Management
Leigh Ann Wolfe - President
Leigh Ann is the daughter of Russ and Marian Wolfe, the founders of the world famous Flying W Ranch. Leigh Ann was raised on the Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs and graduated from Colorado State University.
The Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs was a working cattle ranch of over 1400 acres and the home to the Chuckwagon hospitality business. Over its 60 year life the Chuckwagon business of the Flying W Ranch provided food and entertainment to over six million people. On June 26, 2012, the Waldo Canyon fire destroyed 19 of the 20 buildings that comprised the Chuckwagon hospitality business, and burned over 1000 acres of Flying W Ranch land. The Waldo Canyon fire devastated the Flying W Ranch and thrust Leigh Ann into the forestry business.
As the owner of the Flying W Ranch Leigh Ann began working with Markit! Forestry Management on post-fire rehabilitation of the Flying W Ranch's land, which led her to purchase a majority interest in the company.
Leigh Ann's passions are to work through Markit! Forestry Management to restore forest lands destroyed by fire, and to help restore healthy and fire-resistant forests so that other people don't have to experience the loss of their land and property as she has.
Leigh Ann is the daughter of Russ and Marian Wolfe, the founders of the world famous Flying W Ranch. Leigh Ann was raised on the Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs and graduated from Colorado State University.
The Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs was a working cattle ranch of over 1400 acres and the home to the Chuckwagon hospitality business. Over its 60 year life the Chuckwagon business of the Flying W Ranch provided food and entertainment to over six million people. On June 26, 2012, the Waldo Canyon fire destroyed 19 of the 20 buildings that comprised the Chuckwagon hospitality business, and burned over 1000 acres of Flying W Ranch land. The Waldo Canyon fire devastated the Flying W Ranch and thrust Leigh Ann into the forestry business.
As the owner of the Flying W Ranch Leigh Ann began working with Markit! Forestry Management on post-fire rehabilitation of the Flying W Ranch's land, which led her to purchase a majority interest in the company.
Leigh Ann's passions are to work through Markit! Forestry Management to restore forest lands destroyed by fire, and to help restore healthy and fire-resistant forests so that other people don't have to experience the loss of their land and property as she has.
Alyssa J. Priest - Chief Administrative Officer
Alyssa is the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Markit! Forestry Management. As the Chief Administrative
Officer, Alyssa is responsible for the Finance, Accounting, Human Resources and Project Management functions of Markit! Forestry Management. Alyssa joined Markit! Forestry Management in January 2015.
Alyssa has twenty years of diverse business experience in both Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startup companies. She has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, with a major in Accounting. Alyssa's business experience includes auditing for Ernst & Young LLP and senior finance management positions at T-Mobile USA and EMC.
Alyssa primarily grew up in Wisconsin, and lived and worked for a number of years in Chicago and in Seattle. Alyssa and her family moved to Colorado Springs in 2014, and she welcomed the opportunity to work in a business devoted to preserving and enhancing the forests and natural resources throughout Colorado and the western United States.
Alyssa is the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Markit! Forestry Management. As the Chief Administrative
Officer, Alyssa is responsible for the Finance, Accounting, Human Resources and Project Management functions of Markit! Forestry Management. Alyssa joined Markit! Forestry Management in January 2015.
Alyssa has twenty years of diverse business experience in both Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startup companies. She has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, with a major in Accounting. Alyssa's business experience includes auditing for Ernst & Young LLP and senior finance management positions at T-Mobile USA and EMC.
Alyssa primarily grew up in Wisconsin, and lived and worked for a number of years in Chicago and in Seattle. Alyssa and her family moved to Colorado Springs in 2014, and she welcomed the opportunity to work in a business devoted to preserving and enhancing the forests and natural resources throughout Colorado and the western United States.
Bradley G. Christiansen - Vice President of Operations
Brad Christiansen is the Vice President of Operations for Markit! Forestry Management. As the Vice President of Operations, Brad oversees the deployment of Markit! Forestry Management's people and equipment to execute forestry projects across the southwest United States. Brad is also responsible for the maintenance and logistics of all of Markit! Forestry Management's equipment, and is responsible for assuring that all of Markit! Forestry Management's projects are executed efficiently and in accord with the highest safety and environmental standards. Brad joined Markit! Forestry Management in January 2020.
With more than 30 years of professional experience, Brad has managed large construction projects across the western United States and overseas, and he has held management positions at Highway Supply, LLC, Kiewit Corporation, SEMA Corporation, and Laguna Construction Company, Inc. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a civil specialty and an environmental minor from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.
Brad was born in Tucson, Arizona, and was raised in northern Colorado. Brad's love of the outdoors and camping and fishing is a motivation to preserve and enhance the forests across the southwest United States.
Brad Christiansen is the Vice President of Operations for Markit! Forestry Management. As the Vice President of Operations, Brad oversees the deployment of Markit! Forestry Management's people and equipment to execute forestry projects across the southwest United States. Brad is also responsible for the maintenance and logistics of all of Markit! Forestry Management's equipment, and is responsible for assuring that all of Markit! Forestry Management's projects are executed efficiently and in accord with the highest safety and environmental standards. Brad joined Markit! Forestry Management in January 2020.
With more than 30 years of professional experience, Brad has managed large construction projects across the western United States and overseas, and he has held management positions at Highway Supply, LLC, Kiewit Corporation, SEMA Corporation, and Laguna Construction Company, Inc. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a civil specialty and an environmental minor from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.
Brad was born in Tucson, Arizona, and was raised in northern Colorado. Brad's love of the outdoors and camping and fishing is a motivation to preserve and enhance the forests across the southwest United States.
Jeremy S. Moore - Vice President of Project Delivery
Jeremy Moore is the Vice President of Project Delivery for Markit! Forestry Management. Jeremy came to Markit! Forestry Management from Higher Ground Forestry & Land Management, which was acquired by Markit! Forestry Management in June, 2015. Jeremy was a founder and principal of Higher Ground Forestry & Land Management.
Since 2010, Jeremy has combined his passion for business with his love of the outdoors by owning and/or helping to manage forestry companies devoted to protecting and enhancing the environment. Jeremy has extensive experience in forest health restoration, forest fuels reduction, creating defensible space, and watershed management. As the co-founder of Higher Ground Forestry, Jeremy successfully completed numerous forestry projects for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), the Coalition For The Upper South Platte (CUSP), Colorado Springs Utilities, and many private landowners across the Pikes Peak Region.
Jeremy is a Colorado native, having been born and raised in Woodland Park. In addition to his background in forestry management, Jeremy has considerable business experience. Going back to 1998, Jeremy owned and operated a number of small businesses in the Pikes Peak Region, including PK Lath and Plastering Inc., Summit View Stucco, and Tava Mountain Sports.
Jeremy Moore is the Vice President of Project Delivery for Markit! Forestry Management. Jeremy came to Markit! Forestry Management from Higher Ground Forestry & Land Management, which was acquired by Markit! Forestry Management in June, 2015. Jeremy was a founder and principal of Higher Ground Forestry & Land Management.
Since 2010, Jeremy has combined his passion for business with his love of the outdoors by owning and/or helping to manage forestry companies devoted to protecting and enhancing the environment. Jeremy has extensive experience in forest health restoration, forest fuels reduction, creating defensible space, and watershed management. As the co-founder of Higher Ground Forestry, Jeremy successfully completed numerous forestry projects for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), the Coalition For The Upper South Platte (CUSP), Colorado Springs Utilities, and many private landowners across the Pikes Peak Region.
Jeremy is a Colorado native, having been born and raised in Woodland Park. In addition to his background in forestry management, Jeremy has considerable business experience. Going back to 1998, Jeremy owned and operated a number of small businesses in the Pikes Peak Region, including PK Lath and Plastering Inc., Summit View Stucco, and Tava Mountain Sports.
Gerald H. Thurston - Treasurer
Gerald (Jerry) Thurston is the Treasurer of Markit! Forestry Management. As the Treasurer, Jerry is responsible for all aspects of financial planning for the company.
Jerry has more than 40 years of experience in a wide variety of business fields. Jerry began his business career working in financial analysis positions for the Fortune 500 companies Tenneco, Air Products and Chemicals and GAF Corporation. From 1992 until 2012, Jerry was the co-founder and President of Financial Software Systems, a provider of treasury software and consulting services to clients in over 30 countries.
Jerry received an MBA degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1980, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with highest honors from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1977.
Gerald (Jerry) Thurston is the Treasurer of Markit! Forestry Management. As the Treasurer, Jerry is responsible for all aspects of financial planning for the company.
Jerry has more than 40 years of experience in a wide variety of business fields. Jerry began his business career working in financial analysis positions for the Fortune 500 companies Tenneco, Air Products and Chemicals and GAF Corporation. From 1992 until 2012, Jerry was the co-founder and President of Financial Software Systems, a provider of treasury software and consulting services to clients in over 30 countries.
Jerry received an MBA degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1980, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with highest honors from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1977.
Matthew L. Wigle - Vice President of Strategic Development
Matthew Wigle is the Vice President of Strategic Development for Markit! Forestry Management. As the Vice President of Strategic Development, Matt will continuously frame and support Markit! Forestry Management's growth objectives and infrastructure, including focusing on supporting Markit! Forestry Management's remote offices in Arizona, California and Utah. Matt joined Markit! Forestry Management in September 2019.
Matt has more than 30 years of diversified professional experience in a variety of engineering and business disciplines. Matt's professional experience includes positions with HDR Engineering, Inc., Kleinfelder, Inc., the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Booz Allen & Hamilton. Matt has worked in 22 countries around the world, and served in the US Army Corps of Engineers in Afghanistan and Iraq. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Northern Colorado.
Matt was born and raised in Colorado. He especially enjoys fishing in Colorado's rivers and streams which gives him a passion to preserve and enhance the forests and watersheds in Colorado and in the southwest United States.
Matthew Wigle is the Vice President of Strategic Development for Markit! Forestry Management. As the Vice President of Strategic Development, Matt will continuously frame and support Markit! Forestry Management's growth objectives and infrastructure, including focusing on supporting Markit! Forestry Management's remote offices in Arizona, California and Utah. Matt joined Markit! Forestry Management in September 2019.
Matt has more than 30 years of diversified professional experience in a variety of engineering and business disciplines. Matt's professional experience includes positions with HDR Engineering, Inc., Kleinfelder, Inc., the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Booz Allen & Hamilton. Matt has worked in 22 countries around the world, and served in the US Army Corps of Engineers in Afghanistan and Iraq. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Northern Colorado.
Matt was born and raised in Colorado. He especially enjoys fishing in Colorado's rivers and streams which gives him a passion to preserve and enhance the forests and watersheds in Colorado and in the southwest United States.