Staff & Management

Tom Bragg, DVM

Veterinarian

Dusty Hand

Ranch Foreman

Carter Kruse, PhD

Director of Conservation and Science

Tom Bragg, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Tom Bragg oversees all animal health related issues for the Institute, including acute bison and wildlife disease issues and preventative disease management protocols. He develops and conducts animal health and disease related research projects on Institute properties, as well as provide professional support on projects conducted by university and agency collaborators. This support includes providing veterinary expertise; field assistance with sample collection and laboratory submissions; disease diagnosis, vaccine and drug procurement and dosing; and veterinary supply management, among other tasks.  He received his DVM from Kansas State University.

Dusty Hand

Ranch Foreman

Dusty Hand oversees daily activities at McGinley Ranch to strategically accomplish operational needs and goals while facilitating research. With an intrinsic knowledge of the land and a passion for stockmanship, Dusty also leads the low-stress handling of our bison and identifies areas where we can improve bison and rangeland management.

Carter Kruse, PhD

Director of Conservation and Science

With nearly 30 years in the ecological and agricultural fields, Dr. Carter Kruse oversees the Institute’s science and conservation programs. He works closely with property managers and scientists to develop and implement research and conservation projects consistent with the Institute’s mission. Dr. Kruse also collaborates with university partners to facilitate graduate and long-term research activity and educational opportunities. He received his PhD in Zoology from the University of Wyoming.

Jessica Lovitt, MS

Ranch Technician

Magnus McCaffery, PhD

Senior Scientist

Tyrell McClain, MS

Ranch Manager

Jessica Lovitt, MS

Ranch Technician

Jessica Lovitt handles the daily needs of the bison and Ranch infrastructure while encouraging rangeland health through regenerative practices. She advances the Ranch’s forage and bison production goals by developing grazing plans that ensure we stay adaptive in our range management and aligned with research initiatives. She received her MS in Organizational Management from Chadron State College in Nebraska. 

Magnus McCaffery, PhD

Senior Biologist

Dr. Magnus McCaffery oversees research projects for the Institute’s science and conservation programs. He collaborates with university, agency, and non-profit scientists to implement graduate and long-term research activities, and develops strategies for restoring and conserving ecosystems in rural landscapes. Receiving his PhD in Fish and Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, Dr. McCaffery has more than 10 years of experience in the areas of ecology and conservation.

Tyrell McClain, MS

Ranch Manager

Tyrell McClain leads the McGinley Ranch team in promoting and integrating biodiversity, animal production, animal welfare, and soil and rangeland health objectives into daily and long-term management practices and planning on the Ranch. With a strong background in animal nutrition and research, Tyrell efficiently balances the conservation and production goals of the Ranch with the research objectives of our valued partners.  He received his MS in Animal and Range Sciences from Montana State University.

TIEA Ranch Technician John Selby

John Selby

Ranch Technician

John Selby

Ranch Technician

John Selby stewards our yearling and bison finishing herds; animals that need steady daily management to accomplish production, research, and conservation objectives.  John also has a keen eye and talent for maintaining and improving ranch infrastructure.  John has a strong passion for learning and is excited to be able to contribute to the Institute’s research efforts, especially regarding regenerative grazing and the production of healthy protein in a positive way.   

Tom Bragg

Veterinarian

Tom Bragg

Veterinarian

Dr. Tom Bragg oversees all animal health related issues for the Institute, including acute bison and wildlife disease issues and preventative disease management protocols. He develops and conducts animal health and disease related research projects on Institute properties, as well as provide professional support on projects conducted by university and agency collaborators. This support includes providing veterinary expertise; field assistance with sample collection and laboratory submissions; disease diagnosis, vaccine and drug procurement and dosing; and veterinary supply management, among other tasks.  He received his DVM from Kansas State University.

Dusty Hand

Ranch Foreman

Dusty Hand

Ranch Foreman

Dusty Hand oversees daily activities at McGinley Ranch to strategically accomplish operational needs and goals while facilitating research. With an intrinsic knowledge of the land and a passion for stockmanship, Dusty also leads the low-stress handling of our bison and identifies areas where we can improve bison and rangeland management.

Carter Kruse, PhD

Director of Conservation and Science

Carter Kruse, PhD

Director of Conservation and Science

With nearly 30 years in the ecological and agricultural fields, Dr. Carter Kruse oversees the Institute’s science and conservation programs. He works closely with property managers and scientists to develop and implement research and conservation projects consistent with the Institute’s mission. Dr. Kruse also collaborates with university partners to facilitate graduate and long-term research activity and educational opportunities. He received his PhD in Zoology from the University of Wyoming.

Jessica Lovitt, M.S.

Ranch Technician

Jessica Lovitt, M.S.

Ranch Technician

Jessica Lovitt handles the daily needs of the bison and Ranch infrastructure while encouraging rangeland health through regenerative practices. She advances the Ranch’s forage and bison production goals by developing grazing plans that ensure we stay adaptive in our range management and aligned with research initiatives. She received her MS in Organizational Management from Chadron State College in Nebraska. 

Magnus McCaffery, PhD

Senior Biologist

Magnus McCaffery, PhD

Senior Biologist

Dr. Magnus McCaffery oversees research projects for the Institute’s science and conservation programs. He collaborates with university, agency, and non-profit scientists to implement graduate and long-term research activities, and develops strategies for restoring and conserving ecosystems in rural landscapes. Receiving his PhD in Fish and Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, Dr. McCaffery has more than 10 years of experience in the areas of ecology and conservation.

Tyrell McClain

Ranch Manager, M.S.

Tyrell McClain

Ranch Manager, M.S.

Tyrell McClain leads the McGinley Ranch team in promoting and integrating biodiversity, animal production, animal welfare, and soil and rangeland health objectives into daily and long-term management practices and planning on the Ranch. With a strong background in animal nutrition and research, Tyrell efficiently balances the conservation and production goals of the Ranch with the research objectives of our valued partners.  He received his MS in Animal and Range Sciences from Montana State University.

TIEA Ranch Technician John Selby

John Selby

Ranch Technician

John Selby

Ranch Technician

John Selby stewards our yearling and bison finishing herds; animals that need steady daily management to accomplish production, research, and conservation objectives.  John also has a keen eye and talent for maintaining and improving ranch infrastructure.  John has a strong passion for learning and is excited to be able to contribute to the Institute’s research efforts, especially regarding regenerative grazing and the production of healthy protein in a positive way.