A brief summary of Arizona Dude Ranch history with an emphasis on Tucson’s often forgotten position as the “Dude Ranch Capitol of the World”.Russell True ~ Biography
Born in Denver, Colorado, Russell was brought to Tucson at 5 years old when his parents bought White Stallion Ranch. He has worked there for his entire 40 year working career and owns and manages the ranch with his brother.
-Graduated from University of Arizona in 1982 with a finance degree.
-Two-time president of The Dude Ranchers’ Association, the only multi-state dude ranch organization.
-Co-founder and president of the Arizona Dude Ranch Association.
-Board member of the Dude Ranch Foundation, a 501C3 dedicated to providing scholarships to rural students, rancher education, land preservation and preserving dude ranch history through its museum and archives in Cody, Wyoming.
-Along with partner Jaye Wells, established Ranch Preservation Holdings, LLC in 2016 to own, manage and save dude ranches across the West. Currently 4 ranches are in the True Ranch Collection, with plans to expand.
-Received the David J. Nivison award from the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance in 2016. The award recognizes “excellence in promoting tourism, attractions and dude ranches in Southern Arizona”.
-Inducted into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame in 2017.
-Named the Family Travel Person of the Year by the Family Travel Association in 2019.
-Board member and currently board chair of the Rillito Park Foundation, which operates racing, the farmers market and events at Pima County’s Rillito Park.
-Authored Dude Ranching in Arizona (Arcadia Publishing) in 2016.
-Authored Dude Ranching in Wyoming (Arcadia Publishing) in 2020.
