James C. Soft assumed the Presidency at Yellowstone Foundation in 2002.   Jim has over 35 years of experience at Yellowstone. He holds a Certified Financial Planner® designation and a Masters of Science degree (with an emphasis in estate planning) from the College of Financial Planning. As he has since 1972, Jim continues to oversee the Foundation’s Planned Giving and Endowment.

Known for his comprehensive knowledge in charitable financial and estate planning, Jim often shares, through Foundation sponsored workshops, planned giving principles with professionals on a local and national basis.

Jim is a current board member of the American Council on Gift Annuities; a director on the board of the Montana Nonprofit Association; a member of a national ad hoc group working toward extending the enhancing charitable IRA incentive legislation; and the principal of James C. Soft & Assoc. Consulting.

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Kurt Alme is a Montana native and licensed attorney. Kurt is a past member of the Yellowstone Foundation Board of Directors, and brought his legal and tax expertise to management in 2010.

Kurt is a graduate of Harvard Law School. As a partner in the Crowley Law Firm in Billings, Kurt's legal practice developed with an emphasis on business and tax law and would eventually lead to his appointment by then Governor Martz to a term as Director of Montana's Department of Revenue. That would be followed by a federal appointment to the Office of US Attorney and a long tenure as First Assistant US Attorney for the Montana District in Billings.

Kurt worked with Jim Soft and others largely responsible for the passage of Montana's Qualified Endowment Tax Credit law.

Kurt is a member of the Law and Justice Advisory Committee at Montana State University Billings.

Laurie Perrodin joined the Foundation in 1999 as Executive Assistant to Planned Giving and Endowment. Laurie brings to the Foundation team Financial Paraplanner® credentials from the College of Financial Planning, a dozen years of paralegal work specializing in estate planning and probate, and is a Certified Gift Planning Associate.

Laurie works closely with donors and their advisors in implementing and administering various planned gift vehicles.

Laurie also maintains the Foundation web site with an emphasis on Yellowstone Foundation’s many current and planned gift opportunities.

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When John Eastman joined the Foundation in 1992, he brought with him a Bachelors and Masters degree from the University of Wyoming, 10 years of helping children, and 18 years of managerial experience.

Working as the Foundation’s Development officer, John helps Yellowstone’s friends in both immediate and planned giving. In the immediate or project gift area, John chairs special fund raising events and works to help match individuals, foundations, and corporations with suitable Ranch projects.

In the planned giving area, John works alongside Jim Soft and Laurie Perrodin to help individuals realize the many benefits of charitable estate planning. In addition, John recruits nationally recognized planned giving experts (including Jim Soft) to speak at Foundation sponsored workshops for area professionals - lawyers, trust officers, accountants, financial planners and non-profit executives.

Gary Hickle joined the Foundation team in 1986 as Vice President of Finance. His credentials include an Accounting degree from the University of Maryland in 1974, a Certified Public Accountant designation in 1980, and extensive comptroller experience.

Gary oversees accounting functions which include preparing the annual budget and working closely with the Foundation’s auditors. He aids the planned giving and endowment work by administering payments to donors and preparing trust tax returns. In addition, Gary oversees the asset allocation models for Yellowstone's trust, annuity and endowment funds.

Gary also serves as Office Manager for the Foundation.

Franklin Robbie founded Yellowstone Boys Ranch in 1956 as an alternative to having young boys in the same facility with hardened criminals. In 1980, he enlarged the program to include girls, and YBR became Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. In the mid-1980s, Franklin guided the Ranch’s transition from a custodial home to include a clinical component which helps seriously emotionally disturbed children.

When the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation was established in 1984, Franklin became its first President. Recognizing the importance of long term financial security for the children at the Ranch, he encouraged the Foundation’s emphasis on planned giving and endowment. A decision which has led to today’s team of educated and experienced professionals.

Although retired, Franklin maintains an office at the Foundation and provides consultation as needed.