EP 119: Mike Schmid, WGFD Commissioner & Owner of Solitude Ranch and Outfitters LLC

In Episode 119 of District of Conservation, Gabriella chats with Mike Schmid—owner and operator of Solitude Ranch & Outfitters, LLC. Mike also serves as one of seven Wyoming Game and Fish Department Commissioners, in District 3.  Here's Mike's bio: He's also the president and CEO of SOS Well Services, LLC.  Mike has 40 years of experience in oilfield services, including managing roustabout crews; constructing well field roads and drill pads, managing trucks, equipment, and hundreds of employees; and administering complex Oil & Gas projects. His early career began by working for various oilfield-related companies. Mike founded Schmid Oilfield Services, Inc. in 1984.  This successful company was sold to First Energy Services in June 2000. Mike remained with the company, serving as the President and COO. During his time with First Energy Services, Mike was an integral part of the team that acquired 5 more oilfield related companies with operations throughout the Rocky Mountain region and Alaska where he managed over 400 employees and hundreds of pieces of equipment and vehicles. Eventually the company was sold to Basic Energy Services in October 2003.  While working for First Energy Services, Mike founded SOS Well Services as a workover rig company. In 2006, Mike started to expand SOS Well Services to create the multi-million-dollar operation that exists today. During the time building his first oilfield company Mike also founded Schmid Development Co. as a company that buys, sells and leases commercial properties. This company still operates today and holds properties in Wyoming, Nebraska and Michigan. In late 2000 after the sale of his company to First Energy Services and while working for them as their President & COO he purchased the Watts Ranch near Devils Tower, WY. Mike continued to purchase, and lease land there and eventually founded Solitude Ranch & Outfitters, LLC. The ranch today consists of 8500 acres of prime Black Hills land. The ranch has a reputation for quality Whitetail deer, Mule deer and Turkey hunting as well as raising Angus cattle. Today, Mike oversees the operations of all three of his companies as well as serving as a Wyoming Game & Fish Commissioner, appointed By Governor Mead in 2017 to serve a 6-year term. He also serves as a Board of Directors member for the Wyoming State 4-H Foundation. Mike was also one of the organizing members of the now successful 10-year-old “Old West Turkey Shoot” (OWITS) that is held in Hulett, WY every May. The event was organized to promote turkey hunting in Wyoming and to raise funds for the Greater Hulett Community Center (GHCC) which serves the rural ranching families and community of Hulett, WY. The event raises well over 100,000.00/year for this cause. *SHOW NOTES* Book at trip with Solitude Ranch & Outfitters LLC. Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the podcast.