By Corey Fischer

New Leadership Team For Ranch

Apr 13, 2018 | 11:30 AM

The O’Keefe Ranch is mapping out its future direction, which includes a new management team.

The heritage attraction, which is owned by the City of Vernon and run by the non profit Interior Heritage Society, has hired a consultant to complete a plan looking at ways to improve, and to build capacity.

That will be followed by studies to investigate new revenue generating opportunities and renew interest in the facility.

“These plans will assist the Ranch to realize its the potential as an economic driver in the region,” says board president Max Russman.

Russman says one of the key recommendations of their sustainability and implementation plan is to modify the organizational structure to reflect a leadership team style of management.

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“This structural change is integral to advancing the goals of the Board, to be financially independent of the City of Vernon and to create new opportunities in the future.”

Russman says the Ranch’s new management model includes two leaders in distinct roles.

Cliff Jamieson is the operations director and Caraleen MacLennan is the finance director.

“In these important positions, Cliff and Caraleen will guide the Ranch through the transition and assist the Board to implement the updated policies and procedures.”

The City of Vernon is in the process of reducing its annual subsidy to the ranch.

The heritage site will see its grant drop from $100,000 this year, to $50,000 next year, and to $10,000 in 2020, with the plan after that to phase it out completely.

The Ranch’s general manager Glen Taylor suffered a serious spinal injury in a work site accident at the Ranch last October.

by Corey Fischer