We have a new smiling face to welcome into our Vista Verde family!
Rochelle Latka joins the front office team as our new Director of Sales and Hospitality. Rochelle brings with her not only a deep love for the guest ranch lifestyle but also a wealth of experience shaped by adventure, service, and a lifelong commitment to meaningful hospitality. Her passion for dude ranching first began while studying at the College of William and Mary, where she spent her summer breaks working at guest ranches out West, quickly turning into something far more lasting—a calling she knew would be part of her life for years to come.
After graduation, Rochelle stepped away from ranch life briefly to pursue another dream: serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania. For two and a half years, she lived in a small village, working alongside residents on projects focused on malnutrition, HIV/AIDS education, water management, and community-based income initiatives. That time instilled in her a powerful sense of connection, leadership, and care—qualities that align with our own personal mission here at Vista Verde.
Rochelle eventually returned to the American West, spending six years living and working at a guest ranch in Wyoming while continuing to satisfy her adventurous spirit through travel and exploration. Her love of horses and endurance took her across the globe, including remarkable experiences competing in the Gaucho Derby across Patagonia and the legendary Mongol Derby across Mongolia.
After returning from her global adventures, Rochelle founded her own horse training and rehabilitation business in North Carolina, working with a wide range of horses and expanding her expertise even further. Now, as she returns to the guest ranch world, we are excited for the energy, warmth, and new perspective she brings to Vista Verde.
Rochelle will be stepping in as our beloved Director, Roxy, prepares for her next chapter, and we are confident she will continue to elevate the exceptional hospitality and heartfelt welcome that define Vista Verde Ranch. Please join us in welcoming Rochelle. We are so happy to have her here!