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Ryan Conner

 
I grew up in Montana on a ranch in the Bitterroot Valley.  I graduated from Darby High with about 40 kids in my class.  I tried college but found out it just wasn’t for me. 

I bought my first timber sale (post & pole) when I was a sophomore in high school. I really enjoyed the freedom of working outside.  I could never envision myself even being able to work in a cubical, so after high school I went to work in the logging industry.  I started as a landing man, progressed to hooking, then to timber falling by the time I was 21. 

At 24 I decided to go into business myself.  I’ve owned and operated various types of logging equipment until I purchased the helicopter in 2005, which we currently operate. 

I have a beautiful wife, who is also my business partner and four wonderful kids, 3 boys and a baby girl.

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Robin Conner


Since my first trip to the mountains when I was 3, I had always longed to be in the mountains.  After graduating college and moving from place to place, I took my chance, loaded up my S-10 Blazer with my faithful dog and everything I could fit and moved to western Montana.  Here I fell in love – not only with the Bitter Root Valley, but with my wonderful logger, Ryan, and decided to make Darby home!  Those early years I spent a lot of time in the woods with Ryan sitting along side him on which ever piece of equipment he was running that day, carrying his saw gas as he fell timber or staying warm by the landing fire.  I had my chance to experience logging first hand several times unhooking chokers when I was needed, and quickly realized how out of shape I was!  I did the books and payroll for Ryan’s logging company and opened my own restaurant.  In the next five years both businesses grew and we were very busy!  When we were expecting our first child I sold the restaurant and started working with Ryan more as our business grew, which also gave me the ability to spend more time raising our family. We now have 3 wonderful children who love to go to work with dad in the woods and watch the helicopter fly.  I am so blessed to have a great balance between being a parent and owning a family business with my husband.  When time allows I love to be in the mountains whether hiking, riding horses, or working with Ryan.  Spending our weekends camping or at the lakes is another favorite family pass time.

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Bart Colantuono


“The first time I flew, I knew that this is what I wanted to do the rest of my life.” And so, although he was making a good living managing restaurants, at 24 Bart quit the business and joined the Navy to fly helicopters and never looked back.

He has flown all over the world in a variety of helicopters but the work he enjoys the most is long-line work. Whether it be logging, fire-fighting or construction, Bart enjoys the challenges of flying the long-line. He also enjoys the diversity that the life of a nomadic helicopter pilot brings.

Bart loves to spend his free time either snowboarding, white water kayaking or at his home in Florida, surfing. He also has a life long passion for writing, turning flying adventures into fictional stories. His first novel, Helilogging in a Sucker Hole (rotoronoverpublishing.com)  was recently published and Bart is currently working on his second novel.

I’m working on a Web site of my own so I will want a link up once that is complete.

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Mike Ragenovich


I have been in heli-logging since 1983.  During that time I managed a logging business and was in charge of the helicopter maintenance.  In 2005 I began work for R&R Conner Aviation as chief mechanic for the heli-logging division.

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Laura Orr


At the age of 5 my parents opened up a Sand & Gravel, Red-e-Mix, and Trucking business in Ely, NV.  I remember my mother doing books at the kitchen table and then she partitioned off a space in the back of the front room for a desk.  Watching my mother work the adding machine, I knew that was what I wanted to do.

At the age of 14 I started working in the office with my mother (which was now an added room on the front of the house), filing and all the little things that no one else wanted to do.  But when she gave me the ledger book to add up and balance I was in heaven. 

We eventually moved our office up to the yard where we would be closer to operations.  My mother decided there was plenty of room to build a Bakery on the corner also.  I became manager and bookkeeper for the bakery and still had to keep up with running the trucking business and keeping all the books in order there, and raising a 4 year old on the side.  After 4 years we decided there was more profit in a yard of concert than a loaf of bread, so we closed the bakery and kept on truckin.

In 1999 I left the family business to move to Montana with the man who stole my heart. Although I do miss the desert in Nevada, I love the Bitterroot Valley, just wondering what kind of wildlife is going to be in the yard each day.  I’m always saying it can’t get any better than this.

I have worked for R&R Conner since Sept of 2008 and just love my job.  It’s nice to get up in the morning and look forward to going to work.  Ryan & Robin are great people to work for.

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Tim Dalgliesh


Timothy started logging at 22 years old. After 3 years of logging her decided to take a break and went to work in an Engine & radiator shop for 3 years.  He went back to logging and has been logging ever since.  He was traveled from Northwest states to Texas, New York, Alaska & has logged in 16 plus states.  Tim has 5 years experience hooking heli & conventional combined and eleven years falling timber.  Of the four helicopters that Tim has worked under, he says R&R is the best. 
Timothy is a divorced, 41 year old father of 3 wonderful boys, who enjoys old cars, snowboarding and various other outdoor sports, and some indoor ones as well.

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Jerad


I am 31 years old and currently live in Idaho/Montana/Indiana.  I grew up in southern Indiana, after graduating from high school I worked as a paramedic for 6 years and a police officer for 8.  I was a swat officer and motorcycle officer as well.  I had the opportunity  to move out West and work as woodland firefighter in the summer and of course the hardest job I've had is a hooker for R&R Conner.  I have a 9 year old son and like to hike, woodworking, surfing, running, climbing and anything that involves heights.  I like people that know how to work hard and do not complain.  You wont see me throwing fits and tantrums but some sarcasm and humor was used to hide my frustration and temper.

If you work hard and accept it as hard work then after all your hard work it will still be hard work and suck just like hard work.  So quit whining.  "author, that was me and I have more that make less sense too"

Favorite Saying.  Egos are really fear that we keep hidden so the world will think we are as great as we tell everyone. 

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David Hall


"As a second generation logger David Hall's father took him to his first helicopter logging operation at the age of six months.  This and the many other experiences growing up in and around the business led to logging becoming an integral part of his life.  David enjoys the highly dynamic nature of a job that presents a unique set of challenges and risks many people would not choose to partake in."

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Tylor Roundy


Hello to all my friends and fans.  I am 37 years old and have been in the heli-logging industry for 13 years and many other hard working jobs before that.  I have always pushed myself physically and mentally with my work.  I also have a masters degree in the school of hard knocks! Great lessons learned.  I worked with Carson Helicopter Inc for around 8 years working into a bullbuck position for 2 of those years.  I then went to work for R&R Conner Aviation as a project manager for approximately 2 years before needing a break. I was very exited when asked to join the team again.  I have had the opportunity to helicopter log throughout the US. The Appalachians, Smokey mountains, Louisiana swamp ground, Pacific coast and our beautiful Rocky Mountains.  Wow what an adventure this logging has been.
I have four wonderful children, two son’s Brandt who is 13 and Connor who is 8 and two step children from a previous marriage Josie 14 and Michael 11.  I live in Darby, Montana with my significant other Tonya. 
Living here gives me a window for the best outdoor activities a person could ask for.  My favorite activities include hunting, fishing, horseback riding, hiking or just going for a road trip on the HOG!!!
You can visit me on Facebook or Myspace to learn more about me Tylor Roundy (Happy Hooker).  

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Chris Brown


I am a 23 year old 2nd generation logger. I started in the woods when I was 16 throwing tongs under a heel boom line machine.  Since then I’ve been “hooked” on logging.  I will continue logging until I can’t log no more.  I started with R&R working on the landing & moved up to the most fulfilling job in the woods, hauling logs.  I am told that I am a die hard log hauler.  I drove away from my own wedding in the log truck that I drive for a living.

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Dean


Dean has been logging since he was 19.  He has been a rigging slinger, chaser and choker setter on a swing yarder and a tower.  He has also set some chokers under helicopters.  His main occupation and favorite is timber felling.

His hobbies are camping, packing with horses, hunting and going to brandings in the spring.  He also likes to watch his son play sports.  

He is a Montana native, born in Missoula and still makes his home in the Bitterroot Valley.

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Mike "Mikey" Blue


My name is Mike Blue, but I go by Mikey.  I’m happily married with three beautiful daughters. I am the proud owner of MLB Trucking, which is a family run business.

I grew up in and around the woods.  In the early 1980s, through out my high school years, I mechaniced, piled brush and built roads.  At the age of 15 I learned how to drive truck.  After high school I ran a skidder, loaded trucks, hooked under helicopters and drove log truck in 1988 legally for my dad, who had fifteen log trucks and three log loaders. Since then I’ve owned two straight trucks and one self loader, behind each one I’ve pulled a pup.

I’ve hauled logs in five or six western states, Montana has always been the best state to haul in.  It isn’t very often you can say you love your job and the people you work with, as well as where you live.

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Lance Conner

I am 38 years old, married to Samantha for nearly 14 years. We have 3 children, Chase 11, Madison 5 and my stepson Michael 20.
I started logging or what might have seemed to be logging (post & poles) in high school with my brother Ryan and a few friends. If it weren't for Dad (Steve Conner) and one of his friends letting us borrow the truck, tractor and trailer but most importantly his fuel card, that sale probably would have been in the red. (NO BEER MONEY)
After graduating high school I spent the next 10 summers commercial fishing in Alaska while returning to Montana to guide hunters in the fall. Eventually started logging in the winter, doing various logging jobs (running skidder, cat, even a little timber falling).
Finally I went out on a limb and bought my first log loader. I then started L&L (Limb & Load) Contracting in 1993, began contracting all types of log landings from yarders to helicopters.
I've always enjoyed the fast pace of helicopters the most. The real fact of the matter is, if you're working under a helicopter you're usually making money. I feel I've had plenty of practice at not making money.
In my off time I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, coaching wrestling and living the lifestyle of a Montanan. I'm open to just about everything as long as I have fun doing it.

Hi my name is Derrick Wood. I was born and raised in Hamilton, MT. I am married to Deana and have one step-daughter named Randee. We live in Corvallis, MT.
I have been in the logging industry since I graduated from high school in 1987. Right out of high school I started working for Merritt Logging. Where I learned most of my logging skills. I spent part of two years logging in Alaska running dozer, choker setter and working in the sort yard. This was one hell of an experience. I started cutting for Carson Helicopters in 1991 and then in 2000 started working for Schmadeka Timber Falling and adventured around the West.
I am currently working for White River Cutting, Inc and have been for sometime.
My hobbies are working outside doing yard work and projects around the house. And of course throwing down a beer or two.