Staff

Matt Moeckl

My background is in real estate and finance, but I have been serving at Wildwood Hills Ranch since 2004. While at The Ranch that summer I read a letter to a nine-year-old boy that his mother had written telling him they could no longer be a family. That boy went into the custody of the state after he left The Ranch. I thought about that boy numerous times and wondered where he ended up. After jumping back into my real estate career I was approached by another organization to volunteer with abused, neglected and impoverished children. Three years later, while working with that organization, the young man I read the letter to showed up not only in my cabin but in the group of three children I was responsible for that week. Shortly after that experience I was employed full time at The Ranch. I believe that many of the problems in our society, and around the globe, are caused by fathers failing to follow through with their responsibilities. I believe the reason I was put on earth is to defend the cause of the fatherless. I spend my free time with my beautiful wife Jena, our daughters Bekah, Maddie and Alaina and our son, Wyatt, and family and close friends.

Kaitlin Willcockson

I graduated from UNI and majored in leisure, youth and human services … essentially I majored in fun! My emphasis was in nonprofit administration and programming and had the opportunity to participate in some incredible internships and experiences in ministry, camps and nonprofits. Through many of these experiences God began to break my heart and draw my attention to people who did not have the same story as me. Those who were stuck in abuse and neglect, who didn’t have healthy families, or who lacked the security, blessing and opportunities I had been given. God brought me to Wildwood and my passions, interests and gifts began to align. I am absolutely loving getting to work with our summer staff and ranchers! Plus, when your “office” includes a high ropes course, waterslide and bonfire pit, each day is a new adventure!

Chris Ellifritt

I started at the Ranch in August 2012. After working for several years I went back to school to get my degree in business administration. Upon completion I reentered the workforce, but couldn’t seem to find the right fit. When I was approached for this position I finally found what I was looking for. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here and I thank God for bringing me to a place that does such wonderful things for children. I have an awesome husband, Ed, and four wonderful kids, Mike, Shawn, Cassie and Jennie. I also have four amazing grandchildren, Drake, Naomi, Natalya and Jackson. I feel privileged to be able to come to work every day and participate in what God is doing here.

Christy Christensen

I come to The Ranch with over 25 years of marketing experience and over ten years of event planning experience. I pray that I can use my years of experience and knowledge to help Wildwood Hills Ranch expand its services and increase the number of youth and veterans touched by The Ranch. When I’m not working, I am probably with my son, talking to him, texting him, or FaceTiming him. He is a Des Moines Christian graduate, a current student at the University of Iowa, and most recently became an army combat medic. I am so proud of the young man he has become; I thank GOD every day for blessing me with him.

For several years, I have contributed to Wildwood Hills Ranch and its mission to support vulnerable youth; however, it wasn’t until recently that I fully grasped the magnitude of their impact. I believe God brought me here because my passions align with their mission. Getting to work every day, supporting a mission that impacts two areas of my life that I am most passionate about – vulnerable youth and veterans; it feels like I am the one receiving the blessing.

Jimmy Binnie

Jimmy Binnie serves as Chief Development Officer, with a deep passion for building meaningful relationships and advancing mission-driven work. He leads fundraising strategies and partnership development, ensuring the organization has the resources needed to serve vulnerable youth and veterans.

Taylor Smith

Taylor serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Wildwood Hills Ranch. He oversees the daily operations at The Ranch, including management of conference center guests and overall campus performance. He ensures operational excellence across facilities and that we are operating efficiently and effectively.

Jacob Barthalow

Jacob serves as the Community Outreach Director at Wildwood Hills Ranch, leading Wildwood Collective initiatives and cultivating meaningful relationships with local churches. He is passionate about connecting people to the mission and creating opportunities for mission teams to expand support for vulnerable youth and veterans.

Cole Smith

Cole serves as the Equine and Facility Director. He provides leadership over The Ranch’s equine program and stewardship of the campus grounds and infrastructure.  In his dual role, Cole ensures that both our hoses and facilities are cared for with excellence creating a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment.

Regina Starkenburg

I came on as full time staff in January of 2022, and truly it is a dream come true! When I came to the Ranch as a little 9-year-old girl, I never knew how much the Ranch would still be in my life twenty years later! In college, I received a Bachelors in elementary education and Bible as well as a middle school endorsement. God gave me a desire at a young age to help those around me, and I thought an education degree would be a great place to start. I taught a variety of grades 6-12 at Christian schools for seven years and love working with young people. It is an honor to have gone through the Leadership programing at the Ranch as a teen, be on summer staff as an adult, and, now, it is so exciting to teach outside of a classroom, and help students come to the Ranch to have God offer them healing hope, just as He did for me so many years ago!

Peter Rutherdale

Peter serves as the male program director at Wildwood Hills Ranch. As a co-leader for all programming at The Ranch, he leads and oversees all programming opportunities for students. He implements mission-driven experiences that build resilience, strengthen character, and develop future leaders.

Liz Sweeney

As the Equine Coordinator, Liz is responsible for daily horse care and facility upkeep, including feeding, grooming, and preparing for lessons and programs.  This role helps ensure a safe, organized, and welcoming equine environment for every guest.

Sadie Mongan

As the hospitality coordinator, Sadie ensures that every guest experiences exceptional care. She works diligently to prepare accommodations, campus readiness, and a variety of meals.  With a heart for service, she makes The Ranch feel like home.