Jenn Hartner Executive Director
Jenn has a strong history with Candlelight Ranch, and first developed a passion for the mission and people served in…Read More
Our Team
Candlelight Ranch’s talented staff, dedicated Board of Directors and Advisory Council are committed to helping special needs children, youth and families learn, explore and heal at the ranch. Our staff is dedicated to the daily operations, programs, development and long-term sustainability of Candlelight Ranch. Our Board of Directors and Advisory Council consists of business and community leaders that provide organizational and fiduciary oversight to ensure long-term financial and programmatic success.
Our Staff
Tara Gray Development Director
Tara’s history with Candlelight Ranch started in 2006, when her angelic daughter Reese took her last breath in the arms…Read More
Lynette Holtz Ranch Program Director
Lynette has a BA in Humanities and a MA in Literature from Midwestern State University. She has been an organic…Read More
Madison Peterson Program & Communications Coordinator
Madison’s love for the outdoors began as a young child exploring the pine forests of East Texas, but her passion…Read More
Angelia Tomlin Ranch Manager
Angelia has always been a country girl and somewhat of a tomboy. She has served as our Ranch Foreman for…Read More
Adrian Dearmond Program Coordinator
Adrian’s passion for outdoor recreation began while she was on summer staff at Camp Barnabas, a camp for individuals with…Read More
Michael Weahkee Operations & Logistics Coordinator
Michael’s interest and passion for the outdoors began as a young child living in a wide range of places. Through…Read More
Tori Martinez Program Specialist
Tori’s passion for nature and helping others is what brought her to Candlelight Ranch. While earning her Bachelor’s degree in…Read More
Our Board
Ronnie Taylor
Ronnie Taylor owns and operates Homewell Care Services of Austin. He spent 30 years in the grocery business starting as…Read More
Dauphen Jackson Board Treasurer
Dauphen joined the Candlelight Ranch Board of Directors in 2017. With a strong professional background in Business Administration, Finance and…Read More
Monika Orr Secretary
Monika has a BS in Business from the University of Central Missouri. She has worked in the Market Research Technology…Read More
Dr. Mary Van Haneghan
Dr. Mary Van Haneghan has two decades of nonprofit organizational management. Her academic research has ranged from historical institutional models…Read More
Don Barr Co-Founder, Emeritus
Born and raised in Houston, Don Barr moved to Austin in 1975 after spending 18 summers as a camper, counselor,…Read More
Randy Barr Co-Founder, Emeritus
Co-Founder Randy Barr is deeply passionate about Candlelight Ranch. He feels the Retreat is so beautiful and peaceful that being…Read More
Brian Hamner
Brian and his family have been a part of Candlelight Ranch from its inception. With the ranch’s pavilion named in…Read More
Paul Masschelin Board President
Paul is a retired senior finance executive with an Engineering degree from State University of Antwerp, Belgium and MBA degree…Read More
Russ Miller
Russ Miller started volunteering at Candlelight Ranch in 2020 and recently joined the Ranch Committee. He has held previous board…Read More
Jennifer Sellers
Jennifer Sellers joined the Candlelight Ranch Board of Directors in 2021. Jennifer has a BA and MS in Accounting from…Read More
Dr. William Fisher
Dr. William Fisher came to Candlelight Ranch as a volunteer and fell in love with the mission and this beautiful…Read More
Arun Jacob
Arun Jacob joined the Candlelight Ranch Team in 2022, after experiencing the Families in Nature Program and a corporate volunteering…Read More
Adam Flagg Board Vice President
Adam Flagg was drawn to join the Candlelight Ranch board in 2022 after learning about the organization through the Austin…Read More
Due West
Due West began volunteering at Candlelight Ranch in 2021 while also serving on the Ranch Committee. He joined the board…Read More
Our Advisory Council
LuAnn Gilmore
A native Texan, LuAnn supports many local charities and together with her husband, Jack, believes in helping disadvantaged and disabled…Read More
Kellie Mater
Kellie Mater joined the Candlelight Ranch Board of Directors in 2016. A marketing executive in the high-tech sector, Kellie brings…Read More
Aaron Persons
Aaron has 30 years of financial services leadership, serving in executive roles for banks and credit unions leading retail operations…Read More
Randal Dahl
As a native Texan and resident in the Marble Falls area since 2006, Randal has supported numerous non-profits and charities…Read More
Ali Knight
Anyone who knows Ali knows that she “lights up” and loves to talk about Candlelight Ranch to anyone who will…Read More
Dorie Pickle
Dorie Pickle is CreativePickle’s Founding Principal and Managing Director. With roots in the frenzied dot-com boom in Austin, Dorie started…Read More
Becca Schafer
Becca Gutierrez Schafer is a single mother, activist, public speaker, and award winning chef. She founded Becca Events and Catering…Read More
Tom Sultenfuss
Tom has been involved with Candlelight Ranch since the beginning 20 years ago. His much-loved sister, Jeri, was one of…Read More