:: staff ::
Both professional and support disciplines make up the staff of SIRE.
Consisting of full-time and part-time staff and contractors, these
are the
people who are the core of SIRE and who, with our clients, valued
volunteers and donors, comprise the SIRE Family.
Professional staff members are those who are directly responsible
to provide the service to our client riders. These include
licensed Physical and Occupational Therapists and specially trained
NARHA Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors. All Therapists
and Riding Instructors working with SIRE, whether employed or contracted,
are certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association
(NARHA) and their standards for training, knowledge, skills, and
abilities.
Those who work in support disciplines make it possible for the professional
staff to deliver services to client riders. These include volunteer
management, horse care, facility management, finance, fund raising
and administrative staff.
Jimm Williams Executive Director Jimm joined SIRE in 2004 with a background
in operations, administration, finance, and sales both domestically
and abroad. Having served as Managing Director of Global Services,
a digital office products company and CFO of Insync Internet Services,
prior accomplishments include serving as District CFO of IKON
Office Solutions. Jimm has also served
as Managing Director of MPSI, a publicly traded software company,
President and CEO of First City Leasing Corporation, VP at Underwood,
Neuhaus and Company, Inc., and Area VP of Manufacturer Hanover Leasing
Corporation in Europe. His connection to horses comes through his
experience as an announcer for the Horse Show and Arabian committee’s
of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Pat Roddy Director of Finance A volunteer at SIRE since 1994, formerly a manager in systems engineering
at Compaq Computers, BS in Math from University of Houston with a
minor in Accounting, treasurer of Gulf Coast Arabian Horse Club,
owns and shows 2 Arabian horses.
Harla Kaplan Director
of Development Harla joined SIRE in 1995, BS from Memphis State
University and MS from Purdue University, served as the founding
executive director of Houston FotoFest, the International Month of
Photography for nearly 10 years. Prior to that she was editor and
publisher of Houston Town & Country Magazine, district director
Muscular Dystrophy Association, and executive director of United
Cerebral Palsy of the Texas Gulf Coast. For the past 15 years, she
has owned Harla Kaplan and Associates, a fundraising and special
events company.
Peggy Wagner Director
of Volunteer Services
Deborah Gottselig SIRE Office Deborah came to SIRE in January 2001 with a background
in management and writing. Editor of the monthly SIRE Leadline newsletter,
she embraces any opportunity to allow the creativity to flow. A past
horse owner, Deborah loves the equine environment and is endlessly
enthused by the inspirational strides the SIRE horse heroes and staff
reach each and every day for our very special group of riders. Her
motto is that there is no task too menial when it helps a rider reach
up and grab a star.
JoAnn Trepl Receptionist
Molly Sweeney Equine
Coordinator Molly is a life-long horse person with a background
in hunters and jumpers. She came to volunteer at SIRE in 1990 and
has been there ever since. Presently, she serves as the Equine Coordinator
responsible for the evaluation, selection and training of the SIRE
horses. She is interested in healing energy work for horses and assists
in the SIRE Driving Program. Molly is a member of the SIRE Board
of Directors, currently serving as President of SIRE. At home, she
has six horses: two retired jumpers, three retired SIRE horses, and
one Hafflinger/Cob driving horse in training for the SIRE therapy
program.
Lorraine Ostrowski Lorraine began volunteering at SIRE
in 1997 then became an instructor in 1998, NARHA Registered Therapeutic
Riding Instructor since 1995, CHA certified Level 2 both English
and Western since 1989, Special Olympic Equestrian Coach since 1991,
became SOTX Level 2 coach in 2002 and soon will be Level 3, Adult
SPUR staff in Girl Scouts of San Jacinto’s equestrian program
since 1986, Riding Director in the SPUR program since 1989 to present,
Medical Technologist and ASCP Board Registered for 39 years.
Shayna Bolton InstructorShayna started volunteering at the Spring site
in 2001. She obtained her NARHA registered instructor certification
in 2002. Shayna has been involved with horses for over 10 years;
showing, eventing and instructing both English and western lessons.
She will be graduating in the fall of 2005, with Bachelors of Science
degree from University of Houston-Downtown. Shayna is currently employed
as a staffing coordinator.
Sally Fanta Volunteer
Coordinator
Truman Alexander A native of Gladwater, TX, Truman has resided
in Cleveland (that’s in Texas) for 2 ½ years. In 1996,
he joined the Marines and served his country in Viet Nam. He returned
to attend College in San Jacinto, completed a major in Computer Science
and has worked in IT with various energy companies for the past 30
years. Truman was first put on a horse shortly before his third birthday.
While in college he trained horses and did stock work. He has been
trimming horses’ hooves for over thirty years. In 2004 , he
attended a “Natural Barefoot Clinic” espousing a technique
similar to the Strausser method. and started doing a barefoot trim.
He began volunteering with SIRE in January 2004, became involved
in all aspects of the program and is now Wrangler at the Spring site.
Daniel Narvaez Daniel arrived in Texas in 1981. He worked with over 200 horses
at Jack Benson Unlimited Ranch, a Quarter Horse breeding concern
in Brenham. In 1985, he began work for Molly Sweeney here in Hockley,
caring for her horses and grounds. When the Spring site came in need
of a Facility Manager, Molly very generously suggested to Daniel
that this would be a good opportunity for him and his family. Daniel
joined the SIRE staff in March of 2002. He now resides at the Spring
site with his wife, Maria Guadalupe, his son Luis Daniel (8 yrs.
old) and daughter Mayra Sarahi (5 yrs. old).
Karen Gardner Director
of Therapy Karen volunteered at SIRE from 1990-1993, returned in 1998 with
a masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s
University, NARHA Master level Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Hippotherapy
Clinical Specialist, NARHA Driving Instructor, currently VP of the
American Hippotherapy Association and a professor at Tomball College.
Enjoys carriage driving with her husband, John, and loves Mexican
food.
Karen Abbott Head
Riding Instructor Karen began volunteering at SIRE in 1988 and became Head Instructor
in 1994, BS in Secondary Physical Education with minor in Health
Education from Texas A&M University, holds a Texas secondary
teaching certificate, licensed Athletic Trainer with the Texas Dept.
of Health, NARHA Advanced level Therapeutic Riding Instructor in
both Physical and Cognitive Disabilities, member of EFMHA (Equine
Facilitated Mental Health Association), Co-Director/Director of Equestrian
Sports Special Olympics of Texas, coached the Special Olympics World
Games in North Carolina in 1999. Enjoys competing in Combined Training/Eventing
and being the “navigator” in Combined Driving Events.
Lee Rounavaara Physical TherapistLee began at SIRE in 2001, BA at Ohio Wesleyan
University, MS in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University,
NARHA Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor.
Kari Astle InstructorKari came to SIRE in 2000, NARHA Registered Therapeutic Riding
Instructor, CHA level 3 in English and level 2 in Western riding
instruction, Level 1 BHS (British Horse Society), former Therapeutic
Riding Instructor at MARE in California, currently owns her own photography
business, Creative Portraits, serves as a Children’s Pastor
at her church and is an author for character building curriculum.
Rebecca Gribben InstructorRebecca began volunteering as a SIRE instructor in 1993 after previously
being an instructor at Hope Arena in Galveston, TX. She became a
NARHA certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor in 1994. Rebecca has
a BS in education from The University of Texas, Austin, and is a
National Registry EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), a National
Safety Council Instructor/Trainer and serves as Training Director
for Advent Resource Management where she teaches Medical Emergency
Responder Teams in corporations. Rebecca has been a Board member
of LSTEN, the Region 8 NARHA networking organization, since 1995.
She has a passion for teaching, Arabian horses, rescuing cats, cowboys,
and serving God through all of the above.
Ruth Cooper Sawin InstructorRuth started as a volunteer at SIRE in 1995,
certified as a NARHA instructor in 1996, NARHA Advanced level Therapeutic
Riding Instructor, Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Studies/Business
Administration from Averett College, VA, British Horse Society Assistant
Instructor (BHSAI), currently enrolled in the Instructor Certification
Program (ICP) for the United States Eventing Association, 25 years
teaching Hunt Seat, Balance Seat, Dressage, and Combined Training,
13 years managing a large lesson facility and summer camp in New
Jersey, 10 years teaching riders at Pine Hill in Bellville, coaching
at events and helping to organize shows, events and clinics at Pine
Hill, competes in Combined Training and Dressage.
Kassie Collins Volunteer
Coordinator Kassie began volunteering at SIRE in 1999 and
became Co-Volunteer Coordinator in 2004, BA in English/Education
from Texas A&M University, taught for 31 years for Spring Branch
ISD, owns and breeds Paint horses.
Penny Kvello Volunteer
Coordinator Penny began as a volunteer at SIRE in 2001 and
became Co-Volunteer Coordinator in 2004 with Kassie, degree in Education
from University of Houston with concentration in English, formerly
employed by SBC for 31 years in the Planning and Engine ering department,
member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
Jim Brewer Facility
Manager Jim joined the SIRE staff in 2006. He is a retired
Lt. Col. in the US Army and did graduate and post-graduate work at
Texas A & M University. Prior to joining SIRE, Jim was the Facility
Manager at Waller Equine Hospital. Horses have always been a part
of his family's life. His 2 daughters, Mandy and Tori, started riding
at young ages. His son, Conly, is more interested in aviation, but
since Jim was a pilot, he wasn't totally left out. Jim, his wife
Peggy, and daughter Tori live at the Hockley site and enjoy showing
their AQHA gelding.
Joelle M. Devlin Joelle joined SIRE at the beginning of 2004
and holds a Master's Level Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification
by NARHA. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Philosophy
and has been involved with therapeutic riding for over ten years. Joelle
has also met NARHA qualifications to assist other therapeutic riding
centers as an accreditation mentor and visitor (inspector). She
also is qualified by NARHA to teach, evaluate, and recommend certification
for therapeutic riding instructors.
Vivien Savage Instructor
Laura Eller Instructor
Maryann
Gerity
