By Steph
A while back I asked the question “Where are you now?” to our Vista Verde Ranch Alumni. It was wonderful to hear back from so many former staff. We’ve lost touch with a lot of folks, but are trying to get a group together to keep in touch better in the future. So, if you’ve wondered where life has taken some of our great staff, read on.
If you are a former VVR staff and want to keep in touch with others, please leave a comment as to what you’re up to and I’ll add you to the Vista Verde Ranch Alumni list.
Erin Fellows- I am back in Austin, Tx and now the General Manager of a Bakery that just opened 2 months ago. I worked for a privately owned ice cream company called Amy’s Ice Creams for 5 years and last year they offered me the position as the General Manager of Baked by Amy’s. I credit Vista Verde so much for where I am today! Rob gave me a chance to learn in a real kitchen and I fell in love with a career I will enjoy for the rest of my life.
Lindsey Conklin- I saw your post on facebook! Thought I’d respond as I’d love to see what everyone’s been up to! I miss the Ranch, you, Ben, Melissa, and Charlie!!!! How are things going? For now I’m living in New York City, writing for a blog called “The Gloss,” possibly going to grad school in the fall. (although a piece of me hates to leave NYC–I’ve fallen in love with this city!) Hope everyone’s doing well, would love to come back and visit at some point!
Brittany Haile- That’s a great idea! I just moved to DC as you know and am doing special events with the American Heart Association
Lasha Halsey- I live in Fort Collins now. I am a yoga instructor at Raintree Athletic Club and also Om Ananda Yoga Studio. VVR is where I started teaching yoga, unproffesionally of course, with my fellow co-workers. But it’s where my teaching career started! I am a also a part-time nanny/household mananger for a wonderful family here with 2 kids; a 9 year old and 12 year old. I spend a lot of time with other VVR folks here: JJ Fountain, AJ Fountain, Jamie Porter and Rob Panos. We have a wonderful little community here because of the friendships built while at the ranch. I love Fort Collins but also miss the ranch and plan to visit soon! Hope all is well. Sending my love!
Jenn Brouder- Great idea for the blog! Can’t wait to see where everyone is 🙂 I’m in my final semester at Elon University about to graduate with a degree in Human Services. I’d really love to pursue outdoor adventure therapy or recreation therapy! I send my love to everyone out there!
Emily Taylor- That is such a cool idea! I’m at Vanderbilt Law School- Nashville, TN- in my second semester, with an internship lined up for part of the summer at a small firm just north of Nashville. And, obviously, I’m constantly missing Colorado, looking for a way to get back as soon as possible! The pictures of the ranch all over my apartment don’t help me concentrate on my homework 🙂 Miss you!
Anita Olson- Okay I will tell you about me. On Feb 1 I will be taking over as the Director of Keep Loup Basin Beautiful. We are a non-profit organization that promotes waste reduction, recycling, litter prevention and beautification for several counties in central Nebraska. I’m actually going to be working sometimes with your buddy Sarah Switzer. However we still haven’t met in person even though we were supposed about three different times. I live in Ericson with my mom (you don’t have to put that detail) and Pinky and Chico. That’s about it. I update the Keep Loup Basin Beautiful facebook page if you want to see what kinds of things we do. How are things at Vista Verde? I got to see Johanna, Beka and Terry at the stock show. That was fun and it sounds like things are going really well. Take care!
Rob Citto- My current job is Resident chef of a cooking school in Tallahassee Florida. I have two CBS appearances a month cooking on live TV. I am also writing a Food and Wine blog for the Tallahassee democrat. www.tallahassee.com/chefrob. I miss the ranch and Steamboat Springs. Keep in touch.
Sallie Hallmark- I saw the “where are they now” page and thought I would just let you know. I am nowhere exciting in another country like several of my counterparts, lol, but I am back in Birmingham and am now the Director of Sales for the Aloft Birmingham Soho Square. (www.aloftbirminghamsohosquare.com). I miss y’all all the time, but it is an awesome job and it is great being back close to family and friends.
Liz Tripodi- Nate and I live in the Washington, D.C. area where I work as an attorney litigating mergers and acquisitions of public companies and Nate runs his whitewater kayak school, Potomac River Outfitters. I am running a good bit and active with the DC Road Runners. Nate remains very active in the paddling community teaching and volunteering with Team River Runner, an organization that helps wounded veterans. We still keep in touch with Chol, and were fortunate enough to have him on our Grand Canyon trip a couple of years ago – 21 days of pure river bliss! We miss the Colorado winters (I miss the summers too) and being able to ski right out of our front door. We hope to make it back out to Steamboat one of these days! Give my best to everyone!
Evan J. Younger- I’m responding to your post asking where people are. I’m in Boston, MA working in corporate real estate for CBRE. I hope all is well with you and your family.
Evan Forsythe- Greetings from Tucson AZ! I’m in my second year of a phD program at the University of Arizona. I study and research Genetics and Evolutionary Biology in plants (not fish?!?). Sending my love to the ranch!
Kelly Luce- Hey, Steph! Great idea. I’m in Austin, TX right now, doing a writing fellowship at UT. My first book came out in October. http://kellyluce.com/, Kelly Luce | Author of Three Scenarios in Which Hana Sasaki Grows a Tail
Rucker Staggers- Hey Steph! After the ranch I drove to Auburn, Alabama and worked at a local auto shop before starting med school. I just finished my first semester as a first year medical student at UAB in Alabama. I am pretty sure I am the only one here who has driven a tractor or worn a cowboy hat
Grace Berryman- Hey Steph! Right now I’m in the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera understudying the role of Christine! Some of the guests Reid and I keep in touch with are coming to see the show in their respective cities! So fun to stay connected with them all as I travel the country!
Teresa Cristina- Yoooo! I’m in Sayulita, Mexico teaching first and second graders at a non-profit bilingual school with an ecological focus. Also, I’m trying to learn (rather unsuccessfully) to surf. Here’s my blog https://twonunsontherun.wordpress.com and the school website in case anyone wants to come volunteer and keep me companyhttp://www.colegiocostaverde.com/Joomla/ . I miss you ranchers somethin fierce!!! Hugs for the girls, please!
Bekah Chadwick- Rusty and I are in Rome, GA where he works as the Operations Manager at WinShape Wilderness. Rusty is also working on his Master’s in Management & Leadership. I was working for the WinShape Foundation but am now staying at home raising our 18 month old, Dawson.
Kelsey Detzner- I am in Denver, nannying and working on my MA in counseling ministries, but the end is in sight! One more semester + one outstanding summer class, and then job searching, possibly with a trip to the west coast after graduation!
Chelsea Kaufman- Hey Steph, great idea! I’m living in Carmel, IN and working in Sales as an Engineering Recruiter. I’m eager to read this blog and see where life has taken everyone so far. Hope all is well!
Nathan McClure- Cool idea Steph! I live in Augusta, GA and am finishing my 2nd year of med school. I also recently got married. Hope all is well at the ranch!
Dana Gingerich- Man, mine sounds boring compared to all of these! I’m living in Arthur IL with my husband on our grain farm and I work at an agricultural software company doing grain customer support.
Ashley Gillespie- You know our story. Living in Clarkesville GA. Jonathon is the chef at Waterfall Country Club. I am a stay at home mama to our boys, Dylan – 4 and Wyatt – 15 months and do taxidermy when I have time.
Jess Decker- Hey Steph, I’m back in Tiger GA working in Gainesville for Kenworth as a mechanic. What I find interesting is how small this world really is. I’m not sure if Ashley and I know each other, but we live 20 mins apart.
Amber Ortiz- Proud Alum from over 10 years ago! Robert and I are no longer married but did have two amazing children together. Reid (whom I was pregnant with my last summer working there- morning sickness and puking while riding with guests is not fun but Jonathan Gillespie and Chol McGlynn let me eat ice cream whenever I wanted!) is turning 10 in March. Reyata will be 5 in June. Both Robert and I live in Iowa. He’s an Ag Teacher and I work at Coe College. Miss VVR and all my fellow Alums!
Janelle Erickson- Hi Steph and everyone! I just moved back to MN after a loooong time away. Most recently I was in Dubai for four years working as a Copywriter at the TBWA and Leo Burnett ad agencies. Just started at a new-ish agency in MN called Solve. They have some pretty cool clients. So keep an eye out for any Organic Valley, True Value or Bentley advertising, because I probably had a hand in creating them.
Casie Marie Barker- Hey Steph…life after the ranch actually brought me back to Carmel, IN to nanny for Peggy and Jerry’s son’s kids! What a small world! Hope to visit soon!
Alex Mabey- Heyyyyyy everyone! I’m living in WA right now, finishing school, planning a summer winery music tour on the east of the mountains, and finishing my third CD (coming out in April)!! Last summer I coordinated and lead wilderness trips for youth in Alaska and here’s my latest music video, shot in right Homer!http://vimeo.com/72533895 Looking forward to life after college and thankful to have had the break I did to go to cool places like VVR So cool hearing what everyone is up to! xoxox
‘Cry For The Bird’ by Alex Mabey
Dan Croake- Hi Steph! Sang and taught for a few years after I left. Then decided I wanted to take care of people with voice problems and got my clinical degree in voice pathology. Stayed on to get my PhD at the University of Kentucky. Been an exciting year having some of my research published. Should be Dr. Croake in about 9 months.
Grahm Fulton- It’s fun to read what everyone is up to. Such a unique group of people! And we all have VVR in common! After leaving el rancho I pursued the grass fed cattle side of ranching. Interned for a summer in Nebraska at the Rusty Star (sorry Anita Olson, CO is where it’s at.) This past summer was up in MT at the J Bar L (if you’re in need of some tasty grass fed beef this is hands down the place to get it from, plus no minimum order!) Interned for a while back in CO at the Chico Basin Ranch. But for now hanging up the spurs and attempting to use my fine woodworking degree back in Denver.
Roxy Kestner- Steph! This is the coolest idea! One of the (many) best things about working at VVR…I always have something interesting to talk about with random people. And they always think I must have lived the coolest life ever. And they are totally right!!
Dorit Iacobsohn- Steph, I love this idea! Very cool to see where everyone landed. I got my Masters in Social Work from UCLA and I’m now working on Hollywood at a social service organization that serves homeless individuals with mental illness & medical disabilities. I think about VVR all the time, it’s nice to keep connected
Lindsey Thorsen- Married and living in my home town of Muskegon MI. Working as a marketing manager for ServiceMaster.
Matt Moore- I just finished looking at a bunch of old VVR pictures with three of my four kids! I am a professional Farrier (horseshoer) with my own business. I shoe mostly Western Pleasure Quarter horses and Paints. I shoe in Ohio, Mich., Texas, and Florida during the winter. I do have one barn full of polo ponies which are not always fun to shoe but is a great game to watch!