133 | Keeping Rodeo Relevant with Tiah DeGrofft

In Today’s Episode:

This week on Leaders of the West, Jessie is joined by Tiah DeGrofft — the first woman to ever serve as president of the legendary Pendleton Round-Up. Tiah’s story is woven into the fabric of this iconic rodeo: she grew up in the grandstands, served as a princess and queen, spent years on the board, and now leads one of the most historic western events in the world.

In the episode, Tiah shares:

• The depth of community behind the Pendleton Round-Up
• What it really takes to run a legacy event
• The leadership lessons Tiah has learned along the way
• What her background in sports marketing and the PGA Tour taught her about rodeo as a business
• Why hospitality is the best ROI
• How Round-Up’s 1,200+ volunteers make it all possible

Resources & Links:

• Pendleton Round-Up
• How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Let’er Buck
• Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce Podcast
• Calm Down with Erin & Charissa Podcast
• The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Show Podcast
• The Chris Harder Show Podcast
• The Ed Mylett Show Podcast
• Toter Tales with Coleman Proctor Podcast
• The Jeff Fenster Show Podcast
• The Luke Branquinho Show Podcast
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description 
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
• Email us at hello@ofthewest.co
• Subscribe to Of The West’s ⁠Newsletters
• List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

Connect with Tiah:

• Follow on Instagram @tdegrofft
• Follow on Facebook @tiah.degrofft

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

More About Tiah

Tiah is a second generation Director and a 39 year volunteer with the Pendleton Round-Up! She started volunteering at the age of 6 years old, coming to Round-Up work parties with her father Duane. Her first job was picking rocks out of the arena. Since then, she has done everything from acting as a pennant bearer in parades to driving VIP Shuttle and saddling trophy horses for champions. In 1999, Tiah served as a Princess on the Pendleton Round-Up Court and in 2001, was named Queen. Tiah is a past board member and President of the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame. For 39 years, Tiah has also been a cast member in Happy Canyon.  Her parts have been varied from side saddler and emigrant to the madam at Goldie’s Place.

During her 8 years on the Board of Directors, Tiah served as Sponsor Director, something that ties in nicely with her background in, and love for, professional Sports Marketing. During her time as Sponsor Director, Tiah has nearly tripled sponsorship contributions and has over seen many renovations to the Sponsor program.

As a member of the Board of Directors, Tiah has been on numerous committees, including Xtreme Bulls, Concert, Trademark and Public Relations. She has chaired the BMEC committee, Policy and Procedure committee, the Events committee and served as Secretary of the Board for 6 years. Tiah is the first woman to complete two full terms on the Board of Directors for the Pendleton Round-Up and the first woman to serve as President.

More About Jessie

Jessie was born and raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, which at an early age, instilled in her the importance of a strong work ethic, and a deep appreciation for the American West.

In addition to her lifelong involvement raising cattle, Jessie has had over a decade’s worth of experience in print and digital media, both writing for and producing various agriculture and western fashion publications, as well as freelancing in ag and western communications.

As someone who has been on all sides of the spectrum—as a job seeker, a business owner, someone looking for various service providers, and as a freelancer—Jessie deeply understands the obstacles one must navigate when job hunting or looking to hire for employment or project purposes in the west.

Jessie’s proudest accomplishment(s) in life is that of her family—her husband Justin, her son, Jhett, and baby girl, Jaxyn.

More About Leaders Of The West

Leaders Of The West is a podcast for innovators and change-makers in the ag and western industries. Hosted by Jessie Jarvis, the Founder of Of The West, our mission with Leaders Of The West is to foster a community of pioneers, innovators, and leaders who want to be at the forefront of what’s next. 

Whether it’s a guest episode where we’re digging into the blueprints behind our favorite industry businesses, discussing the innovation and strategies that have allowed family farming and ranching operations to continue on for another generation, to episodes with honest conversations from entrepreneurs who have risked it all on their dreams, or leaders detailing how to create a company culture so strong that you couldn’t pay your employees to leave. 

These conversations are meant to encourage the leaders of today and inspire the next generation of trailblazers. 

In addition to bringing in guests, you’ll also find some solo episodes, where Jessie shares the lessons she’s learned throughout her journey as a rancher, entrepreneur, wife, and mother. 

Whether you’re a farmer, a rancher, an equine lover, someone headed up the leadership ladder, an ag business owner, a western sports athlete, an entrepreneur, or someone who just loves the western way of life—this is the place for you.

You’ll find new episodes every week. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss a show!