Our Team

Daniel Schwab was raised in Star Valley, Wyoming. From a very young age, he developed a passion for the outdoors. He began his post-high school education in 1983 at Ricks College but left soon after to dedicate 18 months of his life as a full-time missionary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When he returned home from his mission, he attended Utah State University with a focus on business and financial management.

Shortly after college, Schwab started several successful start-up companies. One of which specialized in ranch land restoration and preservation, with further focus on fish and wildlife habitat restoration. In 1997, the business began to acquire distressed ranches in Wyoming and Idaho. They implemented their restoration and preservation concept by working with specialists to engineer, design, permit, and implement plans to restore fish habitat by enhancing spring creeks and improving the overall land quality for the native wildlife on the property.

By 2002, Schwab’s companies were the largest landowners in Lincoln County, Wyoming, and were numbered among the largest landowners in the State of Wyoming, controlling over 80,000 acres. To date, his businesses have exceeded $182 million in acquisition and land sales. Schwab continues to focus on improving the land and fisheries to make them more welcoming to the native wildlife. His business model and land-restoration concepts have caught the attention of noted magazines, receiving national recognition.

Daniel is a current ranch owner with approximately 30 years of experience specializing in property research, acquisition, restoration, and preservation, along with marketing and sales. He continues to work with conservation organizations and is dedicated to preserving Wyoming’s legendary landscapes.

Mr. Ayers serves as Chief Executive Officer for TerraWest Consulting. His focus is directed toward project development and management on large-scale mitigation and permitting projects throughout the Western United States, including California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

With over 15 years in real estate and asset management, Nathan’s clientele has consisted of major oil refineries, manufacturing plants, developers, and engineering firms throughout the United States. Since the mid-90’s Nathan has provided consulting services for private landowners, energy developers, and conservation organizations. He continues to manage some of the largest habitat restoration and conservation projects in the country.

Prior to joining TerraWest Consulting, Mr. Ayers co-founded and was President of Sierra Ridge Consulting, where his work focused on environmental permitting, habitat restoration, and large-scale restoration and conservation planning. His ability to negotiate and provide solutions to complex environmental disputes assisted clients with successful development projects for nearly two decades.

Mr. Ayers is dedicated to incorporating the best scientific information to assist clients with environmental compliance and to ensure the successful implementation of habitat protection and restoration plans. With a portfolio of over $250M in current real estate and mitigation management, and over 150,000 acres of habitat conservation and enhancement, Mr. Ayers has built an enterprise of leading innovations with his team of nationwide conservation specialists.

Mr. Ayers has multidisciplinary academic training in environmental law, environmental economics, and quantitative analysis, combined with years of field and project management. This allows him to understand and manage a diverse array of environmental projects and teams across the country.

Lisa Hoopes serves as Vice President of Business Development for TerraWest Consulting. She focuses on client relationships and new business development. She also heads the mitigation and project marketing team.

Mrs. Hoopes is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the company. She accomplishes this by maintaining a client-focused approach for TerraWest’s operations while using sound science and technology to develop unique solutions for our client needs. Lisa has a background in business startup, intellectual property, marketing, and finance. Prior to joining TerraWest Consulting, Mrs. Hoopes served in various positions as financial director, project manager, and VP of marketing for firms in Utah and Wyoming. In her spare time, Lisa loves to enjoy the outdoors with her husband and six boys. She owns a private fly fishing company located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Mr. King grew up in the beautiful valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and spent many years on the family property – The Jackson Hole Ranch – one of Jackson’s oldest dude ranches. Mr. King has been actively involved in ranching and land stewardship for over 20 years, having owned some of the largest ranches in Wyoming and Idaho, totaling over 60,000 acres. He received his law degree in 1985 from the University of Wyoming and has since tried nearly 70 cases in both state and federal courts. Mr. King is frequently contracted by other attorneys to mediate in litigation matters. He also serves as a magistrate judge for the Circuit Court in Teton County, Wyoming. Mr. King currently is a member of Caribou Cattle, LLC and a Trustee of the Karl M. Johnson Foundation.

Charles Clinger is a partner at LUTHI & VOYLES, LLC, a law firm located in Thayne, Wyoming. Charles is a native of Freedom, Wyoming. Charles previously practiced law in San Francisco, California as an associate in the investment advisory group at Shartsis Friese LLP, and in the private equity group at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Before his legal career, Charles enjoyed a banking career while employed at the Bank of Star Valley and Zions Bank. Charles continues to stay active in the banking community, currently serving as a Director of First Bank, Division of Glacier Bank. Charles is a graduate of Weber State University (B.S., Business Management/Finance (2002), and University of California, Davis School of Law (J.D., 2010). Charles is licensed to practice law in Wyoming and California.

Michael McCollum specializes in negotiation, using creative solutions in conflict resolution. Mr. McCollum is experienced with the strategy, preparation, and negotiation of Regional Habitat Conservation Plans, Project HCPs, and Section 7 Consultations for both upland and wetland environs. He is adept at integrating project infrastructure, cost, community requirements, and economic viability with the need to conserve and protect wildlife resources.

In private practice, he facilitated the adoption of the first state and national policies for the creation of conservation banks and developed the nation’s first conservation bank under the new policies. Prior to his work in the private sector, he served as Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Fish and Game; where he managed the nation’s largest state wildlife department. He has served as Deputy Secretary for the California Resources Agency and worked to create the first Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP) in California. Mr. McCollum holds a Master of Science in biology from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Arizona.

Kevin Stowe has over 35 years of experience in the energy industry. He started his career as a Landman for ARCO, working in all western producing basins in the United States. Mr. Stowe’s leadership skills provide the capabilities and experience to address a client’s request for mineral research, lease acquisition, lease mapping, prospect management, landowner access agreements, and property acquisition/divestiture activities. Kevin’s unique background and experience of serving as a corporate land manager allow him to manage interests and goals with a demonstrated commitment to good corporate stewardship and confidentiality

Jon Kehmeier serves as Vice President of Scientific & Technical Services for SWCA’s Rockies region. He is responsible for advancing SWCA’s scientific and technical strategy, staff development, large project execution, and client development.

Mr. Kehmeier started with SWCA in 2000, beginning his career as an aquatic ecologist in the Albuquerque office, before moving to the Denver office, where he has served in several roles including; Natural Resources Director, Principal Ecologist, Senior Project Manager, and Enterprise Scientist. He was also instrumental in the development of SWCA’s Science Leadership Program, a professional community within SWCA and encourages collaboration and provides career growth opportunities for scientific and technical experts. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from the University of Wyoming and a Master’s Degree in Bioresource Engineering from Oregon State University.

Jason Morris has spent the majority of his career involved in ranching and land stewardship, specializing in fish habitat enhancement and restoration. Originally from Idaho, Jason earned his degree in Sociology from Concord University, where he was a standout athlete in college football. He continued his career in sports as a football coach at the High School and College Levels. Throughout his life, he continued to be involved in all aspects of farming, ranching, and other outdoor professions. Mr. Morris has managed the development and operations of several fisheries and wildlife habitat projects throughout Wyoming and Idaho over the last 20 years and continues to utilize his conservation experience to oversee the long-term stewardship goals of TerraWest Consulting.

Jason Duncan brings a unique background of investment brokers, real estate, and ranch management to the team at TerraWest Consulting. He has managed and operated numerous ranching and farming projects, and has taken that knowledge and passion into several aspects of the business environment. After obtaining his Series 7, 63 & 65 Licensing, he went on to manage several large portfolios before forming DVT (Deer Valley Trucking). Starting with operations in North Dakota and Wyoming, DVT eventually expanded to become one of Forbes Fastest Growing Companies, ranking #46 in the nation in 2012. Mr. Duncanhas since developed several proprietary logistics software programs and spends much of his time combining his business acumen with his love for nature and wildlife. His background brings a specialty in project oversight, planning, and conceptual design. Along with his long-standing history with Oil & Gas development, Jason serves as a liaison for several environmental projects and energy developers.

Marcia has been keeping businesses in Star Valley, Wyoming on track for over 30 years. Her knowledge and experience in bookkeeping and accounting have helped TerraWest Consulting remain focused on serving client needs around the clock. She has worked with numerous local committees and councils over the years. Her experience in financial accounting, human resources, and strategic planning covers all sectors of TerraWest Consulting and has enhanced productivity year after year. Marcia’s passion for the outdoors and family are constant reminders of why we do what we do here at TerraWest Consulting.