About

Mike & Jan, est. 1989

A brief history of our organization

On the last shuttle bus leaving from the last day of a conference in Chicago in 1989, Mike Dreisbach and Jan Russell met. As their relationship grew, so did their ideas.

They created a management development program, Nature of Business, founded on what nature can teach us personally and organizationally. As they searched for the perfect venue to present this philosophy they found great nature locations and great accommodations, but not one place that had both. And so, a conversation began: “Why don’t we just build it ourselves?”

So the hunt began for the perfect property. Mike attended Frostburg State University, and had recreated in the woods of Western Maryland for many years, so they found a parcel of land in 1992 and dreamed up Savage River Lodge. Construction began in 1998 and welcomed their first guests in 1999.

The property at Little Crossings in Grantsville was purchased in 2014. The first entity there, Grant’s Mercantile, opened in one of the original farm outbuildings in 2015. New construction on The Cornucopia Café followed in 2016, with Little Crossings Pantry in 2018.

With the success of their now many businesses, consulting invitations increased, and, seeing an opportunity to bring their expertise to a wider audience, they began operating under the Fronterra Resources moniker.

In between growing the branches of the business, Mike & Jan have received numerous awards and their team has lengthy distinctions, as well.

• 2015 - Mike Dreisbach and Jan Russell, Honorary Golden Ambassadors of the 48th Annual Autumn Glory Festival

• 2013 - Jan Russell, Maryland's Top 100 Women

• 2011 - Jan Russell, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Heise Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

• 2011 - Savage River Lodge, Maryland Office of Tourism Green/Sustainable Tourism Award

• 2009 - Savage River Lodge, Maryland Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award (now Breakthrough Business Award), 11-50 employees. First award for a Garrett County business. 

• 2008 - Mike Dreisbach and Jan Russell, Frostburg State University Trident Initiative Model Entrepreneur of the Year