Management Bios
Lynda Caine
Owner
Growing up nearby, spending her summers on the Lake, the Firehole Ranch was always a special place for Lyndy. So, when she learned in 1999 that her beloved Firehole Ranch was destined to be sliced into 20-acre ranchettes, she couldn’t stand by and watch. Well aware of the Ranch’s long, rich history, she chose to save the pristine 640 acres by purchasing it herself. In doing so, she managed to preserve not only the original 640 acres that were first settled in the 1860s, but she also rescued the historic structures as well as the intimate fly fishing experience.
Rather than providing a modern day experience out in the wilds of Montana, Lyndy chose to maintain the exceptional opportunity to completely escape the modern world. A rarity today, Lyndy believes the Firehole Ranch exists to teach us all a lesson about life, fly fishing and what is truly important. She and her staff have a keen understanding of the symbiotic relationship of the Ranch with the land around it, and make every effort to practice good stewardship and sustainable practices. “Our greatest satisfaction comes from watching our visitors decompress and become centered, again as they reconnect with themselves and the natural world around them,” Lyndy remarks. “We make every effort to ensure that we can continue to provide this extraordinary escape for generations to come."
Mark and Kim Parlett
General Manager and
Business and Marketing Manager
Beginning their first season at the Ranch, Mark and Kim are honored and enthused to call the Firehole home. They were seduced from the Southeast by Montana’s open spaces, beautiful scenery and plethora of outdoor activities. On a 90-mile horse-packing trip with friends through Yellowstone National Park's Thoroughfare last summer, they set a goal to find a new professional trail in life; a trail that would allow them to work together in the landscape they both adore and to utilize their diverse experiences. After significant investments in their careers, they shifted gears and joined Lyndy and the team at the Firehole. "We are so fortunate. What a gift to be able to take the skills we have from years of experience in our respective professions and marry them with a well-established, historical lodge with the unique ability of providing their guests with a taste of what drove us both to Montana."
Mark grew up in Virginia and through his father, developed a passion for the outdoors at an early age. During his youth, he fished and hunted his way across the countryside each year longing to live and play in the "Big Sky Country" of the west. After serving in the Marines, Mark attended Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue his education in therapeutic recreation and psychology to help at-risk teens and families in the outdoors and hopefully one day start his own program. When he wasn’t studying or working, he was outdoors. An "old-timer" named Ralph, a retired 300+ days-a-year fly fishing addict, took Mark under his wing and introduced him to fly fishing. "It wasn’t just the time outdoors. The art, the science, the intimate experience all pulled me in." Mark was hooked for life. The two spent many days fly fishing and discussing life.
After college, Mark set out for Montana to pursue not only a career in helping troubled teens in the outdoors, but also a life surrounded by fishing, hunting and skiing. Reflecting on the past 15 years brings a smile to his face. He not only accomplished what he set out to do both personally and professionally, but he also started one of the most well-respected non-profit wilderness therapy programs in the country. For Mark, working with people and having a positive impact on their life, building teams and being in the outdoors feeds his soul.
Experiencing the soul-stretching scenery of Montana during travels to visit her Mom and Stepdad in Bozeman, Kim knew after her first trip she would have a hard time silencing the desire to live here. Having spent time on a horse farm outside of Atlanta and attending college at the University of the South in rural Tennessee, she knew both the peace and inner-growth that comes from spending time outdoors. Leaving her corporate career behind was challenging, but meeting Mark on a blind date while visiting family was just the incentive she needed to make the leap. Being intimately involved with the marketing and strategy for the Montana Office of Tourism for the last two years confirmed her love and passion for Montana.
Kim is not afraid of hard work and getting her hands dirty. Her experience working at her Dad and Stepmom's Arabian horse farm growing up and being an All-American college basketball player taught her the value of a hard day’s work and setting high goals for herself. Her drive to excel and execute with excellence resulted in her earning her Masters in Business Administration at Vanderbilt University and having a successful marketing career with companies such as Miller Brewing Company, General Motors and the Atlanta Hawks NBA team. Taking time to kick back and experience life came on travels with her families to Europe, the Caribbean, Central America and around United States.
During the off-season, Mark and Kim reside in their home on the Jefferson River and celebrate their time in the outdoors with their dogs Annie and Jack. "It is very rare that you are able to be part of something as special as the Firehole Ranch. For us, it is the perfect fit; working with people, both guests and staff, who have a deep passion for one of the most beautiful places on earth and all it has to offer. Top that off with Bruno’s culinary masterpieces and it’s simply perfect."
