Staff

Currently there are three employees dedicated to park operations. When needed, additional staff from the District are available on a part-time basis.

• Ron Clayton, Ranch Manager, manages the day-to-day operations of the Ranch. Ron comes to North Florida from northern Arizona, where for more than 20 years he was trail boss for the famous mule rides into the Grand Canyon. His adventures were the subject of a film documentary, "Ron Clayton's Grand Canyon: Mule Skinner's Journal." For his work with charitable causes, civic organizations, and disabled individuals, Ron was presented the North American Mule Association's Lifetime Achievement Award, the "Horseman of Distinction" award from the North American Horsemen's Association, and was inducted into the Grand Canyon Hall of Fame for Community Service.
• Pennie Flickinger, Administrative Assistant, provides administrative services for the board of directors and park staff. Penny comes to the ranch with over thirteen years of administrative experience working for the Lafayette County School Board. She is a native Floridian and has lived in Lafayette County for over 25 years.
• Brian Kauffman, P.E., Facilities Manager, is the program leader for all activities at R.O. Ranch. He coordinates the Board of Directors and staff, as well as the many contractors and cooperators that assist with the development and maintenance of the ranch. In particular, he is the manager for the construction of planned equestrian and visitor facilities. Brian received a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Florida in May 1989. He worked as a Project Engineer with Yoder Brothers, Inc. before joining the Suwannee River Water Management District in 1996. During his tenure with the District, Brian has worked in environmental resource permitting and with local governments on cooperative engineering projects to enhance the community's water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. In 2002, Brian moved into the Land Acquisition and Management Department where he oversaw the restoration and management of Mallory Swamp and served as program leader for land management before taking on responsibilities at R.O. Ranch.