Leadership

Krystle Ramsay received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Baylor University in August 2005.  Just two weeks later, she began her career at HCYR as a Direct Care Staff at the Doss Assessment Center.  Krystle has served in various capacities to include Residential Treatment Director, Director of Training and Professional Development, and Director of Operations.  Krystle completed her Master of Social Work at University of Texas, San Antonio in August 2013 and is a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW).

 Under Krystle’s leadership, Hill Country Youth Ranch has expanded its services to include HCYR Foster and Adopt Program, and implemented a trauma informed program utilizing Trust Base Relational Intervention (TBRI).  Krystle is passionate about helping the disadvantaged populations.  Feeling called to ministry at an early age, Krystle spent her young professional years working in the inner-cities of San Antonio, Waco, and Memphis.  Krystle has dedicated her career and life’s work to helping vulnerable groups with the hope of empowering them for success.

Gary Priour, Founder of Hill Country Youth Ranch in Ingram, Texas, graduated from Harvard University, cum laude, in 1969 with a major in English Literature. He received a Masters Degree in the same field at Portland State University in 1971. He taught high school and college English and literature before devoting himself full-time as a single parent to the care of his 2-year-old son. His involvement with abused and abandoned children began in 1972 when, at his day[1]care center in Portland, Oregon, a mother left a 2-year-old girl for whom she did not return. He has been involved with the care of such children ever since.

 Priour has participated in the evolution of the Texas child care system since founding and opening Hill Country Youth Ranch in 1977. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Licensed Children’s Services, been State Chairman of the Residential Treatment Section of TALCS, served as President of the Texas Alliance for Children, and worked on two state task forces whose goal was to revamp the service delivery system for at-risk children and families in Texas. Priour has overseen the design and operation of a “continuum of care” that provides a broad array of residential and educational settings and services for children and youth of all ages and need levels. He has supervised the building of four charter school campuses, two medical/psychiatric assessment centers, three “small-town” villages in rural and ranch settings, and apartment complexes for young adult graduates of the foster care system. These facilities operate interconnectedly as a continuum to offer a variety of life-enhancing communities and programs, each promoting the healing and education of abused and homeless children and young adults, ages 5 – 24.

The constant goal of this continuum is to find the best possible setting for each child, teen, or young adult, where individual needs for healing and learning can be met at each stage of growth, while allowing him or her to remain in the same family of caregivers and mentors as he or she matures and enters adulthood. Priour’s idea of family is that it extends throughout life, and the more than 2100 alumni of the HCYR programs can attest to that. All are welcome to return to one of the numerous alumni guest houses at any time, apply for educational grants regardless of age, and also receive emergency aid in a time of crisis. The Alumni Association is an active community for Ranch graduates, exchanging support and advice to alumni of all ages.

Keith is a native Texan and grew up in the Lubbock area.  Keith has worked in non profit fundraising for over 30 years, with the majority being for organizations serving children both here in Texas and internationally.

Keith is married (wife is middle school nurse for Comal ISD and they have three adult children living in Texas, Colorado and South Carolina.  Keith and his wife re-located to the Hill Country three years ago and enjoy hiking and golf.  Keith is also a certified ESL instructor and enjoys volunteer teaching English in his spare time.

Keith loves to serve with like-minded individuals and is excited to advance the mission at HCYR.

Wynita Yancy is an experienced Communications professional with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry for firms such as Linden Capital Partners, Cresset Asset Management and Citadel. She is skilled in Client and Donor Relations, Corporate Communication, and Event Management, Wynita holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, with a minor in Organizational Communications from DePaul University.

 She has 15 years of experience in Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Finance; spending the last six years in the hedge fund & private equity space. In 2013, Wynita was asked by local business leaders to spearhead the launch of a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, where she led the organization in fundraising, programming & volunteer efforts for over two years as Executive Director.

 The overall key driver and differentiator for Wynita is her "Why" which is to give back to the less fortunate, specifically children in under-resourced communities; and offer opportunities, mentorship and provision.