Meet The Team

Owner, Sweetgrass Ranch

Rick Steiner

Rick Steiner is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer, former aerospace executive, and until recently, the owner of a middle market aviation manufacturing firm. He is also an avid sporting clays shooter, upland bird and big game hunter. Sweetgrass Ranch is his passion and the subject of his efforts to create a world class working and sporting ranch. Sweetgrass Ranch offers some of the finest upland bird shooting in the nation and an incredible sporting clays course and shooting complex, all set in a magnificent piece of Wyoming habitat. Sweetgrass Ranch also beautifully showcases and honors the history and traditions of the American West. 

Owner, Sweetgrass at Thunderbasin

Deirdre Wildman

Deirdre moved to Sweetgrass with over 20 years of diverse experience in the hospitality industry. From custom catering, to restaurant ownership, to global event production, Deirdre's experience and love of the outdoors make Sweetgrass the perfect home. A proud conservationist and hunter, she exhibits love for sustainable food resources, and contributes hunt to table food articles regularly for publication. As owner of Chrysalis Hospitality, she manages every operational element. In addition, she wears the hat of gardener, farmer, beekeeper, "coop" wrangler, and chef, and paves the way for authentic, ranch to table culinary experiences. A detail-driven hospitalitarian she curates the five-star guest experience at the ranch, down to the last fork.

Ranch Manager

Brian Thomas

A former medal of valor awarded Sherriff's Deputy, Brian has a love of the ranch, outdoors, hunting, guiding, and especially treasures snow removal. Brian manages the wheel of the ranch and all the spokes that make it roll. Dedicated to regenerative agriculture, wildlife management and conservation, Brian embodies the Western spirit, and truly rides for the Sweetgrass brand. 

Estate Coordinator

Katie Thomas

Katie wears many hats at Sweetgrass. From office administration to maintaining cabins to providing care to horses, chickens and livestock she supports all aspects of guest experiences right down to her amazing cheesecake. A former sheriff's deputy and hostage negotiator with more than a decade of ranch experience, she truly is the jack of all trades. 

Hunting Corgi

Barkley

Known as the best dog in the whole world, Barkley loves flushing birds, chasing rabbits, and riding in the ranger. 

General Nuisance

The Bandit

This blue-eyed trouble seeker has a number of nick-names... just use your imagination. He has a 4' vertical jump, is super-fast and can melt your heart with one look.

Sweetgrass at Thunderbasin/

Chrysalis Hospitality

Julie Mallon

Julie manages the business and customer service aspects of Sweetgrass event activations. An experienced fund-raiser, with decades of experience in non-profit fund development, she changed careers (some rumors say, at gunpoint) and started Chrysalis Hospitality with Deirdre. After nearly 7 years working off-premise events around the globe, Julie is the Chief Operating Officer of Chrysalis Hospitality, dba Sweetgrass at Thunderbasin. 

Sweetgrass at Thunderbasin/

Chrysalis Hospitality

Kayla MIllsap

As a St. Louis native, Kayla relocated to Colorado mid-2021 and began working with Chrysalis Hospitality shortly after she dove into events. Once she got a taste of the event world, there was no turning back. With a background in hospitality for nearly a decade, she strives to provide top-notch experiences from dining to entertainment. As the Public Relations Coordinator, Kayla establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relations between organizations and the public.