Meet Our Gila County Ranchers

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Woody Cline

Woody Cline has been involved with ranching all his life.  As a young boy he worked on numerous ranches in Pleasant Valley and the surrounding area.  Looking for job security in a rural area with few opportunities, Woody turned to the US Forest Service for a career.  He spent more than 15 years working in the Fire sections of various districts.  Finally, Woody wanted to get back into ranching and purchased the Ellinwood ranch in Pleasant Valley in 2004, and he is still ranching near Young.


Woody has been a member of Gila County Cattle Growers for more than 15 years.  During that time he has been an officer of the organization for more than 8 years.  He served as President from 2016 to 2018.  During his years as an officer Woody led efforts to prevent the release of Mexican Grey Wolves in Gila county and worked tirelessly to educate the public on the negative impact that species could have on local communities.  He has also been in the forefront of the effort to keep the 203 road open since its closure would have a detrimental impact on access for ranchers, and would deal an economic blow to the town of Young.


Woody has always been known to have the welfare of others as one of his priorities.  He was recently elected as a Supervisor for Gila county, and in the short time he has served in that capacity he has continued to demonstrate enthusiasm to help others.  Woody is well liked and very well respected as both a cattleman and a civic leader.


The Gila County Cattle Growers are proud to have Woody Cline as 2018 Rancher of the Year.
Bill Conway

As the 2016 Rancher of the Year, Bill Conway, could not have been a better choice. When he became President of GCCGA in 2014, Bill’s goals were to keep our association as a strong, family-friendly working association.  And he did.  With his hands on the reins, the Gila County Cattle Growers Association has had 2 wonderful years of growth both economical and socially.  He transformed the Annual Salute to the Rancher dinner into a fund raiser and social event for the organization and re-instituted our annual live auction with 2 successful cattle sales during his term.


Bill has been in ranching all his life, growing up and living on the Greenback Valley Ranch, which was homesteaded by his great-great-grandfather in 1872.  As an active member in the Gila County Cattle Growers for many years, he has worked diligently toward creating a better relationship between the Forest Service and the ranchers.


Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and brother, Bill has the cowboy no-quit spirit to keep ranching in his family for generations to come.  His grand-babies are the 7th generation on the Greenback Valley Ranch and his hope is that when he is gone, Greenback Valley Ranch will still be going strong and one of the next generation will become President of the Gila County Cattle Growers.


Thank you Bill, for your many years of service and support.
Duane Reece

Duane Reece has served the ranching industry in many capacities over the years.  During his many years as Gila County cattle inspector, he roped and gathered countless wild cattle to helping ranchers.  He knows cattle!  He could look at a cow and figure out who it belonged to. He is a great cowboy who has done just about anything that could be done with a cow on horseback. He is always ready to help.


An accomplished Cowboy Poet, and one of the best Story Tellers there is, Duane’s book, Cowboy Sign, is a collection of short stories that span over 70 years of cowboyin’ and 20 years of rodeoin’.


Duane has always been an active and supportive member of the Gila County Cattle Growers and is an Honorary Director of our organization.


Thank you, Duane, for your years of dedication to the cattle industry and the GCCGA.

Dan

Fenn

Dan served as President of the GCCGA from 2010-2012 and was honored as 2012 Rancher of the Year for his dedication to the ranching industry and his perseverance and leadership during years of escalating changes and ever-growing challenges.


Thank you, Dan, for your many years of service.

Therese

Griffin Hicks

Therese Griffin Hicks made history in Gila County as the first woman president of the Gila County Cattle Growers Association.  She went into this position with hands on taking the reins and running with them.  Known from Gila County to the State and National associations for her first-hand knowledge of public lands, ranchers can depend on her to take up their fight on many issues.

John

McBride

John has been a tireless contributor to our association for many years. Always working behind the scenes, his tasks are many and endless.  John is forever ready to help the GCCGA with a cheerful, willing attitude.



Thank you, John, for your help and support throughout the years.

Chas

Erickson

Chas has been a stalwart pillar in the association for more than 20 years. His sacrifice and concern at the GCCGA Annual Auction has been non-paralleled and beyond any other member or officer. Among his many accomplishments, Chas is owner of Dagger Springs Ranch, GCCGA Past President, and GCCGA Annual Sale Chairman and Yardmaster. Our hats are off in gratitude for his many years of service to the organization. He is the driving force in the success of our annual sale. THANK YOU, CHAS.

Nathan Ellison

Rancher of the Year 2017, Nathan Ellison, has been ranching his entire life continuing the Ellison Family tradition started in Arizona in the mid-1880’s.  A staunch supporter of the GCCGA, Ellison Ranch has sold cattle and worked at our Annual Spring Sale since its inception.


Nathan has been instrumental in working to resolve past and current issues such as the USFS closure of the TNF FS203 Road, Mexican Gray Wolf issues, USFS fire management policy and many other issues important to the rancher and communities throughout the state of Arizona.  He is an exemplary steward of the land, a professional hunter, and a wild game guide who is dedicated to the preservation of the cattle industry, our treasured values and western lifestyle that benefits everyone.


Thank you, Nathan, for your many years of guidance, dedication and service.

Johnny Johnson

Johnny Johnson embodies the spirit of a true Gila County rancher.


Hard-working, big hearted, trustworthy and honest, his cows always come first.  He sees the best in everyone and is willing to go the extra mile to give anyone a chance and lend a helping hand.


He first got into ranching after his fathers’ death, in partners with his uncle and cousin.  They had the KA Ranch, near Horseshoe Dam on the Verde River.  They renamed it the Johnson Ranch. He bought the Flying V Ranch in 1985 and brought his long time friend and helper Rodrigo with him to Young along with his wife and 3 children, LeRoy, Willie and Matt.  Together, with a lot of hard work they have cleared land, built corrals and many other ranch improvements. He's lived in tents, cow-camps, trailers and after 30+ years of sacrifices, he is starting on his house.


As a GCCGA member and director, every year Johnny is always first on site to help ready the Burch yard for the up-coming sale.  With welder and generator in tow he searches through the pens fixing gates and pens until the last one is done.  He provides workers and equipment to help feed cattle and help before and during the sale.  Most of the time, he is the first one there and the last one to leave. When the association was in financial straits and the possibility having the annual sale was questionable, once again, this rancher went above and beyond to help get us back on our feet.


Though not a politician, Johnny Johnson is a staunch advocate and supporter of those who are in the organization.  Expressing concerns and opinions on current issues and threats that affect our ranchers this rancher is once again ready and willing to help in his quiet and gentle voice.


When the Forrest Service pulled all the cattle off the Tonto in 2000-2002, Johnny worked tirelessly to get the EQIP program expanded from private to Federal lands, partially financing trips for our 'member-politicians' to Washington to get the job done.  He has fought and won the battles of trich (trichomoniasis new rule 2020), drought and extensive predator control, including the US Forest Service.


Our 2015 Rancher of the Year is a rare find.  If you can't find him in a cow-camp on the ranch, chances are the sale is over and he's 'gone fishin'…


Thank you, Johnny, many your years of unselfish support.

Gryphon Ranch

Is this Scotland or Arizona?

As you drive Highway 77 between Winkelman and Globe you never would imagine that just north of El Capitan you passed the largest fold (a group of Highland cattle are called a fold as opposed to a herd) of Scottish Highland cattle in Arizona. A mere 2 miles off the paved road, Gryphon Ranch is nestled into 469 deeded acres of rugged canyons allowing these furry beasts to roam about 1,300 acres of private land just south of the Tonto National Forest.

Chuck Backus

Chuck has done more than anyone else to improve the quality and value of Arizona cattle. His workshops brought experts from the entire US cattle industry to Arizona to advise us on the latest science and technology in our business. Every Arizona rancher has benefitted from his efforts. A humble, passionate and dignified rancher, we are truly lucky to have him as a member of the Gila County Cattle Growers.

Jim Brooks

Jim was born into the ranching industry and has fixed his trade his entire life. He brings decades of cattle savvy, water systems management, forage knowledge, and extensive working with government agencies. Jim has worked on several Gila County Ranches and is an exceptional ranch manager. He commits to each outfit with grit and an extreme work ethic, leaving every ranch he works on the best it can be. At any Gila County Cattle Growers function or project, Jim is usually the first to arrive and the last to leave. His volunteer work at the Burch sale yard is unequalled. He is a big asset to our organization. He always helps whatever the job. Never says much, just ‘if there’s a job, get it done’. He is the perfect example of the meaning of 'cowboy up.'
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