Teton Ridge Executive Chairman Shawn Colo [Photos: Shawn Colo\/Teton Ridge]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Veteran business executive and entrepreneur Shawn Colo has been appointed as executive chairman of Fort Worth-based Teton Ridge, a leading Western sports and entertainment company.<\/strong><\/p>\n Teton Ridge said that Deirdre Lester will be stepping down as CEO to pursue other opportunities. Teton Ridge is owned by TWG Global, a diversified holding company led by Thomas Tull and Mark Walter.<\/p>\n In 2024, Teton Ridge acquired The Cowboy Channel and The Cowgirl Channel<\/a> to solidify its hold on Western storytelling.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are a Western Sports media company with big ambitions,\u201d Tull, co-chairman of TWG Global and director of Teton Ridge, said in a statement. \u201cShawn\u2019s private equity prowess, focus on innovation and proven ability to build best-in-class businesses make him the ideal leader to unlock Teton Ridge\u2019s growth potential and elevate the brand both here in the US and globally.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The company said that Colo brings a two-decade track record of success as an operator, investor, and entrepreneur building and growing businesses, which it said will be critical as the company continues to scale.<\/p>\n Colo co-founded Demand Media, an early pioneer in social content and digital media, where he served initially as head of M&A and ultimately as CEO, leading the business from startup to its successful IPO. Most recently, Colo co-founded 3L, a growth equity investment firm focused on consumer and technology companies, where he continues to actively manage the firm\u2019s portfolio through various board responsibilities.<\/p>\n Colo will form an Office of the CEO, the company said, with key longstanding members of the Teton Ridge leadership team, who bring a breadth of expertise spanning technology, business, sports, entertainment, and Western culture.<\/p>\n Teton Ridge said that together, they will lead the firm\u2019s mission of making Western sports and entertainment more accessible and embed technology across the platform, while honoring the deep heritage of the American West.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the ever-rising popularity of Western media, it is an incredible time to join the brand that is leading the movement,\u201d Colo said. \u201cTeton Ridge has amassed an impressive portfolio of leading sports and media assets, and I look forward to working with the senior leadership team to build a lasting sports and live events franchise.\u201d<\/p>\n Teton Ridge was founded in 2019, with additional investors including Jim Breyer and the Lee Bass Family Office.<\/p>\n Since its inception Teton Ridge said it has grown via strategic acquisitions and initiatives, including The American Rodeo Contender Series & Championship Weekend \u2013 live on FOX Sports, The American Performance Horseman, and the docuseries Window to the West.<\/p>\n The company\u2019s portfolio also includes Better Barrel Races, C&I Magazine, The MauneyCast, and the Let\u2019s Freakin\u2019 Rodeo podcast.<\/p>\n A year ago, Teton Ridge acquired The Cowboy Channel and Cowgirl Channel<\/a>, cementing its leadership in Western sports media. Teton Ridge is also the parent company of Teton Ridge Entertainment, a film and television studio led by President Jillian Share that explores Americana stories and highlights the themes, ethos, and setting of the American West.<\/p>\n Track Dallas-Fort Worth\u2019s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A leader at the intersection of Western sports and entertainment, Teton Ridge has acquired the properties from Omaha-based Rural Media Group. “This is a defining moment that solidifies Teton Ridge as an authority in Western sports and storytelling,” CEO Deirdre Lester said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n House of Tangram\u2019s 30-acre slice of the North Texas city’s 100-acre Staybolt Street District includes AI-driven hotels, programmable convention space, two next-gen residential communities, and immersive retail. Its tech layer? Powered by Dallas startup NuStudio.AI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n The merger unites two highly complementary brands, augmenting PlayMetrics\u2019 modern technology platform with the scale, reach, and capabilities of Plano-based Stack Sports “to better serve the evolving needs of sports organizations worldwide,” the companies said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\nForming an Office of the CEO<\/h3>\n
Wrangling investors and western media<\/h3>\n
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