The Team

Mike is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in the sports, athletic, and fitness industry. With a degree in Economics from UCLA and a master’s degree in Athletic Administration from Seattle Pacific University, he has held executive GM positions in private athletic clubs and served as a Director of a Sports Commission. For 6 years Mike coached women’s collegiate volleyball.  Mike’s leadership and coaching skills have empowered and motivated countless student-athletes in the sport of volleyball from high school, club, and college levels. Mike played 3 years boys club volleyball, 4 years college, 7 years USAV men’s indoors, and over 15 years playing beach volleyball and represented the USA in the World Masters Games in Edmonton, Canada.  In addition to coaching volleyball, Mike also coached USA swimming, water polo, diving, soccer, and tennis.  He believes in creating safe, healthy, and fun environments for youth and families through participating in sports and athletics.

Mike started his sports career working as a lifeguard and swim instructor and went on to add aquatic programming and management to his skill set.  As a dedicated family man and a dedicated coach, he embodies the values of honesty, empathy, and care, making him an approachable and reliable leader in the industry.  Mike is an energizing, experienced, future-thinking, and strategic leader.  His leadership and coaching skills empower and motivate those around him, embodying a commitment to improving the quality of life through the power of sports.

Originally from Seattle, he relocated to Eugene, Oregon and ultimately Portland as he continued his career in the sports industry.  Mike served as GM at large tennis and athletic club facilities along with serving as Club Director and Head Coach with two large USA Volleyball programs in Washington and Oregon helping to continue the playing careers of over 200 student-athletes at the college levels. 

“I’m excited for the opportunity to be a part of such an extraordinary project as the WYO Sports Ranch.  As a sports professional I know the impact a high-quality state-of-the-art facility can have on providing the best athlete and guest experience possible.  Thank you to the McMurry Foundation, the board members of the WSR, and all those who’ve supported this project.  Your belief in this facility and what it will mean for our youth and our community will not go unnoticed.  Your support and vision will forever be appreciated by every young girl and boy who play, train, and enjoy this wonderful facility. 

I’m especially looking forward to building a highly talented and capable team of sports and service minded individuals who will work together to exceed the expectations of our youth, families, and guests.  I hope to bring a level of expertise, experience, and leadership to the WSR that inspires and empowers each member of the team to bring their best each day.  Each individual team member at the WSR will have the support, training, and tools to feel they play an important role in making every guest welcome, valued, and motivated to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle.  I have over 30 years of diverse experience in the sports industry, and I want to use that experience to move the WSR forward and develop a team who will assure a sustainable future.  I hope to involve myself in the community as an advocate of sport and athletics for all ages.  I’m excited to participate in city organizations and groups where I can support initiatives that improve the quality of life for youth and the community.”

Sam Bird is the Director of Operations for Wyo Sports Ranch.

Bird brings a wealth of experience in business and sports management to this new position. He is an accomplished professional who has, over the past decade, successfully managed many projects, operations, and cross-functional teams in the sport and fitness industry across Kentucky, Arizona, and Wyoming. He is beyond excited and blessed to bring his education, experience, and values to WSR.

Bird’s local roots make him uniquely positioned to understand and cater to the needs of the community. As a resident of Casper, his firsthand experience and deep connections to the community will provide invaluable insights as he leads operations at WSR. As he transitions into his role, he is eager to use his local perspective to enrich Wyo Sports Ranch and our community.

His passionate determination to create a positive, enriching environment at WSR is sure to establish the facility as a leading center for sports, community spirit, and personal growth.

Bird graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Sciences in Economics. Currently nearing completion of his Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Wyoming, Sam’s track record exemplifies his keen ability to drive operational excellence and implement strategic initiatives that promote growth and success.

Bird’s journey in sports began with his passion for various athletic pursuits during his childhood. He grew up playing numerous sports but fell in love with soccer. He played competitively in local club and school teams all throughout his youth. His love for the sport propelled him to a collegiate soccer career at Spring Arbor University, coaching many teams along the way. After graduating college, he switched to competitive fitness (CrossFit) and has enjoyed bridging the gap between developing sport-specific skills and relevant strength and conditioning needed for that sport. This personal connection to sports, coupled with his professional know-how, makes him uniquely qualified to lead operations at Wyo Sports Ranch.

Nicole Klungness brings creative expertise and a deep-rooted passion for sports to the Wyo Sports Ranch. With a BFA in Graphic Design from Black Hills State University, she has well-developed skills in visual communication and storytelling. Nicole began her career in Casper as a professional graphic designer and photographer, where she blended creativity and functionality while creating lasting professional relationships. 

As a Casper native and lifelong athlete, Nicole has an intimate understanding of the community’s need for a large, state-of-the-art sports facility like the Wyo Sports Ranch. Nicole played multiple sports growing up including soccer, golf, basketball, and track. She excelled in soccer and golf, which led her to break the Kelly Walsh High School record for career and season goals, and become a 3-time State Champion and All-State golfer. Nicole finished her student-athlete career as a collegiate golfer at BHSU. With a soft spot for athletics, Nicole looks forward to nurturing a vibrant sports culture within the community. 

As Director of Marketing and Business Development, Nicole is dedicated to championing The Wyo Sports Ranch’s mission of providing a top-tier sports facility and comprehensive sports programming for Casper’s youth. Nicole strives to foster connections within the community, tell stories, and help ignite a passion for sports.

Kaitlyn grew up in Calaveras County, California.  She was given the opportunity to play multiple sports from a young age. She made the early decision to specialize in softball through the California Grapette’s Softball organization.  Kaitlyn was 1st team All League & All-Academic Team at both Softball & Volleyball while at Calaveras High School.  Injuries and family life cut Kaitlyn’s college softball career short.  She is thankful for the coaches that pushed her, and the opportunities her parents provided for her to play her sport at a high level.  Kaitlyn was surrounded by a competitive, driven family.  She looked up to her grandfather Stephen O’Meara, who was instrumental in the evolution of the California Interscholastic Federation. A lifelong educator and sports fanatic, her Papa Steve emphasized the importance of developing well rounded Student-Athletes.

In 2009 Kaitlyn returned to her Alma Matter to coach the freshman volleyball team and later transitioned to the Head Varsity Coach.   With the help of her mentor, she worked to keep the athletes playing in the off season with the Calaveras Gold Volleyball Club.  Kaitlyn is a big believer in developing fundamentals from a young age.  Through district wide youth clinics and coaching 7th & 8th grade B teams she worked to unite all levels of the sport in her community. Kaitlyn is very excited to be able to give back to the sports that built her and plans to be involved in developing young volleyball players at the Wyoming Sports Ranch and looks forward to learning from the experience of Mike Gaffaney.

She relocated to Wyoming in Spring 2011 and spent 11 years in Riverton farming, ranching, training horses and raising her family. Kaitlyn began to feel like she had left something on the table. She committed herself to furthering her education and earned her Bachelors of Science Business Administration, Accounting through Western Governors University in February of 2024.  She is now pursuing her Masters degree in Accounting.

Kaitlyn feels blessed by the opportunity to be involved in the Wyoming Sports Ranch.  She believes it will elevate youth sports state-wide by  giving young athletes access, repetition, and a firm foundation to build their skills to the next level. She looks forward to seeing future champions come in through the doors to play, learn, compete…. and grow into amazing humans.  

Kaitlyn has three children; Madison, Rye Ty & Boldry.  They are her “why” in everything she does.  Success to Kaitlyn is showing her children how  to embrace challenges, view failure as opportunity, and believe that their goals are achievable. 

“Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… play for her.” —Mia Hamm

Dirk and his wife Jill have four active children ranging in ages from elementary through high school.  As a father he has coached numerous sports teams and volunteered in various roles in youth sports.  He is excited to be serving on the board of The Ranch.  As a lifelong Wyoming native, he is eager to see the opportunities the sports complex will provide for youth in Casper and Wyoming.

As a Certified Public Accountant for over 20 years he has been involved with various boards and organizers over the years.  He is currently a partner with the firm Lenhart, Mason & Associates in Casper.

Jim is a co-founder of Casper based Transportation Partners and Logistics and Global Specialized Services and serves as the President and CEO of Takkion Group which is the holding company of these entities as well as Renew Energy Maintenance of Sioux Falls , SD  and Airway Services of San Angelo, TX. These companies primarily serve the Oil and Gas and the renewable energy industries.

Jim and his wife Shannon were both born and raised in Casper Wyoming and graduated from Natrona County High School. They have three children and six grandchildren. They enjoy traveling, spending time with their family and watching their grandchildren excel academically and athletically in the sports they participate in. 

Kyle is the Chief Operating Officer for WERCS (307 First) whose mission is to own, operate, invest in and grow Wyoming businesses (www.307first.com). Kyle has a B.S. in Economics from Gonzaga University and. J.D. from the University of Wyoming. He was a practicing attorney in Casper for nearly 10 years focused on corporate law and civil litigation. He is currently President of Mountain West Technologies Corporation, 307 Horse Racing (Derby Club Gaming Parlors), 307 Tech Pros, and has a variety of other roles at WERCS’ investments and subsidiaries. 

His non-profit endeavors include service as the President of the Healthy Births and Infant Brains Foundation, a Director at Mercer Family Resource Center, Olivia Caldwell Foundation, and Advance Casper. He is passionate about the Wyo Sports Ranch’s mission and local economic development initiatives. Kyle, his wife Erica, and their two children live in Casper.