AARON THOMAS
Aaron is a native Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in geology. He worked in the oil and gas industry for 15 years as a geophysicist with notable success finding new oil and gas reserves. His parents were interested in rockhounding and fostered his interest in the hobby at an early age. This interest has continued unabated since then. He has over 25 years of experience in rockhounding and prospecting in the TransPecos region of West Texas. After settling in Alpine sometime ago he began leading guided rock hunts on local ranches and over the past few years he has led over 450 guided hunts in the area.
Favorite Agate: Plume Agate
JAMES WINN VI
James graduated from Washington College in Maryland and has completed a graduate degree in ranch land management from Sul Ross University in Alpine. He is one of the owners and land managers of the Kokernot o6 Ranch and lives in Alpine. He loves hiking all over the ranch and exploring the many different environments present there. He is new to rockhounding but knows the ranch intimately and has helped Aaron locate many of the agate bearing locations collectors can visit. He is now learning the geology of the area to complement his knowledge of the land.
Favorite agate: Blue Fox Condor agate, found on the ranch.
ROY E. SAFFEL
Roy E. Saffel came to the Alpine area because of lung health issues and became a volunteer at the Big Bend Ranch State Park. He previously had lived in the Houston area and had careers in the clothing industry, retail operations, real estate enterprises and Wall Street. He has completed a BS in Environmental Geology from Lamar University and a MS in Natural Resource Management from Sul Ross University.
"I have always been a people person that never meets a stranger."
"My love of rocks has been forever as my friends always brought me a rock as a souvenir of their travels. Nature is a fantastic and beautiful artist. Rockhounding is a perfect way to keep us in good physical shape as I see the results every single day. My association with my friends James Winn and Aaron Thomas is truly a terrific way to spend the days plus our clients are terrific bright interesting people that have become good friends."