A Letter from Kalli, Co-Owner | Jan 2026
One year as the owners of Wildcatter Ranch & Resort!
Thank you to everyone who came with their families, companies, and friends to share in Texas culture and experience Wildcatter during our first year as new owners!
Day one, the entire hotel's hot water system failed — and couldn't be fixed. It needed total replacement. There was a 200-person wedding that weekend (yes, we took over on a Friday! Not a great plan!). Shortly after navigating those treacherous first 48 hours, the elevator completely died. Then the retaining wall crumbled. Then, then, then, then... the list goes on and on! We have been tried by FIRE this year.
Our faith has been tested, but God has come through every time we thought we hit bottom and had no way forward. When you've done all you can, spent all you have, and pulled in every favor in the county, and the only thing that's going to work is a miracle? Well, that's when the Lord reminds you — this is all for His glory, and only possible when you surrender and know that "but God" is the only way forward.
George and I, Kalli, are the boots-on-the-ground husband-and-wife team you'll see buzzing around the property most days and nights. George is the GM handling "everything on the ground," and I am the media, software, and sales lady covering "everything in the air (interwebs)!" In our previous lives (before Wildcatter), God led us down paths of careers, challenges, disappointments, and achievements that all came together into the mosaic of experience that was the perfect fit for Wildcatter. His plan is so evident now.
My mom and dad are in this with us! It's a 100% family run business. Kevin is our creative and builder --paving the road, taking a midnight call for a repair, and helping envision the next phase of Wildcatter. Linda is the cornerstone, making sure our two little boys are taken care of--without her we wouldn't be able to do this!
With the first 12 months under our boots, we're more sure than ever that God led us back to Graham, my hometown, and to Wildcatter with a purpose. It is ONLY through His provision that we've been able to make the incredible progress we have in the first 12 months.
Namely, our teams are the most significant blessings we've received. There were already wonderful Wildcatter staff in several places when we stepped in. They have stepped up and joined in with gusto, embracing our new goals and energy. We're grateful! But equally, we're beyond thankful for the people He's sent to us to join our leadership teams. Roles have opened, and God has literally sent the perfect people, with character and experience, to walk into the hotel and say, "I felt drawn to come in and ask about openings." Wildcatter is a growing place of careers, pride, and blessings for so many in our little town, and for that, we're especially grateful.
Do we have an endless list of improvements to tackle? Yes, we do! Are we prepared to do it? Yes, we are, but not without our local communities in Graham and PK Lake, our amazing guests, and incredible team members. Thank you to each and every one of you!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We'll see you in 2026 with new things coming to Wildcatter on the horizon!
Family photos by @kyannkendallphotography
WILDCATTER RANCH AND RESORT - NEW OWNERS ANNOUNCEMENT
DECEMBER 2024
Kalli and George Doubleday here with exciting news to share for all those who love Wildcatter as much as we do.
We are officially the new owners and operators of the Wildcatter Ranch & Resort in Graham, TX! The Wildcatter Ranch overlooks the Brazos de Dios near Possum Kingdom Lake and embraces Texas’ gritty history with a hearty shot of luxury and cowboy fun for guests to enjoy.
George and Dr. Kalli Doubleday
It has been over a year and a half since George left his engineering job in Austin and even longer since Kalli turned away from her work as a conservation scholar. We both took a leap of faith in 2023 to move our family to Kalli’s small hometown of Graham in pursuit of a greater purpose and a better balance for our family. We surrendered to God’s calling on our hearts and began preparing for new business ventures in hospitality and events, but we had NO idea a path to owning the Wildcatter was about to unfold.
The Wildcatter combines everything we dreamed of doing as a family. We are pouring ourselves into creating a place where people can find their freedom on the Texas range and create lifelong memories. The Wildcatter’s mission aligns perfectly with the fibers woven between our hearts, and we pray it will be a place of blessings for our family and our community.
We invite you to be part of our story too! Whether you're looking for a future retreat location, an executive meeting destination, or a personal getaway, please consider Wildcatter Ranch & Resort.
A bit about us!
Kalli
Events and Hospitality expert, including 10+ years working with Wildcatter directly through her family's events business
PhD in Geography with a focus on wildlife
3rd Generation Young County Entrepreneur, born and raised in Graham, TX
George
12 years as an Environmental Civil Engineer
Long-time manager of a 1000+ acre ranch in South Texas
Co-Owner of Sundowner Hill Akaushi Cattle Operation
5th Generation Texan
Kalli & George’s families celebrated their marriage in May 2012 with a weekend of activities and a rehearsal dinner at Wildcatter Ranch. Our lives together kicked off at Wildcatter, and we can’t wait to pour into this property with our passion and hard work.
PK MAGAZINE - NEW OWNER INTERVIEW 2025
“What does a researcher with a doctorate in human-wildlife interactions and her engineer husband do when deciding their next chapter in life? For Kalli Doubleday and her spouse, George, they move to Graham, Texas, and purchased a large western hospitality resort to accompany their already successful wedding venue business.
Doubleday was a professor at the University of Texas in Austin, and her research led her to India to study the cohesive existence of tigers and humans in rural areas in an effort to preserve the natural habitat for the wild animals, and to prevent their extinction from living alongside humans.
The couple has two boys, 6-year-old Hays and 3-year-old Cline, and they wanted to raise their children in her hometown of Graham. They have owned and operated the wedding venue Sparrow Creek Ranch with Doubleday’s parents, Kevin and Linda Fullerton, since 2012. The ranch, located between Possum Kingdom Lake and Graham, has been in the family for many years.
Before moving to Graham, Doubleday was able to run the events venue remotely from Austin with her parents’ help. Her father is a master builder, and he and his right-hand man Allen Slater built the Sparrow Creek facility by hand. The entire facility has incorporated unique items into the decor, such as old steel beams from an abandoned bridge, and it’s marketed to couples across the country who want a unique wedding location.
Sparrow Creek had always used the catering and lodging facilities at Wildcatter Ranch & Resort, so it seemed like a natural fit when the previous owner decided to sell the 1,500-acre property. After 18 months of negotiating, the Doubledays and Fullertons closed the deal in November 2024.”