David received a Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from Colorado State University (1987). He studied bear nutrition for his Master’s degree at Washington State University (1989) and ruffed grouse nutrition and ecology at Virginia Tech for his Ph.D. (1994). He lectured at Humboldt State University and held a post-doctoral research position at Utah State University before joining the Caesar Kleberg …

Neal Wilkins is the President and CEO of the East Foundation, a private operating foundation supporting wildlife conservation and other benefits of ranching and private land stewardship.  The Foundation operates 218,000 acres of private ranchland in South Texas, where it achieves its mission through research, education and outreach. Neal has over 25 years of experience leading research and conservation efforts …

Mark Kossler is the General Manager of Turner Enterprises Western Ranches in Bozeman, Montana. In this capacity, Kossler oversees the management of 16 ranches in the western U.S. consisting of approximately 1.9 million acres; 51,000 bison; and 250 employees.  All ranches raise bison commercially as well as incorporating numerous wildlife and conservation projects into their operations. Kossler graduated from the …

Erik Jacobsen is Vice-President & General Manager of Cattle Operations for AgReserves, Inc. headquartered at Deseret Ranches in St. Cloud, Florida. Erik began work at AgReserves in 1986 as a cattle foreman on Deseret Ranches of Florida and has been serving as Vice-President & General Manager since 2006.  He worked for Smithfield Foods from 1995 to 2006 in various management …

Bob McCan of Victoria, Texas, oversees the cattle operations and recreational hunting and wildlife operations for his family’s company, McFaddin Enterprises, Ltd. in Victoria, Refugio, and Bee Counties. The ranches are stocked with Victoria cattle, a commercial cross-bred of three-fourths Hereford and one fourth Brahman with a uniform Hereford coloring. McCan was born in Victoria County on October 16, 1957. …

Caroline A. Forgason graduated with a BA from University of Texas at Austin Plan II with honors in 1978. She continued her education at Columbia University School of Business where she earned her MBA in 1985. For 12 years, Forgason ranched in the Davis Mountains on the Caldwell Ranch. Forgason has served as a board member for several organizations, including …

Gus T. Canales was born to parents, Gus Canales and Ruth S. Canales.  He is the great great great grandson of Sabos Cavazos, owner of the “Espirito Santo” Spanish land grant situated in Cameron and Willacy counties, granted in the year 1781.  His heritage also stems from his grandmother, Rafaela Garcia Canales, whose ancestors were granted the “San Antonio de …

Mr. Clement graduated in 1979 from the University of Texas at Austin with a MBA in Finance and in 1976 from Tulane University with a B.A in Economics.  He then held various positions with First City National Bank of Houston (including the Corporate Finance department and, ultimately, the Petroleum and Minerals group). In 1984, he joined King Ranch, Inc. where …

John Olsen is a fifth-generation rancher from Ephraim, Utah. Kesko Ranch—a diversified cow-calf, hay, and turkey operation—was started in 1867 by his great-great-grandfather. It was there, alongside his six brothers and two sisters, that Olsen learned the values of honesty, hard work, and the importance of family and God. Following high school graduation, Olsen attended Brigham Young University Idaho. He …

Raised in the Texas Hill Country, Chance Muehlstein, attributes his passion for agriculture and wildlife to time spent on his grandparent’s ranch and a family that is active in hunting and livestock. Growing up, Chance was also active in 4-H and FFA showing market hogs and cattle, and serving in many leadership roles including the 2007 Texas 4-H Council where …

Working hard from an early age, Joe Glascock started receiving cowboy wages at 11 years old.  Being the oldest of four, he was expected to work alongside his father in all aspects of the ranching industry. Joe’s determination and drive to pursue great things in life took him to Oregon State University, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science …