Cowboy in a Corporate World: 37 Years of Life & Lessons on Koch Industries Beaverhead Ranch

by Ray Marxer

Overview

A Montana Cowboy. A Large Corporation. A Clash of Values.

When Ray was hired on to the Matador cowboy crew in 1974, his youthful dreams came true. Montana's sprawling Matador Cattle Company ranch had genuine cow camps, horses galore, and thousands of cattle. The 240,000-acre ranch, owned since 1951 by Koch Industries Inc., was known internally as the Beaverhead Ranch.

Beyond his dreams, Ray would manage the productive ranch for twenty-one years as it expanded to over 530 square miles of prime Montana ranch land and open space. As ranch manager, Ray led Montana's Matador to new heights of environmental and economic excellence. What happened in 2011, as he approached the finish line of a stellar career is staggering.

Woven throughout this memoir of family, faith, and work are nuggets of wisdom and valuable secrets for students planning a corporate career in ranching or corporate management. This true story will appeal to lovers of the American West, history fans, ranchers, and anyone who ever wanted to be a cowboy.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798218018917
Publisher:	RAM Publishing
Publication date:	08/18/2022
Pages:	254
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.58(d)

About the Author

The realization that much of the history of an iconic Montana ranch would die with him inspired Ray Marxer to write this memoir as a legacy for his children and to share his experience with those seeking to achieve profitability and sustainability in their ranch businesses. A fourth-generation Montana land and resource manager, Ray spent 37 years in the employ of Koch Industries, Inc. on Montana's Matador Cattle Company ranch-21 years as ranch manager. His leadership effectively guided the ranch to the highest profit and most stable workforce in the 70-year history of Koch ownership. A champion of innovative management, Ray was recognized with six national-level environmental stewardship awards, among others. He served several terms on Governor appointed boards for wildlife, land-use, and animal health; and is active in community and industry organizations. Ray and his wife Sue stay engaged in the beef industry with their ranch services business and a small place near Sheridan, Montana, where they run just enough cows, horses, and hay to pass along the benefits of living close to the land to their five grandchildren. "Just as knowledge without practical application is worthless, so is experience never shared." Ray Marxer

Editorial Reviews

This is a fantastic book. It reads like a manual on so many essential skills for thriving in not just ranching and business, but also in life. Skills like how to lead change in a large-scale business. How to advance within a corporate structure. How to make decisions in a complex system. But most importantly this book will teach you about the essential role of faith in creating true success in all these endeavors...

Clay Conry, Working Cows Podcast

If the Yellowstone TV show was based on actual reality, it would look like this book...Cowboy in a Corporate World showcases an incredible timeline of ranching history and gives a deep look into the realities that agricultural producers face while producing food for the other 98+% of the population that expects food to be waiting for them in the grocery store.

The Adventure Cowboy, YouTube Channel

A Must Read! Ray's book touches on so many things that we can learn from. From managing employees to leadership to balancing God, family, and our careers. There is so much wisdom in the book that I know I can come back to as a business owner and as a person...

Aly Robins, The Agriculture and Rural Business Podcast

From the Publisher