TEAM

James is a multifaceted individual with a passion for craftsmanship and education. With over 15 years of experience in carpentry, coupled with expertise in electrical work and machine mechanics, James is adept at a wide array of trades. And he loves sharing his knowledge and helping people build skills. Born and raised in Culver, James joined the Marines where he was trained in automotive, jet turbine, and solid fuel rocket mechanics, earning numerous certifications. He also is certified in asbestos abatement and has a safety certification from OSHA. Now back in Central Oregon, he gives back to the community through School of Ranch.

Beth is a food alchemist.  Before leaving her artist career and moving here from Ohio six years ago, Beth studied up on desert gardening. On arrival, she became the garden department manager at a local retailer.  When her suggestions to stock climate appropriate plants went nowhere, she started High & Dry Garden Works, her own lab for propagating plants that can thrive with limited water, excessive sun and wind, and deer.  Among the many things she grows are her own foodstuffs, which she now by magic makes into amazing new shapes and forms. If you call Beth, prepare for a conversation that goes something like, "Hold on a sec, I just discovered how to make dehydrated french fries and need to write it down!"

Scott Mallory is a native Oregonian, living mainly in the east Gresham area and has been in Central Oregon for the last 3 years. He worked in the nursery industry for over 35 years as a grower and now owns his own tree trimming business, Mallory Ornamental Tree and Yard. He is an expert on all things trees; trimming, pruning, planting, reduction and removal. His family lovingly refers to him as everybody’s tree guy!

Joe is a welder's welder with a rare combination of large company, small small, and instructional experience.  Joe spent a lot of years at Honeywell, and  his responsibilities included running the training program for new welders.  With his own professional welding operation run out of a well-equipped shop, Joe and his family, horses, and cow, live the classic Central Oregon ranch life.  If you broke it, Joe can fix it.  If you need it, Joe can make it, and he likes nothing more than passing on those skills to his neighbors.

Shannon Thorson is a second-generation builder who grew up on a farm in Cottage Grove breaking horses and doing all things handy. She lives in Sisters and works as a Project Manager| Designer for RE:VIVE Construction Services LLC. She loves coffee, her DeWalt Drill and Dump Trailer, and her her 5-year-old Australian shepherd/lab job site dog.  Shannon believes in empowering women to do all things and her passion for construction will have you feeling the same.

George Blackman is a local treasure.  As much historian as craftsman, George fashions his own tools from machines that are twice his age, each with its own storied past.  Blacksmith, sculptor, inventor, carver, woodworker, you name it, all rolled up into one engaging, enthusiastic member of our Central Oregon community.  George built his career as a welder, but his passion is in working with traditional tools to handcraft practical works of art.  

Dr. Persia of Black Diamond grew up riding in western disciplines including cattle sorting, reining, and western dressage. Dr. Persia worked on a ranch where she developed a strong passion for equine management, teaching, and rehabilitation. Combining this passion for horses and love of intricate science led her towards obtaining her doctorate in veterinary medicine.  Dr Persia is a fantastic workshop leader, bringing knowledge, humor, and a engaging style to the sessions she leads.

Meet Elly Jochman.  While Elly would probably rather be in her soap shed working on her latest concoction, she can't resits the change to spread her love of soap making to her Central Oregon Neighbors.  When it comes to soap, Elly has years of deep experience that started as a hobby and has blossomed into a successful company.  She specializes in creating small batches of artful, gift worthy hand poured soap. When she does leave her shed, and when she's not teaching, Elly  loves sailing!  And we're sure she knows how to clean up afterwards!.  

Jonathan Chatman discovered his life's passion while building tree houses as a boy.  Jonathan joined the Army Corps of Engineers in 2004, where he was trained and excelled in carpentry, masonry, and plumbing.  After his time in the service, he embarked on  a career as a journeyman carpenter. Mr. Chatman has a wide range of knowledge and experience and loves to teach willing learners. Jonathan is now retired living in Prineville with his beautiful wife and 6 children. 

Suzanne Landry is a Wellness Educator, and Celebrity Chef, and author of The Passionate Vegetable and Fresh Food Matters. Suzanne has over thirty-five years of experience as a culinary instructor, educator, and industry consultant, and has inspired many people toward a healthier lifestyle.  She is very active in a women’s group that she started 5 years ago and loves hiking in Central Oregon with them.

Is there anyone who doesn't know Kate Beardsley, founder of Mustangs to The Rescue, selfless leader of countless rescue missions, and an accomplished educator who has touched so many lives in Central Oregon.As a professional horse trainer, riding instructor, wrangler and program director, Kate has numerous years of experience working in veterinarian clinics and served as board member with Oregon Equestrian Trails, Back Country Horsemen of Oregon, and Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition among others.  Kate is a treasure, and we're super glad to partner with her on workshops.

Debbie Wood is from Prineville, where she works as the coordinator for Crooked River Weed Management Area located in the Crook County OSU Extension Office. In her 9 years there, she has incorporated working with more partners on projects across county borders. Crooked River Weed Management Area creates public and private partnerships to manage noxious weed populations in the watershed through education, prevention, inventory, control, and restoration.

Amy Sidran was a farmer before she became a teacher. She earned her B.S. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in wildlife and fisheries biology, and played two years of Division I tennis. After two years as an agriculture extension volunteer in Peace Corps Bolivia, she returned to the United States and earned her Master's of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University in Eugene, OR, focusing on science and experiential learning. She began her teaching career in Vancouver, WA, teaching a variety of science classes. While there she created and developed a horticulture program and student-led urban farm. From 2016-2019, she taught middle school science at The Carol Morgan School, an international American school in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Amy then finished her Master’s of Science in agriculture from Washington State University and was an Organic Garden Educator at CMS. She run's a consulting and design practice here, and loves Central Oregon and the challenge we face to garden and farm.

Meet Lucinda Baker - a researcher, clinician and teacher. She has a deep connection to the horse through her decades of hands-on experience, study, and in-depth research on what makes them tick.  As an early adopter of Horse Speak® she is a Certified Horse Speak® Practitioner, and is highly qualified to teach this fascinating new evidence-based science.  Her philosophy is, "A calm and alert horse is ready to learn- regardless of training technique."  For more information, visit lucindab.com.

Sarah grew up wild. Raised in La Pine on a +/- acre she was able to live a very free childhood. Her dreams were built from dirt and pine needles. Fast forward to bigger dreams, she has built 2 homes, lived without running water for years and has had 13 jobs (different industries) in 9 years. Sarah has constantly sought out a balanced life of fulfilling work, healthy relationships, and fun. Sarah brings her lifetime of skills and experience to the table to share with anyone who will listen, and seeks out knowledge with the same fiery passion.

Kaleb Watson is School of Ranch's muse, if a 6' 3" linebacker can be a muse.  Mark Gross, our founder, hired Kaleb to teach him how to use a chainsaw, and School of Ranch was born.  Kaleb was our first workshop leader, and though he has moved away, he remains an integral part of our team.  Kaleb grew up ranching and farming  with his cowboy father, and over time became self-sufficient at home and ranch maintenance.

Kaleb spent six years in the Marine Corps, where he earned his teaching stripes as a pistol instructor.  

After the Marines, he began a career in construction. He learned welding, equipment maintenance, basic mechanics, hydraulics and, most important to him, troubleshooting. Kaleb has a drive to pass on his know-how and enjoys helping people build the skills he spent years acquiring.  He has relocated to AZ where he plans to launch School of Ranch!

Jacob Hundt grew up on a dairy farm in the Driftless Region and was one of the founding students of the Youth Initiative High School in Viroqua. He studied at Deep Springs College, the American University in Bulgaria, and the University of Chicago. Since 2004, he has worked as a trained Waldorf high school teacher and guidance counselor at Youth Initiative High School and was a founding board member and instructor of the Driftless Folk School. Currently, Jacob is Director and faculty member of Thoreau College, an emerging microcollege inspired by Waldorf education, Henry David Thoreau, Deep Springs College, and the Scandinavian folk high school movement.

Chris LaVictoire Mahai is an experienced public, private and non-profit board member. She has a leadership and management history of delivering significant operating results in financial, media, healthcare, and professional services. Today Mahai consults with executives and boards of public and private clients across the US and around the world. In her board roles over the past 20 years, she has chaired the audit and governance committees of the board, plus several ad hoc committees. As a private equity investor focused primarily on women- owned and led businesses, Mahai has also played an advisory role in start-up situations.

Patrice grew up in the mountains of Colorado and had her first horse when she was five. 4-H was her main interest growing up and she competed in every event available. Her horses and adventures are chronicled in her book, Tales of a Young Rider.  At Colorado State University, she worked at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She developed a love for jumping and dressage, winning the Lory State Park Horse Trails.  She became passionate about Dressage and groundwork while riding an upper level school master. She raised her daughters with horses and was very active in 4-H, volunteering as a 4-H Horse Project, Performance Team and Record Book Leader.  She also competed in California State Horseman's Association Horse Mastership program, where she took the top score for Region 5, showing expertise in all aspects of horsemanship. Pinto World was her highest level of competition, where she won 2 Reserve Champion ribbons for Western Pleasure.  Currently, she enjoys exploring the Tumalo trails and taking in the Cascade views from her ranch.