In 1976, Montie Ritchie said, “Nobody or organization succeeds alone in the world, so the fact that we are able this year to celebrate our 100th birthday is due in large part to the wonderful loyal men and women, leaders who worked for and with us, men of imagination, men of skill, men of courage, men who braved the elements day or night, men who took pride in their crafts, loved their horses, and understood their cattle, and were eager to enhance the reputation of the JA and proud to be part of it.”
Management

Ninia Ritchie
Andrew Bivins
Dale Smith
Jay O Brien
Texas Ranch

Randal Gates
Ranch Foreman
Randal comes from New Mexico, where he worked with his father at area ranches from a very young age. After graduating high school, Randal attended South Plains College, and then to the Clarendon College Ranch and Feedlot program where he graduated with an Associate Degree in Ranch and Feedlot Business. Working in different ranches and feedlots, Randal developed an eye for sick cattle and the traditional sense of how to handle cattle. Randal s humble approach to integrity, honesty and hard work were strengthened by working with some great people at some of the most historical ranches that America has to offer. The Chappell Spade Ranch in 1997-1999. The JA Ranch in 1999-2003. The XL Ranch foreman from 2003-2008. The Swenson Ranch Wagon Boss from 2008-2010. In August of 2010 Randal returned as foreman to the JA Ranch, with his family. In his spare time, you can find Randal cooking on his grill or chasing kids.
Drestyn Bell
High Lonsome Camp
Mike Crump
Plains Corral Camp
Lane Oles
Headquarters Cowboy
Lane Oles is our newest team member. He came to the ranch after a devastating fire burned down the Davis Camp in January of 2022. He has the dreary task of driving 16 miles one way to tend to the Davis Country everyday. He takes his son Miles and fiancé Liddy with him as much as he can.

Les Freeland
Excavator Operator
Les and Alesia Freeland came to the JA Ranch in March of 2008 from New Mexico. Les is the Excavator/CAT operator at this time.
Both are New Mexico natives, although Les has worked in Miami, Texas on a farm & ranch and has driven combines on a grain harvest which went through several states from New Mexico through Texas up to Rapid City, South Dakota and back to New Mexico. Les comes from a family of cowboys. His family owned and operated several ranches in New Mexico; one near Capitan, one near White Oaks, on in Arabella (near Ruidoso), and one near Carrizozo.
Les grew up on ranches and has worked as a cowboy on ranches in New Mexico and Texas. He was also half owner of a water well and windmill business for over 20 years.

Ron McCurdy
Maintenance Man
Ron guided his family to the JA ranch in May of 2017. Ron brings a wealth of knowledge with him that he has gained with years of experience in construction. His wonderful work ethic and versatile abilities are a great asset to ranch life.

Kerry McCurdy
Mess Hall Cook
Kerry and her family made the move to the JA in May of 2017. They are all enjoy learning the life style of the JA Ranch! Kerry stays incredibly busy with her cooking for the crew. But she does a remarkable job home schooling her girls, volunteering in town and gardening.
Colorado Ranch

John Anderson
Ranch Foreman
John has been with the JA Colorado ranch since 1994. For over 22 years John has been working to improve and streamline all of the working elements and efforts of the ranch. Blueprinted goals were created and implemented over the years for less stress regarding the management of the cattle, that has improved weight gains and calmer cattle. John also contributes the success of the operation to the great quality of JA bred horses that are indeed the backbone of the ranch operations. While John literally wears two totally different hats, the cowboy hat is his passion and labor of love. Coming up in 2018, John will call it quits after serving 40 years wearing a Police Officers hat. During 34 years of that time, John has served in a leadership role as a Police Commander to include 18 years of that as a SWAT leader. John still finds time to be a husband and father. Lisa Anderson is Executive Assistant to the Town Manager and Town Council of Castle Rock and enjoys helping out on the ranch when she can. Jason, the oldest son, served 4 years in the U.S. Marine Corp and is currently a Police Officer in the Denver area, Brycen served 5 years in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier and is now in college majoring in Engineering, while 18 year old Matthew is excelling in his 2nd year at Colorado State University majoring in Project Management, as well as working on the ranch.
Sandy Camp
Dale Askew takes care of the Sandy Camp, even though he doesn’t live on the Ranch. He has done an outstanding job tending to all aspects that go along with the day to day upkeep of the Sandy Camp, and the required maintenance of the cattle.


