Who We Are
Ranch Preservation Foundation works to protect, restore and preserve historic western ranches. Join us in our mission.
The Ranch Preservation Foundation is a duly incorporated nonprofit corporation under the Internal Revenue Service code 501(c)(3). The Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN) is 88-3202965.
Our Mission
The Ranch Preservation Foundation works to protect, restore and preserve western ranches, while honoring the storied histories of each unique property to maintain the connection to the past and history of dude ranching.
RPF Board Members
Russell True
Russell started his life in the dude ranching business when he was 6 years old. He grew up on the historic White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, purchased by his parents in 1965.
Today, in addition to historic ranch preservation efforts Russell and his family own the White Stallion and he is a principal of Ranch Preservation Holdings, LLC, as well as one of the founders of True Ranch Hospitality with Jaye Wells.
Russell co-hosts the podcast “Cowboy Up” with H. Alan Day, swapping stories and life lessons with some truly fascinating guests. He was co-founder and president of the Arizona Dude Ranch Association and served as the president of the national Dude Ranchers’ Association for two terms.
In 2017, Russell was inducted into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame and the Family Travel Association named him Person of the Year in 2019.
He is the author of two books: Dude Ranching in Arizona and Dude Ranching in Wyoming, detailing the images and history of dude ranching in each state. He is an avid reader of history and a highly respected and entertaining public speaker.
Josie Hedderman
Josie grew up with horses and was known to ride bareback with a piece of rope around her palomino’s nose for a bridle. Both sides of Josie’s family have roots in Cody, Wyoming for more than 100 years. With a background in non-profit event management, hospitality, marketing, and packaged travel, she thrives in connecting people with history through elevated experiences.
Josie officially “took the reins” of the Dude Ranch Foundation in April 2024. She has been inspired by the opportunity to safeguard dude ranching history while actively working on future-focused programs.
Jaye Wells
Jaye Wells is a designer, developer and entrepreneur, and one half of the founders of True Ranch Hospitality with Russell True, as well as a principal of Ranch Preservation Holdings, LLC.
Jaye was born in Montgomery, Alabama and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended the Memphis College of Art and Parsons School of Design in New York where he studied product design, architecture, and urban development. In 1985, he began his own architectural firm, Wells & Associates, working in both restoration and home design throughout the Mid-South. His portfolio includes historic preservation and museum work.
Jaye has founded several non-profits including the Larry Hatchett Fishing Fund in 1990, which hosts foster children to take them deep sea fishing; and Mar a Mesa, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable fishing in the Sea of Cortez.
Jaye is Past President of Rillito Race Track in Tucson, the Birthplace of Quarter Horse Racing. He is a founder of the Rillito Park Foundation. Over the past four years, Jaye has worked to promote legislation at the Arizona State Capitol in connection to horse racing and dude ranching.