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 head cook, 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.

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.

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.

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 at the Texas Wildlife Association where he led land, water, and wildlife expeditions. 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 family. He lives in Austin with his spouse Adrianna, and two children, Jonah and Ezra.