Thunderhill Ranch Staff
Chad Barington - Ranch Manager
Born and raised in East Texas, Chad grew up as an avid hunter and fisherman. He earned a baseball scholarship at Angelina college after graduating from Hudson High School in 1985. Chad majored in business and electronics and worked as an electrician for International Paper for 15 years.
Chad came to Thunderhill Ranch in 2004 when the facilities were first being constructed. A love of the outdoors and a whitetail deer enthusiast, Chad appreciates the experience and knowledge he had gained under the leadership of two leaders in the deer industry, Dr. James C. Kroll (aka “Dr. Deer”)and Warren Bluntzer, Wildlife consultant and Biologist. Chad is the proud father of Zachary (4) and is married to Angela, the love of his life.
He and Angela have two other children, Matthew (14) and Allison (12).
Brad Barington - Ranch Manager
A native of Hudson, Texas Brad along with his twin brother Chad were raised in the East Texas forests where they loved hunting and fishing. As a graduate of Hudson High School in 1985, Brad attended Angelina College on a baseball scholarship. As a business and electronics major, he went to work for International Paper where he worked for seventeen years.
Brad married his high school sweetheart, Carol in 1986. They have one son – Justin – who is a freshman in college.
Brad and Carol moved to Llano in 2004 as a part of the development and construction of the Thunderhill Ranch facilities. Brad and his brother were an integral part of the development and construction of the state of the art facilities. Responsible for the day to day operations for the ranch, Brad and Chad manage and maintain a healthy herd of more than 200 deer.
Carol Barington - Administrative Assistant
Carol is a native of Lufkin, Texas where she was raised. After graduating from Hudson High School in 1985, Carol married her high school sweetheart Brad. Before moving to Llano, Carol managed a dental office in Lufkin where she also worked as a dental assistant.
Carol’s job in the deer handling facility is very important. She handles all the deer records, files all the reports to the state and government agencies, manages the office and does all the event scheduling and hunting booking.
Carol and Brad’s son Justin is studying at Angelina College in Lufkin.
Jimmy Davenport - Owner
Born and raised in Freeport, Texas, Jimmy has always been an avid water fowl and outdoor enthusiast. He attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He worked for the Dow Chemical Company for 35 years in various managerial positions and in different locations including Freeport, TX, Sarnia, Ontario, Midland, Michigan and Caracas, Venezuela.
Jimmy met and married Mary Helen Thomas in 1965 and they have two sons, Fulton and Carlton Davenport.
Mary Davenport - Owner
Raised in Austin, Texas, Mary spent every summer at the family ranch known as the TP Ranch located in Blanco, Llano and Burnet counties. She graduated from the University of Texas and worked in Houston where she met her husband Jimmy. After raising their two boys, Mary became a real estate broker. She continues to work in the residential sales market in Houston, Texas.
Mary inherited a portion of the family cattle ranch in 1995 where she and Jimmy built a home. They continued the cattle operation as well as leasing for hunting. As the Horseshoe Bay development began encroaching on their privacy, they started looking for a replacement property in the area.
The sale of the Burnet County property and purchase of the Thunderhill property was completed in July, 2007. The Davenports are enthusiastic about continuing their presence in Llano County.
Reece Davenport - Executive Chef & Director of Hospitality
Our Executive Chef and Director of Hospitality has worn many hats aside from her current toque.
Well before Thunderhill came into our lives, she was modeling and singing back up for her share of country superstars. Reece realized while being aptly paid for her singing, she was always getting asked to cook “this or that” for the bands, handle special occasions for her friends, etc…FREE! In early 2007, she decided to follow her passion for food, launching her Personal Chef and Catering Co. –Romanticurean, the Art of Culinary Seduction to rave reviews
“I am thrilled to bring my expertise and originality to Thunderhill Ranch. I can assure our highly revered guests the ultimate degree of attention will be paid to promise the most exceptional Texas Gourmet Hunting adventure possible.”
Reece resides in Houston with her husband Fulton and her children, Clay, Brayden, Maren and Alden. She is also Creative Director for PWL Studio, a photography, marketing, web and graphic design studio.
Warren Bluntzer - Wildlife Consultant/Biologist
A renowned wildlife consultant, Warren has over 30 years experience in the wildlife industry. Warren and his company, Wildlife Consulting Services Inc., have been assisting ranches and breeders throughout Texas and many other parts of the country for over 10 years. When Warren is not chasing deer, he instructs informative seminars, contributes to magazines, test industry products, assists with legislation on behalf of the deer industry and assists with the Texas Deer Association.