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Travis | Geoff | Amber | Phil & Sarah | Pat | Kevin | Rita | Jay | Other Staff
Elk Ridge Ranch employs a unique team of individuals dedicated to using their knowledge and experience in helping young men enrich their lives through positive role modeling, encouragement, empowerment and developing the focus necessary to define and pursue their life's plan.
Travis was raised on a small ranchette in southeastern Idaho where he enjoyed the benefits of a rural lifestyle. He launched his career over two decades ago as a therapy technician with the Department of Health and Welfare quickly advancing to a training position with Juvenile Corrections. This was the catalyst for what has now been a 21 year pursuit of mentoring others toward changing and improving their lives.
During that time Travis has served as Chairman of the Board and Administrator of a non-profit youth ranch, followed by a position as Chairman of the Board with a successful for profit treatment center overseeing both traditional behavioral treatments and drug and alcohol treatment for young men 10 to 18 years of age.
Prior to acquiring Elk Ridge Ranch he assisted with the development of several treatment programs honoring his dedication to philanthropy and community service. He combines that knowledge and experience together for the internship program at Elk Ridge Ranch. (back to top)
Geoff Neyman: Business Manager
Geoff brings a wealth of business experience operating various companies in the land development and construction industries throughout Southern California. He and his family decided to "get away from it all" and ended up settling in Sweet, Idaho where he fulfills one of his favorite hobbies - running a small organic farm which has received recognition throughout Idaho for innovaton in sustainable practices.
He loves working with the interns at Elk Ridge and has spent many years working with young men in the Boy Scouts of America and various youth groups. He devotes time to community efforts such as the local volunteer fire department and the Sheriff Department Search and Rescue team.
He loves all outdoor activities including biking, skiing, mountain climbing, scuba diving, spending time with his wife and kids, and tinkering on the farm.
Amber Egbert: Internship Manager/Supervisor
Amber is the "do-it-all-multitasker" at Sweetwater Internships. She oversees the internships and schedules of the Interns. She has the ability to firmly motivate while maintaining a nurturing, caring, respectful relationship with the young men. She enjoys being busy and involved with work projects while enthusiastically motivating the young men through their personalized experience.
Amber, A devoted mother and communittee member, has dedicated countless hours volunteering with local 4-h programs, sports programs, and community service activities.
She enjoys her horse ranching/outdoor heritage and has many related interests. Amber is most comfortable in the saddle, but also enjoys outdoor activities including motorbiking, hiking, animal husbandry, construction, and most of all spending quality time with her husband, children and grandchildren.
Pat Stonehouse : Educational Specialist:
Pat has taught K-12 Special Education (through a variety of content areas), 6-12 general classroom English, 6-12 general Environmental and Earth Science, K-12 Bilingual Education (English/Spanish), Adult ESL, ESL College Courses at Bachelors and Masters levels, Special Education courses at Bachelors and Master's levels, and High School Drama (which resulted in public presentations).
She is a PEW fellow, having studied brain research and how people learn as part of a grant from the PEW Foundation, which also resulted in a College Teaching Degree from Heritage College, where she was later the coordinator and administrator for Heritage Colleges' undergraduate and graduate education programs. She has also worked for University of Northern Colorado and Eastern New Mexico University at Roswell as a testing specialist, and at the University of Southern Colorado and University of Arizona as a Head Resident for boys, girls, and married dorms.
Her life has been full of teaching and learning and helping others to learn. She has also been involved with many committees such as Professional Education Advisory Board (PEAB) for Heritage College from 1999-2001. She also enjoyed working with the Parent Enhancement Task Force and on a committee to organize a "Discovery School" while at Moses Lake School District in Washington State.
Pat has always loved teaching people, especially young adults and enjoys helping others to become empowered regarding their strengths and learning styles.(back to top)
Jay Anderson: Art Instruction
Jay Anderson is an artist trained in both traditional painting/drawing and computer generated 3D graphics. He received his formal art training at Brigham Young University studying illustration.
After working as a freelance illustrator for a few years he began working in the 3D gaming industry. Jay worked for Electronic Arts (EA) as an Environment Artist, creating environments and other content for games such as Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Madden, and Superman Returns.
He now teaches both traditional art and 3D computer graphics. He especially enjoys teaching young adults seeking careers in commercial art fields, teaching them the needed tools and skills to be competitive in those fields.(back to top)
Phil and Sarah Ostler: Host Couple
The host couple works with staff to coordinate the daily activities of the ranch while serving as positive role models for interns and working in conjunction with all other staff.
Phil: Financial Advisor/ Evening Staff
He is always here for the young men. Phil offers assistance with the interns finances and recommends ways for improvement. Phil has had 12 years experience in the mortgage and insurance industry. In recent years he served as Vice President of Sales in a successful debt elimination company. Phil served in the military and while attending college he worked at the Utah State Hospital where he served as an attendent in the child and early teen ward. He is an important part of our evening and weekend staff coaching the interns on other skills such as grocery shopping, time management and an occasional lesson at ping pong.
Sarah: Independent Living Skills Instructor
She makes living skills fun and efficient with a little Southern twist. Sarah has worked with Community based Special Education programs and at Telos , a relationship-based treatment center for teenage boys in Orem,UT, where she taught Independent Living Skills. She is always fun to be around and makes learning some of the more grudging tasks of everyday living seem even fun at times.
Kevin Boren: Addiction Recovery Coach
Counselor
Entry Level Staff:
The staff provide guidance and support to interns and assist instructors with their daily chores, assignments and recreational activities.
Nightshift Personnel:
Our nightshift personnel maintain safety and security for interns, personnel and property.(back to top)
