About Rock Springs Guest Ranch
Welcome to the about us area of our website. In this section,
we have information for travel writers and media, employment
information, our history, and information about our key staff.
As always within our site, the navigation is to the left.
Rock Springs makes 100 Best Places to Work!!
We are very excited to announce that we have made the 2007 Oregon Business Magazine's 100 Best Places to Work in Oregon list - small business. We are #35!
Key Staff Information
Because the internet is so impersonal, and the experience at Rock Springs Guest Ranch is not, our staff is each writing a little about themselves, and what they enjoy about Rock Springs Guest Ranch, that you might get to know us better.
We have also launched a blog site, where our staff are posting their impressions and experiences surrounding Rock Springs Guest Ranch.
John Gill, our Manager/Owner has been at the helm since his aunt Donna's death in 1983:
I arrived to help manage the ranch in May of 1983 shortly
after I graduated from college and finished my ski bum days in
Idaho and Europe. As you can read in our history page, my
family has had a long history of horses and outdoor
recreation. My aunt’s first endeavor was a
girl’s camp centered around horseback riding that she
built and opened in 1935. She sold this in the early
fifties and built a guest ranch, called Indian Ford, which she
ran until the mid sixties.
I grew up in Portland, Oregon but my father owned ranch property adjacent to the guest ranches. So, throughout my childhood I spent almost every weekend, school holiday, and summer vacation on the ranch; bucking hay, changing irrigation, fixing fence, horseback riding, fly fishing, and having adventures with summer guest kids. Aunt Donna gave us Gill kids new horses every few years for Christmas, although we usually had to give them up for a few weeks during the dude season. I feel very lucky to have had these experiences. My aunt was a tremendous influence on me, and many others I’m sure. She shaped many of my values and appreciation for people, nature, horses, and a way of life.
The summer program we offer is still rooted in the philosophy of my aunt. I like to think that I have only enhanced it with a few upgrades and changes. The ranch is open year round, and fall, winter and spring we do mainly group business. My wife and I love to ski, fly fish, raft and travel. We’re not sure about the long-term interests of the kids yet, but they seem to enjoy the outdoors as well.
Eva Gill, John’s wife and currently our Controller and Marketing Director Yes - accounting and and marketing. I have held many positions here over the years. My photo is with John and the girls above. I have been with Rock Springs Guest Ranch since marrying into the family in 1988:
Having grown up in Bend, I have a strong attachment to the area and the remarkable outdoor recreation it offers. The mountains and open country have been a part of me since my first backpacking trip at five. The roll of a line cast into an eddy of water on the Deschutes, the fly at its end touching down on the water with the greatest delicacy. The weightlessness of floating through new powder snow on a stormy day at Mt. Bachelor. Closing my eyes, catching a moment of flight while cantering on a narrow trail. Listening to a coyote song as I close my eyes to sleep. Simple things of this place bring me joy.
The ranch itself steals into hearts, and those who love it never really leave. John, myself, and several others stay in the physical sense, but a thread ties us to the many whom have come and gone. The tears of joy in a mother’s eye when her shy 8-year-old son sings in the talent show. The stories of families’ shared experiences told as a feather is passed on Friday night. The holiday cards that are exchanged between guests years after meeting here on the ranch. The staff member who grew up working here, and goes on to start his own business. A little boy in love with Hank the pony. These things wrap themselves around our hearts and bind us to this place. To be a part of something that touches lives in this way is a truly remarkable experience.
Now our daughters, Hannah and Marlie, are growing up here. They are drawn to Rock Springs by their own budding passion for horses. I am thankful for their opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and their exposure to such a wide variety of perspectives. To see that there are many ways to think and be, but even so we are all so similar.
Tricia Maxson, our Guest Services Manager: Tricia joined us late summer 2005, right after our dude ranch program ended. She is warm and fun, and has been a delight to work with. She promises me a picture soon:
I grew up in a state park in Illinois, where my father ran a restaurant, lodge and rented cabins. It was so similar to Rock Springs that it felt like coming home when I started working here on the ranch. The added benefit here is having horses around. I’ve been quite passionate about horses most of my life. Actually, all my critters are my passion.
Crystal, my Morgan mare, is my great friend. She’s provided me with much joy and serenity. Chica, my chocolate lab, is my exercise partner that gets me out running, hiking, skiing, swimming and of course riding. She makes me laugh nearly everyday. And Trucker, my attack cat, grabs my feet, grabs the dog, actually grabs anything that moves. He also makes me laugh!!
Laughing is another source of energy for me. I love life, love my friends, family, and my job. I love meeting new people and my job is to make sure that everyone here at the ranch is having a good time. I’ve worked in the tourism industry nearly all my life so being here at Rock Springs is the perfect place to be. I’m the luckiest person I know!
Heather Barklow, our Head Wrangler: Read Heather's bio in the riding section of our website.
Steven Hazell, Chef: Read Steven's bio in the meals section of our website.
Coming soon: (As they are dragging their feet to get these to me, I will make something up...)
Hud Crites- Head Youth Counselor- Hud grew up here, although he is not really grown up yet (we are still waiting.) Over the better part of the past twenty years, he has worked in every department. Starting as the "chef's kid" living on property, and finally ending up playing with the kids here on vacation. Never leave an opening; he'll make a joke about anything. (Although you will probably end up laughing.)
Jamie Hildebrandt- Maintenance Manager- OK, Jamie has been here for well over 20 years now. Nobody really knows what he does, but boy he sure does hold the place together.
