Rick Sandru is a third-generation Montana rancher who operates his family ranch in Twin Bridges with his wife Jody and two sons Ty and Joe. He also serves as president of the Ruby Valley Stock Association, Ruby Valley Conservation District supervisor, founding member of the RVSA and participates in numerous other industry affiliated organizations. Rick's ultimate goal is to preserve what makes southwest Montana so unique, and ensure that his kids and grandkids can carry on his family's ranching legacy.

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Blog: Rick Sandru on tough conversations, collaboration & keeping working ranches viable

Darcie manages the Ruby Valley Strategic Alliance and provides administrative and strategic support. She brings years of experience working in Alaska with diverse groups in conservation, land management planning, and advocacy. Her enthusiasm for people, place, and the outdoors keeps her outside with her son running their sled dogs, riding horses, hiking, skiing, or spending time on a river.

Dan was raised on his family’s ranch in Sheridan. He has always lived in the Ruby Valley, and he and his wife Jody have four sons all working and living in Sheridan. Dan has been an active member of the Ruby Valley Community for decades, serving as a member of the Alder Fire Department for 12 years, on the Sheridan School board for three years, and was in the ranching business for 43 years until he was elected as a Madison County Commissioner in 2016.

John and his wife Karen and brother Jim live and work on the family Ranch which was begun by their Grandfather with his homestead in Beaverhead County in 1907.  Originally a sheep operation, today the ranch supports a cow/calf operation in Madison and Beaverhead Counties with a forest Service grazing allotment in the Gravelly mountains on the north side of the Centennial Valley.  John has served his community as a Stockgrowers director, Planning Board member, volunteer fireman, church leadership team, and 40+ years as a Ruby Valley Conservation District Supervisor.  His service as C.D. Supervisor both locally and as a State Director has been his passion after his faith in God, family, and ranching.  Protecting the land and preserving the agricultural lifestyle he grew up in are his lifetime priorities.

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Blog: John Anderson on giving back, maintaining agriculture & the human component

Neil is a rancher in the Ruby Valley living and working on the ranch his great uncle Pete purchased in 1940. His wife Gloria, having been raised on a local ranch herself, has been able to put up with Neil's cow habit for 47 years. They have a cow/calf and yearling operation that they operate with their son Jake and his wife Jamie and their children. Neil enjoys most everything about ranching, but calving in good weather, and moving cattle in open country, especially when grandkids are along, are highlights. The things that are most important to Neil are his faith in Jesus, family and preserving this area for future generations.

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Blog: Neil Barnosky on credibility, intention & stick-to-it-ness

Emily is the Conservation Director for Wild Montana and works with communities to develop land management solutions and build grassroots support for protecting Montana's wilderness heritage and outdoor traditions. Emily brings experience in research, education, and conservation advocacy from prior work in Wyoming and Idaho and enjoys working with the RVSA to protect everything that makes this corner of the state so special. When she's not in the office, you can usually find Emily outside; skiing, hiking, biking, camping and spending time with friends and family. 

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Blog: Emily Cleveland on wilderness, authentic partnerships & common-sense solutions

Chris works on improving water quantity and quality in the greater Jefferson watershed. He collaborates with the agricultural, conservation, and outfitting community to achieve those goals. Chris happily joined the RVSA in 2019 to continue his work on shared interests in the Ruby Valley. 

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Blog: Chris Edgington on relationships, watersheds & traditional access for all

Kathryn is a Community Conservation Specialist for The Wilderness Society. She works with communities in Southwest Montana to build support for wild lands and help people feel their way toward thoughtful, sustainable public outcomes. As the daughter of a ranching family in Wyoming, she loves learning from the producers in the Ruby Valley and contributing where she can to the powerful work of the group. When out of the office, she finds herself either chronically volunteering or deep in the backcountry on airplane mode.

Gary and his family raise angus cattle along the Big Hole River on a ranch purchased by his Grandfather in 1917. Most of Gary's cattle are summered in the Upper Ruby on deeded property and the Warm Springs Forest Allotment. Gary is also Chairman of the Ruby Valley Conservation District. He believes good conservation is great for agriculture as well as the general public.

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Blog: Gary Giem on the legacy of agriculture, listening & canoe racing

Les Gilman, a fifth generation rancher in the Ruby Valley, shares in that heritage with his children and grandchildren on the family ranch near Alder.  He previously served as the Executive Director of the Ruby Habitat Foundation. In both endeavors, he adheres to the RHF mission of dedication to the preservation and enhancement of the natural resources and social and economic makeup of the Ruby Valley.

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Blog: Les Gilman on commonality, the inevitability of change & how long is always?

John Helle is a fourth generation sheep and wool producer, operating the Helle Rambouillet ranch with his family outside Dillon. John is also the co-founder of Duckworth, 100% USA-made merino wool clothing company which uses Helle Rambouillet wool. When John isn't ranching, you'll likely find him at Maverick Mountain, the local ski hill where he works as a ski patroller. John is committed to maintaining and enhancing the stewardship of the lands that support his outdoor way of life for future generations to enjoy. 

Chad is the SW Manager for the Montana Land Reliance where his primary duty is protecting working lands and wildlife habitat through conservation easements with willing landowners. He brings a decade of experience in private land conservation and enjoys creating collaborative partnerships that help solve important economic and natural resource challenges in SW Montana. While not at work, Chad enjoys hunting, fishing, and hiking on the abundance of public lands Montana has to offer.

Sally provides strategic leadership for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s efforts to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife within the Montana portion of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Her work focuses on conserving key public lands, improving habitat connectivity, preventing human-wildlife conflicts, and shaping local, state, and federal policy decisions. Teamwork, leadership, and listening are skills Sally uses to bring various groups together on these critical issues.  

Water, wildlife, and nature have always played a significant role in Sally’s life. She developed a love for fishing and catching turtles from her grandmother and the love of exploring bodies of water from her parents. Twenty years of mountain life in Montana has provided an incredible backdrop for seeking common ground for nature and people. Living and working in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is as amazing as it sounds and an enormous privilege.

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Blog: Sally Schrank on Conservation, Honesty, and Integrity

George, a 5th generation Montanan with a long family history in southwest Montana, has worked in the ranching business for most of his life. He managed the Hamilton Ranch for 25 years where he and his wife Donna raised their five children. George now runs a business in Sheridan and enjoys spending time with his family and working with the RVSA to ensure that the outdoor way of life in the Ruby Valley can be enjoyed by future generations.

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Blog: George Trischman on a lifetime of ranching, maintaining open space & gratification