Ranch Operations

Bill Backer

Nate Margason

Safety Manager
CMC EMT Program
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 things or overseeing our fleet of 14 hot tubs, or guiding, or wrangling, he finds time to pursue his hobbies that include hiking, playing softball, dancing, and horseback riding. 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!

Zach Wingo

Human Resource Manager
Wilderness First Responder, USCG Certified Captain, CPR, AED
Hometown: Annapolis, MD

Zach is a dedicated outdoorsman who has been chasing anything with a set of gills or pair of antlers since he was 2 years old. Growing up on a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, he enjoys fishing for striped bass and sailing during the summer months. In the fall, he can be found bowhunting for whitetails and sika deer. Zach is also a proud USC Gamecock and looking forward to an awesome summer at VVR! Fun Fact: Before joining us at VVR, Zach sailed 1,900 nautical miles from Annapolis, MD to the Bahamas with his father.

Devyn Cordes

Shannon Neff

Activities Coordinator
CPR & First Aid Certified
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO

We are so excited to welcome Shannon back for her third season here at Vista Verde! Shannon graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Natural Resource Tourism and she is so happy to call the ranch home. She loves to travel and is passionate about music. She can frequently be found drinking coffee and petting dogs. Last winter Shannon fell in love with down hill skiing. This summer you will find her enjoying the sunshine, reading, hiking, and camping!

Stephanie Shreve

Reservations 
First Aid, CPR, AED
Hometown: Oakland, MD

Steph is joining us in the office for her third season at VVR! Steph has spent the last year ridding horses all over the ranch as a wrangler. Before coming to the ranch she graduated from West Virginia University. She then worked for an organization called Young Life in Buena Vista, CO. This winter you will find her learning how to skate ski and reading as many books as she can.

Holly Martin

Jennifer Haskett

Bookkeeper
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

While Jennifer is originally from Philadelphia, she has been living in Steamboat Springs for the past ten years! Her son is currently a student at Steamboat Springs High School and her daughter is studying veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia. One of Jen’s true passions is art and she attended the Academy of Art University at San Francisco. She loves to draw and paint, especially the beautiful scenes around the area. Jen also loves to explore the mountains by means of hiking, horseback riding or even stand-up paddle boarding. Fun Fact: Jen was a contender on American Gladiator!

Ranch Hands

Michael Kristensen

Jonah Jones

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Wheaton, IL

After graduating from Wheaton College with a degree in Chemistry, Jonah is thrilled to be back at the ranch for another summer. His favorite memory from Vista is summiting Little Agnes in the winter with former staff member Isaac. All the cabins at the ranch are name after local mountains and Jonah’s goal this summer is to summit them all!

Jack Martin

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Clark, CO

Jack is back from Colorado University in Boulder and ready for another summer at Vista! He is one of the few at the ranch who call Clark the town he grew up in. Jack enjoys being outside and anything sports related. This summer you will find Jack perfecting his straight lines while mowing the ranch lawns. Fun fact: Jack hates plain avocados but LOVES guacamole!

Sam Nicholls

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Beavercreek, OH

We are excited to have Sam joining us for his first season. A recent graduate from Cedarville University in Ohio where he earned his degree in Occupation Therapy. Sam is an officer in the Air Force and currently waiting to start his first assignment at Hurlburt Field, Florida as a Force Support Officer. Fun Fact: Sam has held a koala and fed kangaroos in Australia!

Dora Robel

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Greeley, CO

Before coming to the ranch, Dora was pursuing her degree in Interior Design and Architecture at Aims Community College. She will be continuing her studies this fall at Colorado State University. Dora wants to be design and be apart of the building process for houses focusing on their kitchens and bathrooms. This summer she is excited to explore all Clark and Steamboat have to offer.  Fun Fact: Dora is the youngest of 5 siblings!

Jake Waldrop

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Moseley, VA

Jake is a recent graduate of Hampton-Sydney College in Virginia. He loves hunting, fishing, and anything that involved sports and nature. Some of Jake’s passions are spending time with his family, developing intentional relationships, and figuring out how things work. Jake is excited to spend his first season at the ranch exploring and learning.

Jake Weisenfluh

Ranch Hand
Hometown: Homer Glen, IL

Jake is joining us here at the ranch for his first season. When he is not exploring the outdoors, Jake finds himself diving into cooking, reading, cinema, and board games. One of his biggest pastimes is rooting for all of Chicago’s many sports teams. Growing up near a lake, he loves spending time in and around the water, last summer he spent a lot of time on Lake Superior and camping in beautiful Minnesota and Ontario.