Live Water Properties Philosophy

Alex Maher began his real estate career in May of 1998 with Coldwell Banker in Jackson Hole, where he created the niche business for fly fishing properties and created a website called flyfishingproperties.com (presently forwards into this site). Mr. Maher earned Top Producers honors in 1999 and 2000 before founding Live Water Properties, LLC with partners Bill Healey and Macye Maher. Responsible broker of the firm and overseeing the growing sales and service team, Mr. Maher is also personally credited with over $140M in sales volume in the past three years.

Mr. Maher grew up splitting recreational time between his hometown of Mobile, Alabama, family retreats on the eastern shore of Maryland, and college explorations in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Various bass ponds, the Chesapeake Bay, Alabama river swamps, the Gulf of Mexico, and Virginia trout streams taught Mr. Maher the joys of hunting and fishing pursuits. Two years work with the Orvis Company provided hands on experience in the fly fishing and bird hunting business, and constant travels to surrounding rivers, prairies, and forests continually add to his knowledge of our Rocky Mountain regions and their ecosystems.

Mr. Maher chose to spend his time and effort in his real estate career dealing with fly fishing, hunting, and recreational ranch properties exclusively. His knowledge of the acquisition process, the management, enhancement, and ecological importance of individual properties proves essential for present and future landowners. Mr. Maher's interest in preserving habitat has translated into numerous ranch sales to conservation buyers who are enhancing habitat and preserving our western landscapes.

Mr. Maher's community involvement includes successful work with various regional land trusts in establishing conservation easements on ranches, mentoring lower school children, and serving as an officer with Jackson Hole Trout Unlimited (JHTU). JHTU's efforts result in the restoration and enhancement of several crucial spawning streams for Jackson Hole's native Snake River fine spotted cutthroat trout.

Disciplined research and constant environmental study have opened doors beyond Mr. Maher's home forests and waters in the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Maher's travels and property research in Argentina, Chile and New Zealand have paved a clear path for the discerning buyer with the world's finest fly fishing and hunting destinations in mind.

Cell: 307-690-5211

William P. Healey was raised on the East Coast and received a degree in Economics before heading west to begin a professional career in commercial banking which lasted six years. Subsequently he became a commercial real estate developer and broker. For over 30 years he successfully developed over 5,000,000 square feet of commercial projects in California, with a valuation exceeding one billion dollars. While conducting an intense personal search for the "last best property" for many years throughout the West, he gained great insight into how to search out and select the "right property"; this he translated into the creation of a "road map" for others to follow. His "road map" and personal guidance will enable you to acquire, by the most expeditious and timely route, your dream ranch. Mr. Healey's own "last best" properties became a gentleman's ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and a recreational ranch in Sun Valley, Idaho. The experiences he gained in locating and acquiring those properties, together with his "road map" has enabled him to assist others in acquiring recreational ranch type properties. This has led to his decision to complete his real estate career by assisting buyers in fulfilling their Ranch, Recreational and Resort Property Dreams. Although he was raised in the East, he has become a true Westerner by living in the area for 40 years and knows the West intimately. He has traveled it widely in search of property, fishing, and on the trail of western art treasures.

Bill’s fishing excursions have stretched well beyond the West. He has pursued “the big one” in Argentina, Chile, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and throughout the United States. As a resident of Jackson, Bill is involved in numerous community organizations including being a Board Member of the Community Center for the Arts, Yellowstone National Art Trust and First Interstate Bank. Additionally, he is an Advisory Board Member of the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana, and major supporter of Trout Unlimited in Jackson, Wyoming.

Macye was raised on southern traditions and recreational bliss amidst Virginia's blessed Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, VA. Her family's adventurous travels to many Rocky Mountain resorts was infectious and sent her to Alaska one summer and Jackson Hole for another during her four college years in Charlottesville, VA. She developed an eye for detail and began writing, inspired by views, spaciousness and people. A business degree accompanied Macye Lavinder to a cosmopolitan lifestyle in Atlanta working with a big six accounting firm. Two years of living for vacations rattled the cage, and Macye Lavinder quickly found herself hiking and biking on the weekends again alive in Jackson Hole. Her Atlanta experience included extensive fund raising efforts for The United Way and weekly volunteer counseling children of divorced parents with a growing national group called Rainbows. Macye Lavinder's move to Jackson Hole had left the children behind. She missed the rewarding experience and set to work raising money in Jackson and persuading the Community Foundation and other local entities of the value of Rainbows. She succeeded. The program is now in its eleventh year, and she spends precious time assisting the children as they learn to cope and focus on the positive changes in their new lives. Macye Lavinder currently employs both her business background and literary talent managing the dynamic team at Live Water Properties. She's become an accomplished fly angler, traveling around the world with fly rods in tote with her best friend, her husband Alex Maher. She was proud to be a team member to Ladies of the Long Rod, as they fished in the Jackson Hole One Fly competition. She has just completed her first novel, which she hopes to revise and work towards publishing. Macye and Alex are blessed with a son and daughter.  Their son is three and has already experienced the South Island of New Zealand twice, as well as trips to Tahiti, Belize and the Bahamas.  Their newborn daughter will hopefully follow in the family’s love of exotic travel.

Cell: 307-350-5382

Terry Fieseler grew up in Texas, where he learned to appreciate the outdoors through hunting, fishing, and raising horses and cattle. After a couple of hunting trips to Wyoming, he decided this was the place he would like to live. Terry settled in Rock Springs in 1979, where he still lives today with his wife, Valerie, and sons, Jake and Troy. Living in the Red Desert, just a few miles from the Green River and the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, has offered countless opportunities for Terry Fieseler and his family to enjoy their love for the outdoors, hunting and fishing. This passion for hunting eventually led Terry to become a hunting guide. He has spent the last 20 years helping others fulfill their dreams in the pursuit of big game. He is in his ninth year operating his own outfitting business located between Jackson Hole and Pinedale. Terry also guides a few bird hunters during the winter months with his German Shorthair Pointers. He was a partner in a 350 head cattle and guest ranch. This ranching and recreational business provided Terry the opportunity to address numerous environmental, grazing and wildlife habitat issues. He enjoyed meeting many people from around the world, and giving them the chance to learn first-hand about ranching. Terry has been very involved with 4-H in his local community as a leader for one of the market lamb clubs, and he has served on the 4-H Leader Council and the 4-H Foundation for Sweetwater County. He is a life member in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Rifle Association, Dallas Safari Club and the Bowhunters of Wyoming. Terry has been a past board member for his local Trout Unlimited chapter; and banquet committee member for Ducks Unlimited. He also is a past president of Bowhunters of Wyoming. Terry’s son, Jake plays a fiddle and competes in contests around the western states. This led Terry to become involved with the Wyoming Old Time Fiddlers Association, where he served as Vice President for 2 years followed by Presidency for 2 additional years. Terry's diverse background and experience with wildlife and livestock issues as well as working with agencies such as the Game and Fish and BLM prove invaluable to the prospective ranch/recreational buyer as well as ranchers wanting to list their properties.

Cell: 307-413-2180

Tate Jarry grew up in the mountains of New Hampshire, where he learned the strong New England values from his family and their innate passion for the outdoors. He grew up hiking the inspiring White Mountains and exploring the rivers, lakes, and ponds that sprinkle the diverse landscape of the state. The Upper Valley region, famous for the Connecticut River, Dartmouth College, and the abundant outdoor life, which caters to skiing, hiking, rock climbing, fishing and biking, was his home. His enthusiasm for the outdoors led him to Jackson area in the fall of 1997, following his graduation from the University of New Hampshire, majoring in Political Science. In the time since he arrived, Tate has devoted his time to studying and enjoying the opportunities that abound the local fly fisherman. The rivers and streams of the area have created a fresh and exciting passion in his life. In his spare time, Tate is usually running the rivers in the lower Southwest Montana region, in particular the Madison. Tate's interest in both the outdoors and real estate has led him to Live Water Properties, where he will unquestionably add his extensive knowledge of area fisheries. As a team leader and an observant teacher and student, Tate is skilled at taking the methodical approach to his life and his work.

"After thoroughly investigating my 2,220 acre ranch in Idaho, Live Water sold the property in six months. Tate Jarry, my broker, and the entire staff were very professional and responsive to my needs and questions. Potential buyers were qualified, and showings were coordinated and professional.

Live Water has the experience in fishing, hunting, and conservation issues to present my ranch in a realistic and positive light. Live Water was willing to commit the advertising resources and personal time of their multiple offices to get the ranch in front of potential buyers. They have the horsepower and knowledge of the Intermountain West to get things done for their clients. I am very happy with Live Water’s performance."

~ Frank Scarborough

Cell: 307-413-7306

In 2004 and after ten years, Steve Robertson has decided to leave his good friends at Sotheby’s International Realty and join Live Water Properties. A Wyoming native, raised on a small cattle ranch in Jackson Hole, Steve attended college at Montana State University. There he studied Pre Veterinary Medicine and Agricultural Business. In 1977, Steve moved to the Hoback Basin and started a guide and outfitter service. In time this business expanded and now includes ranching and livestock. In 1989, Steve became involved in real estate. With his background and experience he excels in ranch and recreation property brokerage.

Steve admires the character and humor spawned by lifestyles of the stock grower and rancher. He enjoys working cattle on his saddle horse. Steve’s therapy is the quiet enjoyment of the back country and keeping our wild lands and wilderness away from the intrusion of motors and crowds.

While growing up in the piedmont of North Carolina, Brian Hartley spent considerable time fishing the lakes and streams of the Blue Ridge Mountains. His love of fly fishing developed while landing largemouth bass near golf courses and in farm ponds and later led him to explore the pristine rivers of British Columbia and the fishing meccas of the Bahamas. Upon graduation from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, Brian followed his fascination with the west and spent several years as a fly fishing sales specialist at an Orvis affiliated shop at Lake Tahoe. After fishing every corner of the High Sierras, Brian made the big-city move to pursue an interest in commercial real estate. He worked as an analyst with a retail specific brokerage team with Marcus & Millichap in San Francisco where he soon advanced into the role of Team Escrow Manager. It is in this capacity that he developed a strong ability to handle the issues related to transactional management and client relations; strengths that will be assets for the Live Water Team and clientele.

Cell: 307-699-3415

As a fourth generation Jackson native, John Turner grew up fishing and hunting in the mountains of northwest Wyoming. Growing up on his family’s dude ranch, the Triangle X, John spent his summers guiding fishermen and hunters in the Teton wilderness, being named Guide of the Year in 1992. He continued his affair with the outdoors through his college years, exploring the streams and mountains of southern Wyoming and northern Colorado, while attending the University of Wyoming and earning a B.S. in Economics. After college, John spent a few years in the eastern U.S. where he got his first taste of the real estate business. After learning the trade in the Washington D.C. and Nashville markets, John and his wife Laura moved back to Jackson in 1995 to help manage and run the Triangle X Ranch.

Twelve years later, he has stepped back into the business with Live Water Properties. “It was Live Water’s commitment to recreational properties, not just the marketing and selling, but the conserving, enhancing and protecting of these properties that made me want to be a part of this Team.” John’s experience in the Wyoming ranching community and vast experience in ranch operations, along with his lifetime of guiding, is an ideal fit with Live Water Properties’ commitment to becoming the premier real estate company for recreational properties in the West.

Cell: 404-683-6583

Jane North Brown is a born and bred Southerner, however grew up all over the country as the daughter of a “General Electric” corporate nomad. Her educational background is extensive, earning a Bachelors of Arts from Transylvania University, a Masters in Political Science from American University and a J.D. with Honors from Emory University School of Law. Jane has pursued a myriad of professional passions including corporate and securities attorney, thoroughbred racing and breeding company-owner, entrepreneur, real estate investor and real estate agent. She began visiting Jackson Hole in 1987 and now with three teenage children actively hunts, shoots, fishes, skis and explores the Greater Yellowstone basin. Licensed in real estate for Wyoming and Georgia, Jane divides her time between Atlanta, the low-country of South Carolina, Jackson Hole, WY, and Paradise Valley, MT.

Kelly Anne Rigby grew up on the banks of the White River in northwest Arkansas and has carried her southern manner and traditions on her worldwide travels. She attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and earned a degree in Journalism - Advertising/Public Relations in December 2000. By interning for the Arkansas Secretary of State during her summer breaks, she gained experience in the Communications and Education division and accepted a full-time position after graduation. Wanting to explore opportunities outside of the poltical world and following a restless spirit, Kelly traveled out West for a month-long break that turned into a new place to call home. When she is not exploring the surrounding mountains by foot or skis, she can be found on the courts perfecting her serve, volunteering in the local arts community or planning her next adventure. As Marketing Director, she strives to bring the Live Water name to the forefront of the ranch brokerage market by using her organizational skills, aesthetic design and creative nature.

Originally from South Carolina, Caroline Kelm has made her way to Jackson Hole a few times. Caroline graduated from the College of Charleston in 2000 with a BA in media communications and a year later decided to move out West to Jackson Hole. After skiing and living the good life for a year and a half, Caroline returned to Charleston where she began a career in event planning. She worked for Soiree, Inc., a high-end wedding planning company, and then for two years as the event coordinator of McCrady’s, a fine dining restaurant in downtown Charleston.

After purchasing a home in the coastal town, Caroline discovered a new interest and passion for real estate. Becoming licensed and joining Prudential Carolina Real Estate, Caroline worked with clients helping them buy and sell houses for nearly two years while earning the title of top selling agent of her office in August 2007. She and her husband, Dax Kelm, became engaged and decided to move back to the mountains and the fresh air of Jackson Hole. Caroline continued working as a real estate agent with Teton Village Realty before joining Live Water Properties as the Jackson office administrator. Caroline and her husband reside in east Jackson with their two dogs, Stella and Clifford.

Ken Neal has held his real estate license since 1972, working as an independent broker prior to joining Live Water Properties in 2008. Majoring in Wildlife Biology at the University of Wyoming, Ken used this knowledge in his career as he managed, operated and owned multiple properties including dude ranches, cattle ranches and outfitters. Ken has been a member of the National Dude Ranchers Associations since 1970 and has acted as President and Chairman of the Educational Trust in addition to serving on their National Board of Directors. A third generation Wyomingite, he enjoys pack trips, traveling and exploring western ranches. Ken has been married for nearly 45 years and resides with his wife Garey in Dubois.

Cell: 307-413-3582

Born and raised in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Matthew MacMillan comes to his love for and respect of wildlife and outdoor pursuits naturally. An undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Wildlife Management from the University of New Hampshire has provided the perfect foundation for life in Jackson Hole. After receiving his degree in 1996, Matt headed to Jackson to follow his passion for fishing, hunting and skiing. A few years of seasonal occupation afforded him the opportunity to truly get to know the wider world of the northern Rockies and he soon realized that he wanted to put his roots down in this special place. Beginning his real estate career in 1999, Matt gained experience in both residential and commercial sales as well as land development. Since 1999 Matt also obtained his Brokers license and managed an office for a local firm prior to joining Live Water. While understanding and appreciating the necessity of growth and development in a growing community, he has become increasingly concerned about the vanishing wilderness and open areas and his interest in real estate has evolved in a desire to aid in the preservation of the land and streams and the protection of wildlife and native fish. Matt joined Live Water Properties in June of 2005. In his first full year at Live Water, he closed 19 transactions for a total of $29 million in sales volume. Matt believes that selling fishing, hunting and recreational ranch properties is the best of both worlds. It gives him the opportunity to have a hand in conserving our precious trout streams and wild places while providing invaluable insight to buyers from around the world who are often purchasing their dream property. Matt now lives in Teton Valley with his wife Sarah and two daughters, Avery and Kylie.

Growing up in Minnesota, Andrea Loban fostered a love of lakes and the great outdoors. Learning came by way of canoe trips on the Boundary Waters and summers on the Mississippi Headwaters. Formally, she attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, obtaining her degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Durango, Colorado, and Oregon were two places that catapulted her spirit, where she spent time teaching climbing, mountaineering and exploring as a river guide. Deciding to poke further into Jackson Hole, Andrea commenced her real estate career. Through a two year marketing position, Andrea aided a high-end residential realtor by producing quality advertising designs. She was learning the benefits of networking and building the strongest reputation possible, deciding then to follow into sales herself. Finally, Andrea transitioned to Teton Valley, Idaho, just over the pass from Jackson Hole. Here, she has settled with her husband Jeff, their two dogs, and they enjoy roaming the Big Holes, hiking, biking and skiing. In all that she does, Andrea prides herself on working in the best interest of buyers and sellers and keeping up with the issues that encapsulate this growing community—Victor, Driggs, Alta, Targhee and Tetonia. As a qualified real estate broker, she looks forward to servicing your Teton Valley resort needs.

Cell: 307-690-6375

Originally from Colombia, South America, Carlos grew up in Chattanooga, TN, where from an early age he learned to appreciate and indulge in all that the outdoors had to offer. As an avid fly fisherman, Carlos spent a great deal of his time fishing the eastern streams of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the Great Smokey Mountains. Following his graduation from the University of Tennessee as a double major with a degree in Economics and Spanish, his passion for fishing, hunting and the outdoors in general, would later take him to the bigger waters of the Rocky Mountain West. Upon his arrival, Carlos attended the Professional Western Rivers Guide School hosted by World Cast Anglers, where he was immediately offered a position on their guide staff upon completion of the course. Carlos has spent the last eight years guiding the trophy trout streams of Wyoming, which include the streams of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks as well as the Snake River, Green River, New Fork, and Salt River. In addition to Wyoming, Carlos spent a great deal of his seasons on the South Fork of the Snake and the Teton River. Carlos joined the crew at Live Water in 2004 where it was evident that his passion for waterfowl, upland bird hunting, and his extensive knowledge with regard to the fisheries of the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem made him an invaluable component to the Live Water team, as well as a great source of knowledge for anyone interested in making a ranch in the Rocky Mountain West a part of their life. He is licensed in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Carlos now resides in Teton Valley, Idaho with his wife Hilary, two sons -Samuel and Henry - their two bird dogs, three horses and fat cat.

Cell: 406-580-5830

Craig Janssen joins the Live Water team with five years of Montana ranch and recreational real estate experience specializing in trout fishing and bird hunting properties. He lives in Bozeman with his wife and two children.

Originally from western Kansas, Craig moved to Bozeman in 1988 to complete his college education at Montana State, where he earned a degree in Political Science and Philosophy. Although college brought him to southwest Montana, the trout fishing, bird and big game hunting has kept him here. Before deciding on a career in ranch real estate, Craig worked in the fly fishing industry for 15 years. This gives him understanding and insight into the many world-class fisheries located in the Northern Rockies. Craig has experience with virtually all of the well known streams and rivers in the region, but his real passion is finding, fishing and selling the undiscovered properties and fisheries off the beaten path.

An ardent hunter, Craig spends a considerable amount of time in the field during each fall with his two setters chasing pheasants, Hungarian partridge and Sharp-tailed grouse. Craig also has extensive experience hunting waterfowl, deer, elk, Pronghorn antelope, Bighorn sheep, moose and Rocky Mountain goats.

Craig grew up on a wheat farm, where his father ran a small cattle and horse operation. This agricultural background has assisted Craig when selling farm and ranch real estate. He has considerable knowledge of matters pertaining to crop potential, soils, water rights, irrigation practices, and various Government programs that aid landowners with production, conservation and wildlife issues.

Cell: 406-600-4900

Live Water Properties would like to welcome Jeff Wiley as the newest sales associate to the ranch brokerage team. Jeff was born and raised in Northwest Pennsylvania and spent his youth fishing the streams and tributaries of Lake Erie. As a boy, he dreamed of fishing the famous waters of the west. He obtained his chance after completing his college years in New York state and heading to Denver, Colorado. A successful 22-year career in telecommunications, including 10 years at Time Warner Telecom, afforded Jeff the opportunity to follow his passion to live and work in the fly fishing mecca of the states. During his time in Denver, Jeff made a habit of fishing Montana’s river 3-4 times annually, building up front-hand knowledge of the state’s best waters. As a sales agent in the newly opened Bozeman office, Jeff looks forward to assisting people in finding their dream property and living the western lifestyle.

Cell: 406-459-4036

Montana native Bob Kiesling has traveled to and explored enough other places on the planet to have figured out that the northern Rockies and plains are home. As Wallace Stegner has written, “If you don't know where you are, you don't know who you are.” Having figured out the compelling importance of place, in the 1970s Bob decided to make a career of conserving the last best places of this region. He secured an MS in Environmental Sciences from the University of Montana, worked on natural resource and environmental policy issues as Executive Director of the Montana Environmental Information Center for several years, and then he became a roving field representative for The Nature Conservancy in the Pacific Northwest. Shortly into this endeavor, Bob established the Conservancy's Big Sky Field Office, handling species and habitat conservation projects in Montana and Wyoming.

During fifteen years of experience in the non-profit sector, Bob realized the efforts of government and the laudable initiatives of conservation organizations combined could not achieve the levels of conservation needed to retain the integrity of the fisheries and wildlife habitat of the region. With the notion of expanding the tools available, he and other partners launched a conservation real estate brokerage in the early 1990s. Later, he undertook another entrepreneurial start-up specializing in conservation brokerage and consulting. Bob extends his passion by teaching graduate students conservation strategies in the Environmental Studies program at the University of Montana.

These early ventures in conservation real estate brokerage became precedent in the United States.

Happily, there has followed a growing understanding in ranch and rural real estate markets that conservation can be an integral component of land transactions. Experience has shown that the intelligent use of conservation easements, tax incentives, charitable giving, estate planning, land use planning, and well-designed stewardship can integrate to create win-win transactions in real estate. What is good for buyers and sellers can often be of permanent benefit to the landscapes we know and cherish.

With conservation real estate still in its infancy, Bob recognizes opportunities for synergy and imagines yet more conservation results throughout the region by associating with Live Water Properties. The experience and skill sets he brings to the company match well with the philosophy and talents of the Live Water team.

Cell: 406-539-3582

Bill Bryan holds a Ph.D. in resource planning and conservation from the University of Michigan, was the Founder and Executive Director of the Northern Rockies Action Group, providing technical organizational assistance for cause-oriented nonprofits in the Rocky Mountain West from 1973-1982.
 
Currently, Bill is the co-founder and executive director of the Rural Landscape Institute: A Catalyst for Food and Agricultural Integrity in the American West, whose mission is to increase the economic viability of farms and ranches, thereby enhancing the health of the land, open space and rural communities. Creating and implementing a seven-state cooperative marketing association, booking service and resource center for agritourism suppliers and customers is of highest priority for the Institute. They operate as a non-profit support group for agricultural organizations and interests in the region.
 
Bill is also the Chairman of Off the Beaten Path, LLC, a premier travel planning service specializing in planning highly personalized trips for over 23 years to the Rocky Mountain West, Desert Southwest, Alaska and Patagonia. Bryan is the senior author of Sharing Your Home on the Range, a “how to” book for hospitality providers in farm and recreation (published 1991) and is the author of Montana Indians: Yesterday and Today, published in 1986 and again in 1996.
 
Bill is immediate past-President of the Board of the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman and serves on 11 boards and planning councils on a regional and national level. For the last eighteen years, Bryan has consulted with over 1,000 family farmers and ranchers in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Arizona on farm and ranch recreation. Bryan also has been a project director for two federally-funded grants related to farm and ranch recreation directed by the Extension Service at the University of Wyoming.
 
Bryan is asked on a regular basis to speak on tourism trends, particularly as they relate to custom travel in rural areas of North America.  Bill also acts as a consultant to tourism providers and natural resource organizations specializing in the areas of marketing, pricing, site assessment, and appropriate tourism practices, as well as national tourism trends and how they impact the future in tourism particularly in the regions in which Off the Beaten Path operates. 
 

Cell: 971-645-1515

Ryland Moore has been assisting landowners with real estate and water right transactions in Oregon and throughout the West since 1999. He served as the Managing Director of the McKenzie River Trust in Eugene, Oregon, where he transferred over 2,500 acres of land along the famed McKenzie River for the purposes of permanent protection. Ryland also served as the Project Manager for the Oregon Water Trust and negotiated the lease or acquisition of over 50,000 acre-feet of water instream for fish and wildlife throughout Oregon. And he now serves as the Transactions Manager for a private water acquisition and valuation firm representing private parties, municipalities, and private equity in the location, negotiation, and acquisition of water assets throughout the western United States.

Ryland grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia. He spent his time with family hunting ducks and geese on the eastern shore of Maryland and fishing for trout, bass, and pickerel in western Virginia’s diverse rivers and mountain streams. After receiving a degree in Natural Resources and Economics from the University of the South (Sewanee), Ryland ventured West and obtained a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning.

Deciding what to do on the weekends in Oregon is a tough decision for Ryland. Whether it is chasing winter steelhead on the coast, floating the Deschutes River for massive redsides on the fly, hunting the four species of upland birds, fishing for tuna off the Oregon coast, or jumping ducks and geese on the Pacific flyway, there is never a shortage of options.

Ryland has spent a considerable amount of time throughout the states of Oregon, northern California and Washington through his vocations and avocations. His work has allowed him to negotiate with many of the largest land and water right holders in the region. Because of his experience with the ranching community and his expertise in land conservation, landowner incentive programs, and water rights due diligence and negotiation, Ryland is a wonderful complement to the Live Water Team. Ryland lives with his wife, Brittany, and their English Pointer, Lizzie, in Portland.

John C. Tozzi grew up in Marin County, California, in the shadow of Mt. Tamalpais, and was drawn to outdoor sports from a young age. He spent his free time exploring Mt. Tam, the Sierras and other recreational areas throughout California and the West. Whether it is climbing, hiking, mountain biking or skiing, John always strives to excel at new sports. In 1995 on a trip to the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming, he learned to fly-fish and instantly became hooked. John quickly learned that fly fishing was not only a great “rest day” activity while taking a day off from climbing, but a challenging and rewarding endeavor.

John graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in Economics in 1996 and immediately began working in the financial industry for San Francisco-based investment management firm, Cambridge Investments Limited. In 2002, after earning an MBA with honors from The University of Michigan Business School, John moved to Jackson to manage a satellite office for Cambridge. John’s interest in real estate was piqued while attending graduate school and he earned his real estate sales license in order to become more involved in the business. John continues to split his professional time between the financial and real estate industries.

John is an outgoing individual with an entrepreneurial spirit that shines in whatever he sets his mind to. He has always been driven to succeed in his career, while balancing his dream for a great quality of life. Living in Jackson Hole allows John and his wife, Meaghan to be able to live and work in an environment conducive to pursuing outdoor activities and enjoying the natural beauty of Jackson’s mountain environment.

Dan Vermillion was raised on the banks of Yellowstone River in Montana. After spending years guiding some of the world’s most exotic and famed fisheries, Dan formed Sweetwater Travel with his brothers, Jeff and Pat Vermillion. Sweetwater Travel is based in Livingston, Montana and owns and operates fishing camps in Mongolia, Brazil, Alaska, British Columbia, French Polynesia and Montana. Sweetwater’s camps have established a new standard for high level of service in pristine, wilderness settings. Through his experiences as a guide and lodge owner, Dan has developed a passion for conserving the world’s finest fisheries habitat. Through his past employment with the Nature Conservancy, and his present involvement with an International Finance Corporation grant to protect Mongolia’s Taimen fishery, Dan has been actively involved with fisheries conservation throughout the world. Dan also has a law degree from the University of Montana which lends additional skills to his customer service portfolio. Along with his law degree and legal experience that included drafting of conservation easements and complex transactional documents, Dan’s unique combination of skills allows him to provide quality advice to the prospective ranch purchasers. Recently, Dan has been appointed to state Fish, Wildlife, and Parks committee by Governor Brian Schweitzer and is working to ensure healthy fish and wildlife populations for generations to come. This diversity of experience allows Dan can assess both the Fish and Wildlife resources of a property from both a sport-fishing perspective and conservation perspective.