Employees & Volunteers

Dr. Brian J. Miller - Founding Scientist and Trustee

Brian received a Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming in behavioral ecology and conservation of black-footed ferrets and then was awarded a Smithsonian Institution Fellowship at their Conservation and Research Center. Brian worked with the conservation of the endangered black-footed ferret for a decade, then lived in Mexico for five years beginning an ongoing research project on jaguars and pumas in the dry tropical forest of Jalisco, Mexico. After seven years as a Coordinator of Conservation and Research at the Denver Zoological Foundation, Brian accepted a position to develop conservation and education programs at the Wind River Ranch Foundation. His main research interest concerns the role of highly interactive species (keystones) in regulating ecosystem processes, and how to improve protection for those species when designing reserves. He has published 95 scientific articles, seven books, and has been on the board of five conservation organizations.  In 2009 he was given the Denver Zoo’s Annual Conservation Award.

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 Teresa Eaker Gray - MSW – Director of Wind River Ranch Foundation

Teresa grew up immersed in the ecological diversity of Southeastern New Mexico, where nature served as an inspiration for respectful cohabitation with the natural world. She was an only child, but was raised in a house with extended family, including many young aunts and uncles. More…
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Danny Sam – Bison Manager/SW Tribal Bison Consultant

Danny Sam is an enrolled member of the Dine Tribe (Navajo Nation). His paternal clan is Ashiihi (Salt People), his maternal clan is Tabaaha (Waters Edge People). He lives at Picuris Pueblo, NM for the last 30 years along with his wife Joey. He has two sons, two daughters and three grandsons. Picuris Pueblo is a Tewa speaking Tribe located 25 miles south of Taos, in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. 

His Tewa name is Kii Pii ene (Red Feather). He has worked with bison  for the last 15 years managing up to as many as 100 head of bison. He held the position of secretary for a national organization call the Inter-Tribal Buffalo Council or ITBC. ITBC is a Native American organization made up of 57 tribes from 19 different states. 
Danny is now responsible for the management of Wind River’s cooperative herd and offers support to tribes who are beginning to develop bison programs for cultural, ecological, and nutritional benefits.

 

Abram Bolivar CasiasFacilities Manager

‘Boli’ was born in Taos, New Mexico. He is a native New Mexican. He moved to the Las vegas area 25 years ago. He and his wife, Epi, make their home in Sapello, when he is not taking care of the Wind River Ranch.

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Norma ArchuletaFacilities/Maintenance

Norma is a native New Mexican and the newest addition to the Wind River Ranch team. She grew up in Southeastern New Mexico. Norma enjoys being outdoors, caring for animals and people. She enjoys spending much of her free time with her grandchildren.
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Bonnie EggerAccountant

Bonnie Egger is a native New Mexican, raised in Springer. Her family ranch borders Wind River Ranch on the Southeast side. She and her husband Skeet, have been ranchers on the Mora River Valley for decades. Her interests include spending time with her two sons Jesse and Aaron and her grand kids. Bonnie has brought invaluable experience not only in accounting but also ranching, agriculture and knowledge of the community to Wind River Ranch.

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