SIRE - Houston Therapeutic Riding Center

:: 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.

 

Administrative 
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
Office Manager
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
 
Equine Coordinator 
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.
 
Spring 
Lorraine Ostrowski
Site Coordinator
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
Instructor
Shayna 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
Wrangler
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
Facility Manager
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).
Hockley 
Karen Gardner
Site Director / 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 Therapist
Lee 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
Instructor
Kari 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
Instructor
Rebecca 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
Instructor
Ruth 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.
Fort Bend 
Joelle M. Devlin
Site Director
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
Volunteer Coordinator