The Team
Get to Know the River Fort Ranch Family
Sarah Goff Photography
Dori DeJong
Dori DeJong is the owner of River Fort Ranch, which she founded in 2013 on her family's ancestral acreage. A lifelong steward of the land, she was raised on a neighboring dairy farm and attended Platte Valley High School down the road in Kersey.
After attending the University of Northern Colorado, Dori earned a Master of Social Work and a Juris Doctor at the University of Denver, where she also completed her MBA. Under her leadership, the 245-acre working ranch has become one of the region's most sought-after destinations for weddings and events.
Dori calls her approach "Western luxury," pairing the ranch's authentic spirit with refined hospitality. Her son, Caden, represents the fourth generation to call this land home.
Caden DeJong
Caden DeJong is a fourth-generation steward of River Fort Ranch and plans to return to help manage the property after graduation. He is completing his Bachelor of Science at the University of Arizona's College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences.
Caden currently works at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain near Tucson, where he is mastering the art of world-class service. After completing Forbes Leadership Training, he was named Evening Valet Lead at the Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond resort.
Growing up here alongside extended family gave Caden a deep commitment to honoring this land. He is especially excited to showcase the ranch's immersive experiences and welcome guests celebrating life's most important moments.
Sydney True
Sydney True is the Event Operations Manager at River Fort Ranch. A Fine Arts graduate, she started in Los Angeles fine dining at Ruth's Chris Steak House and Miro, then bartended at COV Edina in the Twin Cities. Those roles taught her how food and drink set the tone for a grand celebration.
Most recently, Sydney spent four years on the Events Team at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond resort. She now brings that resort-level service to the ranch, so every weekend unfolds with ease for couples and their guests.
Sydney lives in Windsor with her husband and son, along with their two dogs. The family loves their community and is proud to call Colorado home.
Linda O'Hare
Linda O'Hare is the Client Experience & Sales Manager at River Fort Ranch. Of Italian descent, she was born and raised in Germany, where she studied event management and accounting. She went on to manage events for wineries.
Before moving to the United States in 2007, Linda served as event director for a well-known publishing house in the wine and spirits world. She has since spent more than 15 years in the wedding industry, and she brings a European sense of hospitality to every weekend at the ranch.
Linda is married and the proud mother of two teenage boys. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and playing the accordion, though time with her family comes first.
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Claire Schlieter
Claire Schlieter is the Assistant Marketing Director and Event Coordinator at River Fort Ranch, where her passion for hospitality shapes every detail of the guest experience. A Colorado State University graduate, she earned her degree in Communications with a minor in Business.
Claire brings a background in event coordination and client relations, along with a creative eye for content. She loves helping couples and organizations bring their visions to life while sharing the beauty of the ranch with every guest who spends a weekend here.
When she's not at the ranch, Claire enjoys reading and going to the movies. Country concerts and family time are favorites, and she's always on the hunt for a new coffee shop.
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Chuck Williams
Chuck Williams is the Property Manager at River Fort Ranch, where he has been an integral part of the team since 2019. He oversees and maintains the ranch’s 245 acres, making sure every weekend unfolds seamlessly.
Chuck brings a background in both construction and customer service to the ranch. That combination shows in his work every day, pairing hands-on craftsmanship with a genuine, guest-first approach. Whether he is tending to the facilities or tackling a project, he takes pride in getting the details right.
Chuck feels truly blessed to care for such a beautiful property. Away from work, he loves spending quality time with his wonderful wife and young daughter.
Sarah Goff Photography
Kelsey Sheffield
Kelsey Sheffield is the Director of Beverage Operations at River Fort Ranch. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, but her path took a turn toward hospitality when she began bartending weddings part-time.
Over 12 years of bartending, Kelsey has developed a deep love for weddings and special events. She treasures being part of couples' happiest milestones. As Director of Beverage Operations, she brings a sharp operational eye and warm hospitality to each bar at the ranch, elevating every guest's experience all weekend long.
Since 2021, Kelsey has also embraced life as a stay-at-home mom, balancing family with the event work that remains her passion.
Vanessa Ehredt
Vanessa Ehredt is the Housekeeping Manager and a member of the Property Team at River Fort Ranch. For a decade, she has helped make the ranch beautiful and welcoming for every couple and their guests.
Vanessa takes pride in the behind-the-scenes work that guests may never notice but always feel. From the lodging to the event spaces, she makes sure the little details are cared for before anyone arrives.
Outside of work, Vanessa loves riding her bike and spending time outdoors. Staying active and taking care of herself are important to her, and she never tires of exploring everything Colorado has to offer.
Dawn Camara
Dawn Camara is a Weddings and Events Bartender at River Fort Ranch, where she is celebrating her first year behind the bar. She has bartended weddings and events on and off for 22 years, and she still loves being part of each couple's celebration.
Dawn has taught preschool for 29 years, shaping little minds and big dreams. The warmth and patience she brings to the classroom carry over to every guest she serves at the ranch.
Family is at the heart of Dawn's life. She and her husband have four grown children, and she is a proud Mimi to four grandsons with two more grandbabies on the way. In her free time, she loves camping under open Colorado skies.
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Skyler Williams
Skyler Williams is the Property Assistant at River Fort Ranch. Currently a senior at the University of Northern Colorado, Skyler is gaining valuable hands-on experience across the ranch's 245 private acres.
Every weekend here depends on a property that looks and runs at its best. Skyler takes pride in helping make that happen alongside a team that has been a source of both personal and professional growth.
Skyler is excited to be on the River Fort Ranch team and keep learning every season. Being part of what makes the ranch so special is something Skyler never takes for granted.
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Tommy Meyer
Tommy Meyer is the Cowboy at River Fort Ranch. Raised in a small farming community, he discovered his passion for livestock at a young age, and it has continued to grow ever since.
For Tommy, working with livestock isn't just a job—it’s a way of life. He currently works three jobs, each centered on caring for and handling animals. He is also an avid team sorter, a sport that pairs his love of cattle with a competitive streak.
At the ranch, Tommy brings the hard work and dedication that have always defined him. There's nowhere he'd rather be than working with livestock and doing what he loves.