meet the team!

Jacob Buckley

Founder of Fire Pit Ranch

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Jacob was born in Charleston, SC and moved to the Upstate of SC with his family at the age of 5. Jacob grew up in Spartanburg where attended Dorman High School and furthered his education by attending and playing football at North Greenville University where he graduated with a degree in Outdoor Leadership. Jacob married his beautiful wife Sloane shortly after graduating from North Greenville University in 2015 and together, founded Fire Pit Ranch in the spring of 2016.

Shortly after the founding of FPR, Jacob began to pursue topics in leadership, business, and personal development. He was trained by John Maxwell and his executive team in the fall of 2019 where he became a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team. The following year, he would go on to be mentored and coached by the #1 coach in the world, Paul Martinelli who is still Jacob’s coach today. He has joined multiple high level mastermind groups in order to surround himself with some of the sharpest minds in leadership, business, and personal development so that he can then take that knowledge and use it to help others.

His life’s mission is to build leaders who have a foundation built on biblical principles. Just as Jesus commanded His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, Jacob believes his calling is to bring hope, guidance, and love to a generation longing for purpose.

Together, Jacob and Sloane have three precious boys named Kasin, Roman, and Titan. They love spending time together as a family, enjoying activities such as hunting, fishing, riding atvs, football games, or just simply catching frogs together until midnight!

Seth Buckley

Director of Leadership Development

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Seth was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, and raised in the Upstate of SC. Married to Robin Lesley of Easley, they have four boys, Jacob(wife Sloane), Caleb(wife Kaylee), Eli, and Micah(wife Alyssa) as well as three grandsons, Kasin, Roman, and Titan.

Seth is a graduate of Easley High School, Furman University, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is certified as a coach, mentor, and instructor with the John Maxwell Team and is a published author and speaker.

Seth served in full-time local church ministry with students and families for over 35 years before joining FPR. He also serves as Assistant Director of Palmetto Boys State.

Caleb Phillips

Director of Field Operations

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Caleb was born and raised in Mississippi before moving to the coast of South Carolina as a teenager. Caleb met his wife, Jade, as they attended North Greenville University. They now live in Travelers Rest with their four children Belle, Easton, Lincoln, and Ford and too many dogs to count.

Caleb played baseball and graduated from North Greenville University with B.A. in Media Ministry and a M.A in Christian Ministry. He is certified as a coach, mentor, and instructor with the John Maxwell Team and owner of Ruby Ridge Retrievers.

Before coming to serve with FPR, Caleb spent seven years in collegiate strength and conditioning, most recently as Associate Athletic Director for Strength & Conditioning at Anderson University.

Board Of Directors