--- title: Our Team date: 2023-03-15T15:30:00-05:00 author: Gina Konechne canonical_url: "https://www.custerresorts.com/our-team" section: Pages --- ![Elk herd standing on a ridge](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/ElkHerd2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=60&h=35&c=a48dd78d&v=52153e48edd1c13add0bde11dc8bdd8daa31d6f74e67f0cd00b247223a3122de) # Our Team We love the Park fiercely. We go play outside. We live local, we support local. We believe in collaboration; in showing up for people in need; in family first. We are Custer State Park Resort's year-round senior management team. ## Josh Schmaltz **President & CEO,** [**Ramkota**](http://www.ramkotacompanies.com) **Companies** Perhaps it is because he grew up on a ranch in northwestern South Dakota (we like to think it's because we are all so remarkable to be around) but even as he fast-forwarded his operational career to assume leadership of the ownership company, Josh still keeps a hand in the Park. ![Headshot of Josh Schmaltz](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/JoshHeadshotHiRes1600x1040b.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=c54132da&v=685f064d102528249f739c79eeaf4a90e7c90bf11278c13ec021b9a9463a6238) ### A Note From Josh *Allow me to introduce you to this team of upstanding professionals, many of whom I have had the pleasure of working side-by-side with since 2007, when we were awarded Custer State Park's concession contract. I was named Director of Operations at the time, and I have since raised my family within these majestic 71,000 acres. It is my sincere hope that you, too, are able to make memories at each of our heartwarmingly-unique Lodges during your stay. Dine at the Game Lodge and catch the herd bounding through. Kick your heels off and breathe in the fresh canyon air at our Chuckwagon Cookout. Experience Sylvan's unrivaled views, and let your kids delight in the sand between their toes at Legion Lake. Welcome to my second home. May you get caught in many buffalo jams.* ## Ryan Flick **Director of Operations** Lifetime hospitality expert. Hill City, SD native with roots in Florida. BHSU grad, 2000. Decades of campground management & destination resort experience. Dedicated to the company since 2015. Hard rock music aficionado. Hunter. Fisherman. Returns to an all-female household and his home hobby farm when not leading the Custer State Park Resort team to victory. ![Headshot of Ryan Flick](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/RyanHeadshot1600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=1c656915&v=e06d5565326d4bc5105d35d9ae5977aba2dd935ef0d69ec1dc30f278f095f29d) ## Gina Konechne **Regional Director of Sales/Marketing** Lifetime destination resort specialist. Yankton, SD native with roots in Texas. Double majored (2005). Effectively leads the teams through sales, event management, web content & e-commerce marketing strategy development & execution. Mother of dragons two girls. ![Headshot of Gina Konechne](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/GinaHeadshot1600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=02b4a34f&v=8810ebc19f150f8b86222030bedbe0d489090887f1418b9510b7d93f5ca4e840) ## Susie Timm **Reservations/Tour Group Manager** CSP Resort's longest-tenured senior manager. Illinois native, Custer State Park Resort expert. Fearless dedication. Has done it all, still does it all, but prefers leading the reservations team through thick and thin. ![Headshot of Susie Timm](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/SusieHeadshot1600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=11347ae7&v=41f01dbbf8cd88a038620dc702f9b25c77916576da17d1f695b424c77e698a69) ## Teresa Cortney **GM, Blue Bell Lodge** Known as "T". Ferocious leader. Dependable manager. Persuaded her retired husband to help manage her lodge, and together, they are raising their family here right. Natural caretaker. Believes in a strong faith and a hearty homecooked meal. ![Headshot of Teresa Cortney](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/TeresaHeadshot21600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=7057ebdd&v=5f0f14994acfed47a25e90807488d1336cc35e496e4b44d60fac6a3df1cca9b5) ## Jason Krulish **GM, State Game Lodge** *(Feat. Bailey)* Hospitality *and* Horticulture expert. Sioux Falls, SD native with roots in Minnesota. SDSU grad. Started with CSPR in '92 as a housekeeper, and returned to his beginnings since 2015. Lives (literally) and breathes Custer State Park day-in and day-out. ![Headshot of Jason Krulish](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/JasonHeadshot1600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=125660b0&v=165cade8568545d4753a12d9c1ddb6725431dc8b261b92337b31fb2b6448bea7) ## Nickolas Reinke **GM, Sylvan Lake Lodge** Minnesota native. Attended NDSU. Hospitality extraordinaire. Dedicated to the company since '09 and to Custer State Park Resort since 2016. Passion for team management. Hopelessly devoted husband and grandfather. ![Headshot of Nickolas Reinke](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/NickHeadshot1600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=38fca8df&v=bece6a95192011bcd03cefbf4ecd24fb615eb3606b90493f4debb2a1a67f57ea) ## Eric Robinson **Director of Retail Operations** Three decades of retail management experience. Much of his career spent at Yellowstone. Been there, done that. Purchaser. Manager. Leader. Makes all six retail outlets shine. ![Headshot of Eric Robinson](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/EricHeadshot21600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=d813b6de&v=5537f90ac0617d7b2bf48a8901cf90f1e5e3c1ccd632ea486f063698ac728d7b) ## Kylie Tuggle **Human Resources Director** Wyoming native. UW grad (Communications; Marketing, Minor, 2017). Passionate wrangler. Stables leader. Entrepreneurial work ethic. Pioneers Custer State Park Resort's seasonal staffing efforts, year after year. ![Headshot of Kylie Tuggle](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/KylieHeadshot1600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=c76c9710&v=bbe8e80a480f51cc6f89d322d0834c433933f6e47470c3b4fb48c138e089f555) ## Chef Epifanio Manzano **Executive Chef, State Game Lodge** Born in the Philippines. Fearlessly humble beginnings. Now boasts nationally-accredited experience. Take a minute to learn more about [Chef Epi](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063588013367). ![Headshot of Chef Epifanio Manzano](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/EpiHeadshot1600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=6604502a&v=e1c192f82d95e7d68a57adfef7adf0c80af42465a2fb96b6f95575ff09a96cb8) ## Gina Isaacson **Director of Catering** Custer State Park enthusiast-turned-career since 2014. Minnesota native. Le Cordon Bleu, Mendota Heights graduate, 2015. Leader in event planning, banquets, kitchens, and operations teams. A talented hobbyist. Multifaceted. Truehearted. ![Headshot of Gina Isaacson](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/GinaHeadshot1600x1040-2.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=d87b03f7&v=bf187a22b23ac9956539833aec35575a1ceec9e9e796b560899af51c5047f8d0) ## MacKenzie Markegard **Sales/Catering Manager** Hospitality extraordinaire. Bismarck, ND native with experience in various parks. Dedicated to the hospitality industry since 2016 and a familiar face returning to Custer State Park Resort, where she started at the Front Desk & Assistant Manager before being promoted to Sales & Catering. Accomplished solo traveler & hiker. Avid reader. Dedicated volunteer. ![A bluebird in a pine tree at custer state park](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/bluebird-1600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=41a0680f&v=4570ac1f0fe576f1185642a4a4d93b70a474437aab355047c927bdb2841cfbfc) ## Tim Tuggle **Stables Manager** Indiana-born horse rancher. Fiercely cares for & protects our herd; credited with growing them from under 40 head when he took over in 2011, to over 70 strong today. Passionate about adopting and training wild horses who would have otherwise been lost to a kill pen. ![Headshot of Tim Tuggle](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Tim-Tuggle-06.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=cb41d83a&v=c1543d8ce54ae730d72f80b9afc1c8f0e8e9cd20028107352591e2877041328f)