Shadow Creek Staff
BUCK MCNICHOLS (Ranch Manager)
Buck grew up right here on the ranch, working as a ranch hand Buck spent his time as a kid haying, fencing, working cattle and spending time on the ranch. After graduating from Kremmling, Buck enlisted in the United States Coast Guard where he spent his years traveling being stationed across the US specialized as a Coxswain captaining USCG boats and teams ranging from Aids to Navigation, Search and Rescue and Law Enforcement. Buck was an EMT and certified firearms instructor for 15 years of his time, training Active duty and Reserve components of numerous branches of the military. After 22 years of service, he retired as a Chief Boatswains Mate.
Buck has lived in the area since 2007 after moving back to Colorado. He enjoys having lots of toys in hopes of using them a few times a year whether it’s jumping on the Harley for a chilly October cruise, ripping some fresh spring powder on the sled above the Ranch or dragging the kids behind the boat tubing on the reservoir during a hot summer day. Some other things Buck enjoys is taking his daughters hunting and shooting long range, a good campfire and a whiskey and visiting family. Buck has been back with Shadow Creek Ranch since 2007 in a part time position helping guide hunters, horseback riding and anything else that needed done.
He signed on as the General Manager in 2013 and enjoys being a part of making the Ranch better and more efficient as the growth of the HOA requires. His desire to be outdoors and love for Agricultural operations are a few things he enjoys most about working for such a unique place.
Doug Hair (Assistant Manager)
Maddie Bateman (Equestrian Guide)
Maddie was born and raised in Georgia where she first found her love of horses, riding trails with her Uncle and Father and working at a local barn. When she turned 19, she moved to England and spent 4 years abroad. Once back, state side, Maddie quickly found Grand county where she moved in 2018 working at dude ranches learning the terrain and the wonderful beauty that Colorado has to offer. You will most likely see her with her pup Stryder at her side, he is always happy to say hello and play a nice long game of fetch. They both enjoy being active and outside, camping and hiking in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter with the hopes of learning to snowboard. Maddie also enjoys traveling and hopes to knock some places off of her bucket list.
JOE LOVATO (Executive Chef)
Joe first came to Grand County in the summer of 1987. He has been cooking since he was 16 years old. His first job cooking in Grand County was the Grand Lake Lodge. He has been a chef at the Winter Park Resort, and the Vintage Hotel, to name a couple.
MARTY CECIL (Guest Services)
Marty was raised in northeast Colorado on a farm. In 1980, his family bought a piece of property on Rabbit Ears Pass. It was run as a guest ranch. He went to college at Rockmont College. He met Shelly there and they married and went back to the ranch to work until they sold in 1987. Marty went back to school at the University of Northern Colorado where he earned his teaching/coaching degree. During the summers, he started guiding fishermen at Elktrout Lodge outside Kremmling. He soon became head guide and ran the fishing and hunting operations until February 2006 when he made the move to Shadow Creek. At SCR, he takes owners and guests fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling. He also works on irrigating, haying, and anything else he can help with.
CODY SAUVAGEAU (Ranch Hand)
Cody grew up on a small farm in the Northeast where they raised Belgian hitch horses and made lots of hay. Cody graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelors in Animal Science and Industry. Moving from the Flint Hills in Manhattan, Kansas to the mountains of Colorado has been a big change and a lifelong dream for him. He has a passion for riding cow horses, working cattle, and enjoying everything the great outdoors has to offer, hunting, fishing, shooting, hiking, kayaking, skiing, snowmobiling, if he can do it outside he’s having a good time.
JAMES WOLYNIEC (Maintenance Tech)
James was born and raised in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He moved to Colorado shortly after graduating highschool. Having lived in a few places around Colorado he now calls Spring Creek home. In his free time he enjoys hiking with his wife and dog, riding motorcycles and snowboarding.