Rob Albini joined the Shield Ranch Foundation team in January 2023 as its Campsite education director. He brings more than 25 years of experience in outdoor education. Rob has worked for YMCAs in numerous roles throughout the country including YMCA Camp Bernie in Port Murray, New Jersey, where he attended as a camper for six summers before becoming a counselor there. Rob manages all aspects of Camp El Ranchito, including its residential summer Nature Discovery Camp, Conservation Corps, and Outdoor Girl Spring Break Camp. In addition, he leads and develops year-long experiential environmental education and conservation programming for people of all ages. Previously, he served as community and operations manager at Diligent Robotics and as senior program director at the YMCA of Austin Camp Moody.    

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast, telecommunications, and mass media from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey. He now lives in Austin with his dog, Luna. When not working, he enjoys photography, spending his time with friends and family, and hiking throughout Texas.

Addie Broussard leads food service for the Campsite at Shield Ranch. As Campsite chef, she draws inspiration from locally sourced ingredients and family recipes. In Sept. 2022, when the Campsite opened, Addie became responsible for curating seasonal menus for a wide range of audiences. Previously, she served as Camp El Ranchito chef since 2011 and started as a camp counselor in 2008. Addie is the owner and market director for ManorF2M at Whisper Valley, a monthly community market located in the first-ever, zero-energy capable community in East Austin; and she continues to operate a private, mobile pop-up pizza catering business. Previously, Addie served as director of the Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin at Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Edward’s University. Addie was born in Lafayette and grew up in Crowley, Louisiana, where she spent time riding horses and harvesting fresh vegetables with her grandmother. She now lives in Austin with her husband, Denton Weaver, and her Shepherd, Betty. Addie is an avid birder, who loves to hike, ride bikes, and whistle her favorite tunes.

Chase maintains native landscapes and irrigation systems, executes trail maintenance, and services vehicles and equipment at Shield Ranch Barton Creek. Chase is eager to learn new trades and skills that will benefit the Ranch.

Born and raised in Texas, Chase has a background in biological studies and a love for nature. Naturally, he found that he enjoys working outdoors. He has accumulated experience in landscaping, steel construction, industrial audio/video/lighting installation, bar/restaurant management, and window treatment installation.

Chase resides in San Marcos with his wife, Toni, and their dog, Goat. He enjoys spending his free time camping, fishing, and hiking, as well as going to concerts.

Terry Gilchrest brings a variety of practical and professional management experiences that make him an excellent fit for Shield Ranch Cherry Canyon. Prior to joining Shield Ranch in 2020, Terry worked 11 years as general manager of the Madera Valley Water Supply Corporation based in Verhalen where he managed and supervised the public water system for a 225-square mile service area. Additionally, he implemented the conservation management of the land and water resources owned and operated by the corporation. Terry served eight years as a Texas Department of Public Safety highway patrol trooper, has worked in the oil field, and has experience with ranch management. He earned bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and biology from Eastern New Mexico University.

As a resident of Reeves and Jeff Davis Counties for over 20 years, Terry and his family are familiar with the area and are well-established in the Balmorhea community. He and his wife Macy reside on the Ranch with their daughter Penny, and sons Colter and Sam.

John Griffin joined the Shield Land Stewardship Group in January 2025 as the land steward for Shield Ranch Camp Wood in Real County. In this role, John manages daily operations on the ranch, focusing on wildlife habitat and range management, with special attention to endangered species. He also oversees infrastructure maintenance and repairs, including the spring-fed water system. 

John grew up in Snyder, Texas where his first jobs were growing plants and maintaining landscapes. After graduating high school, John entered the Navy where he served four years in Meridian, Mississippi, leaving with an honorable discharge for college. He attended Texas Tech where he studied horticulture, range and wildlife management, forestry, and bioremediation.

John owned his own company for more than 20 years where he held a Texas irrigator’s license, Landscape Irrigation Auditor’s Certification, and was among the first EPA WaterSense partners in Texas. His company managed water usage and consulted large-scale homeowners association clients. John is a past president of the Dallas Irrigation Association, giving back to his industry through advocacy and serving on several committees for the International Irrigation Association.  

While raising two wonderful daughters, Audrey and Lilly, with his wife Amanda, the Griffin family took every opportunity to spend time in nature. Today, John and Amanda live on Shield Ranch Camp Wood. One of John's favorite pastimes is guiding people on the Nueces River. In addition, he and Amanda volunteer for the local Keep Texas Beautiful chapter and are fierce advocates for night skies and natural spaces. 

Jeremy Hanks joins Shield Ranch Barton Creek as its 2025 Land Steward Technician, bringing over a decade of hands-on wildlife and natural resource experience. A native of Sulphur, Louisiana, Jeremy earned his Bachelor of Science in natural resource conservation management from McNeese State University. His background includes two years as a biologist student worker with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and over seven years as a wildlife technician and waterfowl guide. 

Jeremy’s wide-ranging experience spans freshwater mussel sampling, deer and waterfowl population surveys, prescribed fire, habitat enhancement, and invasive species management. As a licensed charter captain and co-owner of SWLA Fishing Frontier, he also has extensive knowledge of Gulf Coast fisheries and excels at communicating ecological concepts to diverse audiences. Whether leading a duck hunt, managing habitat restoration, or collecting data for conservation research, Jeremy’s approach is grounded in safety, stewardship, and a deep respect for native ecosystems.

His skills include GIS mapping, species identification, and field sampling across wildlife, inland, and marine environments. Jeremy is eager to expand his knowledge as a biologist, immerse himself in the flora and fauna of the Texas Hill Country, and continue growing into leadership roles within natural resource conservation management. 

As program director, Justine Kies facilitates groups’ goals at the Campsite at Shield Ranch, implements nature immersion programs, and works to expand audiences accessing the Campsite. Since 2016, her boots have been walking along the trails of Shield Ranch Barton Creek with youth and adults connecting them to the beauty and significance of the land. She has led seven Camp El Ranchito seasons, five as camp director. Her natural abilities to facilitate community and create excitement, along with her love of the natural world add a special element to Shield Ranch Foundation programs.

Justine has 20 years of experience leading experiential education programs. Her career began leading study abroad programs in Latin America and Europe and later encompassing outdoor and environmental education, as well as special education. In January 2020, Justine trained with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy as a certified forest bathing guide.

Her involvement in the field extends beyond Shield Ranch Foundation, as a dedicated member of the Texas Children in Nature Collaborative and the Texas Informal Science Education Association, both of which she has served in leadership positions. Justine and her husband David have a little boy named Caleb and they love spending time with their community of family and friends and relishing simple joys together.

Dallas Lam serves as landscape and facilities manager of Shield Ranch Barton Creek where he maintains the residences, buildings, equipment, and landscaping. Dallas has been designing, installing, and maintaining beautiful landscapes in the Austin area for over 15 years. As an avid naturalist and native Texan, he is passionate about creating outdoor spaces that not only look good but are good for the local environment.

During his extensive career in landscaping, Dallas has cultivated expertise and skill in the areas of landscape design, lawn maintenance, masonry, gardening, lighting, drainage, composting, organic fertilization, soil biology, horticulture, and wildlife habitats. Dallas has completed several courses and seminars related to sustainability, soil biology, and landscape design, including the Go Native U course at The University of Texas at Austin and the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center’s professional development program. He is certified in Habiturf native grass installation and Level II Wildlife Track and Sign.

Dallas resides at Shield Ranch Barton Creek. Outside of work he enjoys photography, studying permaculture/homesteading, serving in his church community, and exploring the outdoors with his wife, Chelsea, and their children Elaine and Nathan.

Erin Langford joined the Shield Ranch Foundation as the development associate in August 2022, thrilled by the opportunity to combine her passion for serving her community and her love for the outdoors. She is deeply inspired by the mission of Shield Ranch and excited to be a part of it all.

Even though Erin was born and raised in Austin, she really spent most of her childhood either going to football games in Aggieland or visiting her family’s ranch in Bandera, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University and earned her bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and sociology, and a master’s degree in public service and administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management.

When not working, Erin enjoys filling her time with taking care of her extensive plant collection, playing intramural sports, and road-tripping around Texas with her favorite cat companion, Scout.

Grant Lawrence serves as land steward and operations manager of Shield Ranch Barton Creek and Shield Ranch Camp Wood where he supervises staff and interns, plans and implements wildlife/habitat management practices, and maintains infrastructure and equipment. From an early age, Grant was called to the outdoors, immersing himself in every possible adventure. He followed his passion, earning a Bachelor of Science in range and wildlife management from Abilene Christian University and a Master of Science in natural resource management from Sul Ross State University with a thesis focused on feral pig poisons.

He has worked on private ranches with cow-calf operations, as well as extensive wildlife management operations. In the public sector, he held several internships with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and had a brief stint in university research. Grant was drawn to work at Shield Ranch in 2017 because of the owners’ conservation-focused approach and eco-centric mindset. He enjoys observing the land’s response to the various land management practices his team implements across the Ranches.

Grant resides at Shield Ranch Barton Creek with his wife, Hailey, and two sons Wyatt and Brayden. When he’s not working alongside his trusty Labrador retriever Pearl, he enjoys spending time with family, being an active member in wildlife conservation non-profit organizations, and always preparing for the next outdoor adventure.

Monica O’Hara, a native of Tomball, Texas, is a summer natural resource intern for Shield Ranch Barton Creek. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in rangeland management with a minor in agronomy at Texas A&M University. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has been named to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s List every semester. 

Monica brings hands-on experience in livestock care, crop production, invasive species control, and wildlife monitoring through her work at Whitehurst Farm, Rancho de las Hijas, and the Texas A&M Ecology and Natural Resources Teaching Area. She has also supported data collection and communications as an intern with West Texas Rangelands. 

As a Society for Range Management member, Monica has been awarded first place in plant identification and range management exams. She is CPR certified and chainsaw trained. Monica hopes to one day manage her own regenerative farm and grass-fed cattle operation. In her free time, she enjoys playing intramural soccer and piano.

Jennefer Rodriguez joined the Shield Ranch Foundation team as an administrative coordinator in January 2024. In her role, she supports community outreach and manages internal administrative functions with a focus on the technical aspects of database management for all foundation programming.

Dedicated to serving and advocating for others, she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from The University of Texas Permian Basin. Most recently, she served as an office manager and client care coordinator at Visiting Angels, a home healthcare provider in Abilene, Texas. Her experience also includes roles as a campus coordinator and data officer for Communities in Schools, and an investigator for the Texas Department of Families and Protective Services.

Returning to Shield Ranch represents a meaningful homecoming for Jennefer, who not only attended the inaugural Camp El Ranchito but later served as a dedicated counselor. Jennefer finds joy in spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, crafting, and has a passion for folk dancing and history. Born in Austin, she traveled through West and Central Texas with her husband Mathew, stepdaughter Alee, son Sonny, and their dogs before returning to the Austin area in 2024.

Ross Sultemeier, a native of Johnson City, Texas, is a natural resource intern for Shield Ranch Barton Creek. He is a senior at Tarleton State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in wildlife sustainability and natural resources with a concentration in wildlife ecology and management. He is also a member of the Tarleton Wildlife Society. 

Ross brings experience in both ranching and natural resource management. He operated chainsaws, stump grinders, wood chippers, and mini skid steers for Deadwood Tree Service. His experience also includes serving six years as a detention officer with the Blanco County Sheriff’s Office and working as a ranch hand at Circle S Ranch in Paint Rock, Texas, where he managed feeders, guided hunts, and supported brush control and fencing projects. 

Raised in the heart of the Hill Country, Ross participated in 4-H and FFA, raising livestock and competing in plant identification, livestock judging, and range judging events. He spent much of 
his time at his grandfather’s ranch in Blanco County, where his love for the outdoors and Texas ecosystems began. 

He is chainsaw trained, GIS-capable, and experienced in invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and native and exotic wildlife management. His long-term goal is to contribute to conservation and land management efforts that protect biodiversity and preserve Texas’ natural heritage. 

Chad Timmons joined the Shield Ranch Foundation team in January 2024 as its Campsite registration coordinator. He provides community outreach and registration support for Camp El Ranchito and the Campsite at Shield Ranch.

Chad earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in English from Texas State University. Previously, he worked as a conservation education specialist with Conservation Legacy for the Texas Wildlife Association. Chad grew up in Austin, Texas, and served as a high school educator for Austin Independent School District for 13 years. He is a certified interpretive guide, a Texas Master Naturalist, and fluent in Spanish.

During his free time, Chad enjoys fly fishing, birding, amateur radio, and spending quality time with his family. He lives in Austin with his spouse Adrianna, and two children, Jonah and Ezra.