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Meet the Team – Building Impact

Governed by a volunteer board of community leaders, Hiatus Ranch of Idaho is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Hiatus Ranch relies on donations to carry out our lifesaving work in the community.

Board of Directors

Our board represents leaders from our region and beyond.
We are proud to have these dedicated and experience leaders helping to grow Hiatus Ranch to its full potential.

Joshua Burnside
Founder/CEO

Joshua founded Hiatus Ranch of Idaho in 2020 to fulfill a promise to himself to help other veterans at risk of suicide and needing a hiatus from life to regroup and reenergize.

Read Josh's story...

Deida Runswick
Sky Ranch Idaho

Deida was born and raised in the Wood River Valley, where she still lives with her husband Duane and daughter Skylar.

The Runswicks own and operate Sky Ranch Idaho, a rescue for donkeys and miniature horses in Hailey. Hiatus Ranch donkeys Ruth, Naomi, Emma, and Moses were adopted from Sky Ranch. The Runswicks also have six horses, two miniature horses, three donkeys, a mule, three dogs, parrots, barn cat, two sheep, and poultry. Animals are a huge part of their lives.

Deida enjoys trail riding as a family, camping, hiking, and traveling. This year, she and her family are learning to pack and get more into the wilderness. Deida loves art and in her free time makes jewelry and works with wool.

This is Deida’s second board position, previously she has sat as a board member for Mountain Humane during their capital campaign of the new shelter.

Leadership Council

Our Council members are active ambassadors for Hiatus Ranch and help us advance our mission in various ways.

Monty Heath
Veteran Programs Advisor

Monty completed his first life's goal by becoming a US Navy SEAL. He served alongside America's finest in both Operations Enduring Freedom and Join Forge. Monty credits SEAL Teams Two and Six as the providers for most of his tools in his metaphorical toolbox. He has twice been awarded the Bronze Star with combat Valor designation.

After serving in the Navy for over 10 years, Monty decided to transition from active duty and instead join the ranks of veterans so that he might start a family and change his focus to the civilian sector. He claims this was one of the most difficult choices he's ever made. 

Through the years, he has managed a variety of successful programs and contracts as a civilian contractor, including being supervisor of the Navy SEAL's Mentorship program and BUD/S Preparatory program.