinkley

Assistant General Manager/Director of Finance
CPR & First Aid Certified
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

Phil spent 30 years in the corporate world as an electrical engineer before joining VVR last year as our Director of Finance. He loves to tell about how something he designed is on Mars… deeply embedded in Mars because it crashed there. It’s not all that reassuring to know that our finances are in the hands of a failed “rocket scientist”, but we’re happy to have him on the team anyway. Phil is married to Sara Brinkley, our massage therapist, and the two of them live very cozily with their dog near Sand Mountain in a small homesteader’s cabin that they restored. They have two kids who are now married and living abroad in Spain and Australia. If you’re lucky, you might find him hosting a mean game of poker.

Mette Rousseau

Human Resources, Staff Relations & Development Manager
Wilderness First Responder
Hometown: Bellingham, WA

Mette is responsible for hiring all the amazing staff our guests will get to meet! When she’s not interviewing potential staff, she’s pouring into the community and culture of VVR. This is Mette’s 8th season at the ranch, and she loves getting outdoors and still finds time to put on her guide pack for ski or fly fishing trips with guests. Mette was born and raised in the beautiful PNW and moved out to VVR after living in British Columbia where she managed a sea kayaking operation and mountain guided for a wilderness ministry. She heard about Vista Verde while backpacking in New Zealand, where she met a former Vista staff member, and is always planning that next adventure!

Devyn Cordes

Director of Sales & Marketing, Yoga Instructor
CPR & First Aid Certified
Hometown: Superior/Westminster, CO

This is Devyn’s 10th year at VVR. In grade school she was constantly reprimanded for too much chit-chat and now she gets paid to talk to people! Devyn has two different yoga certifications and loves to teach yoga, both on ranch and in Steamboat. She is a Colorado native who spends her winters skiing and summers hiking and fishing – most recently with her new four-legged sidekick, Routty. A graduate of Boston Conservatory, Devyn sings in our house band (quite the treat on ranch music nights), and has been known to beautifully deliver the “Star-Spangled Banner” at local events.

Nate Margason

Safety Manager
CMC EMT Program, Wilderness First Responder
Hometown: Elgin, TX

Nate is officially our Safety Manager, but that is just the start of what he does at the ranch! When not fixing fences or overseeing our fleet of hot tubs and snowmobiles…or guiding… or wrangling, he finds time to pursue his hobbies that include hiking, playing softball, curling and dancing. Nate really enjoys playing on Vista Verde’s intramural softball team during the summer and volleyball during the winter. For his first job, Nate was involved in restoring a 1939 Cadillac LaSalle. He is a volunteer with North Routt Fire Department as an EMT and Firefighter Type 2. Finally, Nate married our own lovely Melissa in October 2016 in VVR’s Great Room and they’ve more recently settled into a lovely home they’ve spruced up just across the road on the Elk River.

Roxy Kestner

Reservations Coordinator
CPR & First Aid Certified
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Roxy first came to Vista Verde starting in 1997 then left at the turn of the millennium to finish school and pursue a teaching career in Philadelphia. Many moons later she learned that the greener pastures are still right here, and spent the summer of 2018 with us before taking a Peace Corps assignment in Uganda, which was cut short by the pandemic. She then returned here in 2021 and has since stepped into a long-term role heading up our reservations. When not in the office, you’ll find her communing with hummingbirds or dipping her toes in a babbling brook.

Sara Brinkley

Licensed Massage Therapist & Store Manager

CPR Certified

Hometown: Clark, CO

Sara lives in Clark with her husband Phil, our Financial Controller. She is passionate about caring for others and found her calling as a talented massage therapist. More recently, she took charge of Fancy’s Mercantile and we have her to thank for all the fantastic items we peddle in our shop. Prior to working with our guests, she was the Aquatics Coordinator at an Athletic Club. When Sara’s not here easing sore muscles or tidying up in the shop, she’s home taking care of her and Phil’s tiny farm, complete with goats and Wilson the dog. Fun fact: her stepdaughter lives in Mallorca and is married to a Spaniard, and her stepson is married to an Australian, and living Down Under!

Calle Wynn

Guest Experience Coordinator

Hometown: Austin, TX

Calle graduated last year from the University of Texas at Austin (Go Longhorns!) with a degree in Communications. This is her third season at the ranch, after surviving her first Colorado winter with 300+ inches of snow! She loves hiking, spending time with her family back in Texas, and getting out to explore all the Steamboat area has to offer!

Kiara Anderson

Front Desk

Hometown: Rice Lake, WI

Kiara just graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, with a Marketing and Professional Sales degree. After spending many summer ranch vacations with her family at other guest ranches, she’s now excited to live and work on one! Kiara enjoys figure skating, skiing, and traveling, but if you catch her out of the office this summer, it’ll probably be at the barn, as she’s an avid rider.

Bill Backer

Facilities Manager

Hometown: Clark, CO

Bill came to Vista Verde in the early 90’s and recently celebrated his 30th anniversary at the ranch! Originally from Kansas, He’s our go-to guy for all things in need of repair, replacement or general rethinking! He knows more history about VVR than anyone else around, and has overseen many of the changes and upgrades that make the ranch what it is today. A master wood-worker, don’t be surprised if he’s the one who built the beds and benches in your cabin. When he’s not busy keeping the ranch buildings in tip-top shape, he’s at his local homestead here in Clark, working on old cars, or remodeling his own kitchen. (Did we mention he likes to fix stuff?)

Ranch Hands

Ranch Hand, Luxury Guest Ranch, Cross-country ski trails.

Michael Kristensen

Fleet Manager & Head Groomer
Hometown: Denmark

Michael got his start at VVR back in the winter of 2017/18 as a ranch hand when he joined his new wife Becca, after meeting her on a hiking trip through Patagonia. After several years at the ranch, they headed back to Denmark for a spell in 2021 then found their way back to Clark in 2022 where Michael headed up operations at our new sister property, Steamboat Lake Outpost. Now he’s back on the VVR crew taking care of our fleet of vehicles and equipment and keeping the ski trails in top shape through the winter. And Becca is taking charge of their three girls: Clara, Elsa and Alma. Fun fact: Michael served for 7 years on Arctic Command in Greenland, for the Danish military.

River Shindledecker

Ranch Hand Manager
Hometown: Clarksburg, PA

River is a graduate of Wheaton College where he received his B.A. in Christian Formation and Ministry. He previously worked as a youth minister for a church in North Apollo, PA. Now, he manages our wonderful ranch hands and oversees many of our day to day ranch projects, from fences to forklifts. River values his faith, hard work, and loving others. We are so lucky to have River and his wife, Hannah as part of our Vista Verde family for their second year!

Jack Rose

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Portland, OR

Jack joins us for his first season at the ranch after graduating from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, with a degree in Business Management. Originally from the PNW, he’s excited to explore Colorado and meet new people while he’s here! When he’s not mending fences, you’ll find him fishing, hiking, or maybe a tennis or basketball game. Fun fact: he got his name after his parents watched Titanic while they were awaiting his arrival. Ask him about his mean yo-yo skills!

Chris Emery

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

Chris is a graduate of Kentucky State University where he played Division 2 golf. He’s also a United States Marine Corp Veteran who served multiple tours in Iraq, before moving to Steamboat Springs where he previously worked at F.M.Light & Sons (you’ll notice he’s always in the sharpest duds) and volunteered with the Warhorse Ranch where some previous VVR horses now live. Now he’s a Clark local and enjoys ice fishing, snowboarding, and pretty much anything outdoors. We’re so happy to have him back for his second season at the ranch!

Joe Birchard

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Chicago, IL

Joe joins us for his first season (as a staff member) after finishing up his degree in Engineering Management from Miami University. He spent his last four summers in Chicago working as an installer for Chicago Marine Canvas. Now, after many family vacations at the ranch, he’s spending his summer with us and he’s excited to be a part of the VVR team. And we are excited to have him! When he’s not ranch handing, he enjoys exercising, horseback riding, skiing and hanging out with friends and family.

Michael VanDenBerg

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Aurora, CO

Michael went to school in Spokane, WA where he earned a degree in International Business while also competing in soccer and track and field. Upon graduating, He moved back to work full-time at his family’s landscaping company in Denver, CO. After becoming a partial owner, Michael and his family decided to sell the company. He then took time off to travel the world before moving up to Steamboat Springs in October of 2022. He loves being outside, working with his hands, and helping people in any way he can, which makes him a great fit for a first-season ranch hand!

Noah Jones

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Wheaton, IL

Noah joins us back at the ranch this summer, now with his wife and high school sweetheart, Sammie. He just graduated from Wheaton College where he majored in Business Economics and played football! When he’s not out doing all the things ranch hands do, he likes to fish, hunt, and soak up the outdoors. Ask him what it’s like growing up with 7 siblings!

Ranch Operations