Off The Gravel Road
Off the Gravel Road
Robb Ellis is a husband, father, grandfather, educator, tradesman, and public servant with a deep-rooted commitment to small-town life and hands-on learning. Born in Los Angeles, California, Robb moved to Vermont in the 1980s, where he began his first career in law enforcement. After retiring from the field, he transitioned into the plumbing and heating industry—eventually becoming a technical trainer at FIA, where he now helps shape the next generation of skilled trades professionals across New England.
Robb’s journey has taken him through Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and now New Hampshire—where he and his wife Kristen have lived for many years. Married for over 31 years, they’ve raised three sons and are now proud grandparents to two granddaughters.
In addition to his work at FIA, Robb serves on the Barnstead Select Board and as an ex officio member of the zoning board, where he brings a grounded, practical voice to local governance. He’s also the force behind Storer Ranch and Cow Camp, rural education initiatives rooted in soil health, regenerative agriculture, and trades-based learning. Through programs like the Storer Ranchers 4-H Club and partnerships with local schools, Robb is helping rural youth gain real-world skills and a sense of stewardship for the land.
Having lived in small towns across New England, Robb has come to appreciate their quiet differences and shared spirit. Off the Gravel Road, his podcast, explores what makes these communities tick—sharing conversations from porches, pastures, and town halls that reflect the values, humor, and grit of life beyond the pavement.
Off The Gravel Road
Rumbles, Education, and Community Change with Kristi Hikel
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb sits down with Kristi Hikel—former Barnstead Elementary assistant principal and now principal of Moultonborough Central School. Together, they explore Kristi’s journey from PE teacher to school leader, the lessons she’s carried from Barnstead to Moultonborough, and how transparency, vulnerability, and a “farm strong” mindset shape her approach to education.
The conversation touches on:
- The challenges of school funding and teacher retention in small New Hampshire towns
- Finding balance between tradition and change in both education and Scouting
- Lessons from horses, barns, and trails that translate into the classroom
- Kristi’s reflections on raising kids in scouting and helping them navigate their own paths
At its core, this episode is about the “rumbles” that come with growth, leadership, and community—whether in a classroom, a troop meeting, or around the campfire.
Today’s episode of Off the Gravel Road is brought to you by the Prospect Mountain Trades Association. Where, we believe in building strong hands, strong minds, and strong communities. That means bringing the trades directly to our kids—whether it’s welding, plumbing, forestry, or mechanics—and then standing behind them with annual support as they graduate and step into the workforce. Because when our young people succeed, our whole community succeeds. Learn more about how the Prospect Mountain Trades Association is investing in the next generation of skilled workers—and in the future of our towns
