Ralph is currently the longest serving board member of the JBTC. He has been involved with the trail concept since ~1997 when a two county group was formed to investigate a rail to trail project. The group found the condition of the tracks to be much better than expected which led ultimately in the railroad being acquired by Wallowa and Union Counties. He is a founding member of the Friends of the Joseph Branch, which currently operates the excursion train on the line. He became involved in what is now the JBTC in its early stages. He is a strong proponent of keeping the tracks in place for an operating railroad, and for building a trail beside the tracks. As a bicyclist and hiker he certainly sees the advantage of having a relatively level trail away from the traffic on the roads for safety, aesthetic, and health reasons.

Owner, Wallowa Mountain Engineering

Community: Board Member, Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretive Center, Inc.; Board Member, Friends of the Joseph Branch