Sublette County native Chopper Grassell was raised on his family’s ranch in the Upper Green River Valley, where he grew up training, shoeing, and working horses on local ranches and at remote cow camps throughout western Wyoming. From an early age, he developed a deep connection to the land, livestock, and the working ranch traditions that continue to shape his life and career today.
For decades, Chopper guided pack trips throughout western Wyoming, primarily in the Wind River Range, building a practical understanding of the region’s ranching operations, wildlife habitat, public lands, and backcountry stewardship.
After earning a degree in Agricultural Business from the University of Wyoming, Chopper transitioned into corporate finance and investment banking, spending nearly two decades working in mergers and acquisitions, structured finance, and securitization with institutions including Bank of America (formerly NCNB), SunTrust Banks, and a private structured finance firm. His career took him from Charlotte to New York City and Atlanta before ultimately returning home to Wyoming.
Today, Chopper combines his financial background with his lifelong ranching heritage through his work in ranch real estate, land consulting, and conservation partnerships. He is currently a partner with LiveJacksonHole, specializing in legacy, recreational, and working ranch properties throughout the Rocky Mountain West. He also serves as a Senior Adviser to i2 Capital and the Upper Green River Conservancy, where he focuses on developing landowner partnerships that support private-sector conservation of wildlife and fishery habitat.
A fourth-generation Wyoming ranching family member whose roots in the Upper Green River Valley date back to the 1890s, Chopper brings a uniquely informed perspective to large ranch transactions, balancing operational realities, conservation priorities, and investment strategy. He currently serves on several advisory boards and remains deeply involved in ranching, horsemanship, and land stewardship.
Outside of business, Chopper spends much of his time training and working ranch horses through 307 Performance Horses. He and his wife, Lora, enjoy life in Wyoming surrounded by their large family, including eight children and four grandchildren.
