Matt is the President/CEO of Mickey Truck Bodies in Thomasville, NC. This family-owned business has been in operation since 1904 and Matt represents the 4th generation of family leadership. Their company website notes that the company designed and built “the first all-aluminum trailer, which set a new industry standard for lightweight, maximum payload capacity, durability, and marked a major turning point in the history of the beverage distribution industry.” “I grew up around horses, my mom, Carolyn Mickey Sink, loved horses and rode all her life. I graduated from Virginia Tech and I’ve been working with Mickey Truck Bodies for 16 years … I’m married with two kids that are 10 and 12 years old. My mom joined HORSEPOWER after suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury. HORSEPOWER brought her so much joy and had positive benefits on her health. Most importantly, HORSEPOWER put my mom back on a horse after we thought she would never ride again. I’ve seen the positive impact first hand, which is why I’ve supported and continue to support HORSEPOWER.”
Melanie graduated from NC State University in 1983, double majoring in Animal Science & Agricultural Economics. She worked in various sales positions before landing in the insurance industry. Became Co-Owner of Carolina Associated Insurers who merged with Senn Dunn in 1997. She attained CPCU, CIC, CRM, & CPSR insurance designations, and became partner at Senn Dunn in 2003. Left Senn Dunn in 2009, worked small jobs and took some time off, then hired by HPB Insurance Group in 2013, eventually moving into the role of President. She retired in October 2020, since retiring, she has volunteered with HORSEPOWER and the Triad Honor Flight, taken lessons in Shag dancing, Pickleball, horseback riding, joined a bible study, accepted a seat on the HPU Board of Visitors and traveled frequently!
Susan is a Certified Financial Planner Professional, Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Mission Wealth Management. She has enjoyed serving in numerous volunteer positions over the years as mentor, instructor, board member and treasurer for Reconsidered Goods, Communities in Schools, St. Pius Community Life Commission, Triad Health Project and Junior Achievement. Raised in an ever-changing environment typical of a career Army household, her life-long love of animals has always been a constant for Susan. She began volunteering at HORSEPOWER as Barn Helper and Class Sidewalker in 2022, and currently serves as Board Treasurer. She resides in Greensboro with her husband/partner of 31 years and their 7th retired racing greyhound. They have a grown son who lives in Boston.
Emily first joined HORSEPOWER in 1994 as a volunteer. She graduated from East Carolina University after studying recreational therapy and sign language. In 2003 she was the Volunteer Coordinator and in 2009 became a PATH Intl. registered instructor and the Director of Student Services for HORSEPOWER. She lives in Greensboro with her husband and two children.
Vernon has been a professional educator for 44 years. He began as a teacher, coach, principal, and district office leader in the Guilford County Schools from 1979-2004. Since that time, he served as a faculty member at High Point University for 6 years in addition to 13 years on the faculty at East Carolina University. His teaching and research focused primarily on leadership coaching and development. Vernon currently lives in Greensboro with his wife, Lou, and enjoys playing with his grandchildren. Vernon has been interested in HORSEPOWER through the years for a variety of reasons. First, he knew several people associated with the organization and saw the love and commitment they had for HORSEPOWER’s mission. Second, the family farm where he was raised is directly adjacent to HORSEPOWER’s current property and it was exciting to see the growth and development of the new facility in a place he knew so well. Finally, and most importantly, he came and saw the significant difference HORSEPOWER made in the lives of people. The HORSEPOWER staff, volunteers, supporters and horses combine to offer an experience for riders that is truly life-changing!
Melissa first joined HORSEPOWER in 2002 as a volunteer. She was introduced to HORSEPOWER by a fellow carriage driving competitor. Melissa grew up assisting her father as he bred, raised, and trained Arabian horses as a hobby for over 45 years. She remembers getting out of school to help her father on Arabian Days at the NC State Fair Horse Show showing weanlings and yearlings. For the last 20 years, Melissa and her father have competed in carriage driving on the local, regional, and national level. She continues to be inspired by the positive impacts a horse can provide through HORSEPOWER.
More information coming soon!
At the age of 50, I returned to college to pursue a degree in photojournalism and a minor in writing. Within the first year, I was accepted into the honors program. The following year, I was awarded the Departmental Award in Mass Communication and Journalism at Kent State University. I have been a professional writer and photographer for 10 years with experience in magazine, newspaper and business writing. I have also written two scholastics, published essays for Kent State University. I have experience in copyediting, content editing and proofreading. I have experience in high profile interviews with celebrities, professional athletes, business owners, and World Champion horsemen and women. Horses have been a part of my life since childhood. My volunteer work at HORSEPOWER Therapeutic Learning Center has become my greatest passion and purpose.
Having grown up in the northeast, I worked my way south completing my undergraduate work at the University of Richmond and then moved to North Carolina where I received my MBA in Finance from Wake Forest University. I have worked for several companies in the Greensboro area (Cone Mills, Burlington Industries, International Textile Group, Tekelec, Global Brands Group and now most recently Big Rock Sports) in the finance group as Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer. My wife (Maureen) and two sons (Bryant and Davis) live just north of Greensboro. Our connection to HORSEPOWER is our youngest son, Davis, who has been a rider at HORSEPOWER for the past 10+ years.
I graduated from East Carolina and then spent 45 years in the Children’s toy business. I had a retail store in Winston-Salem for around 10 years then became a toy distributor and sales rep to the specialty toy industry in N.C., S.C. and southern Va. Calling on toy stores, museums, zoos and educational toy supply distributors. Very active in the High Point Rotary Club along with Open Door Ministry of High Point.
Jim received a BA in Business with a minor in Economics from King University in 1990. He also earned a BS in Accounting from Emory and Henry College. He has additionally earned Certification in Business Analytics from Harvard University and an MBA in International Business from William and Mary. “We moved to Winston Salem 7 years ago in order for Jace, my son, to attend school at Ronald Reagan High School. Jace started riding 4 years ago and we discovered HORSEPOWER in the spring of 2023. Jace loves riding and feels completely at ease around horses. I usually clean stalls during Jace’s lessons, and love helping whenever a load of hay arrives. I grew up on a farm, and being around horses always brings back some happy memories. HORSEPOWER has an amazing group of people and I feel blessed that we are part of the family here.”
Susan Bailey – I earned my Bachelor and MBA degrees at HPU majoring in Business Management with a concentration in International. I currently work with Tempur-Sealy Mattress Company in Global Sourcing. I have worked in Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement/Sourcing with various companies throughout my career. As I was trying to find my path in life, I spent one year as a teacher assistant in the Guilford County School System where I was introduced to a very special group of students in the Life Skills class. In addition to connecting with the special needs of students, I was taking part in the occasional horse show, riding in a few Western Pleasure events. Several years later, I experienced a serendipitous event which brought me to Horsepower in the summer of 2023 where I began to volunteer. I have found my passion, and my life has been so enriched. What a blessing to be part of such an amazing organization!
I am currently Triad Business Bank’s High Point/Greensboro Market President. I have nearly 20 years of experience in banking and financial services, including working at Capital Bank & Trust, Renasant Bank, CapStar Bank, Bank of America and BB&T, where I served as a Market Leader and Vice President in High Point. I am a native of Macon, GA. However, most of my adult life prior to NC was spent in the Nashville, TN area. I am a graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, TN as well as the Southeastern School of Banking. I ventured outside of banking from May of 2018 though August of 2020 and worked as the Government Fleet Manager with Ilderton Dodge. During my time at Ilderton, we were the top supplier of Chrysler government vehicles in the nation. I bid cooperative contracts and held many contracts with the state of North Carolina and the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association for municipal and law enforcement vehicles. I worked with many police departments, Sheriff’s Offices, the ABC Board, varying universities, the SBI and many other state organizations. I enjoy being active in the community. I completed Leadership High Point in 2017. I currently serve on the finance committee for the YWCA of High Point, Business High Point Board, and the Board for the Greensboro Police Foundation. I was a Reserve Police Officer in Hendersonville, TN and served on the Lieutenants and Captains Committee of the High Point Police Department for several years. I have also volunteered my time with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Central Piedmont, the Winston-Salem Dash Foundation and Special Olympics, among other organizations. My wife, Angela, and I reside in Jamestown.
Allen is currently the VPGM for Western and Workwear at Kontoor Brands. In addition, he is responsible for Western special events and ensuring the Wrangler brand is the leading western lifestyle brand in the world. He is working to make Wrangler a leading Workwear brand in multi channels globally. Prior to his current role at Kontoor Brands Allen was VPGM of Western and Specialty apparel at VF. He has also served as VP of Sales for Western Specialty and VP of Marketing Communications. Allen started his career as a Sales Trainee in Dallas and held various positions as a field rep, Account Executive, Sales Manager and eventually was responsible for Sales for the Western US. He then moved to Greensboro to take the role of VP Marketing Communications. He has worked on special assignments for VF working with Deloitte on MRS 2000 and BCG on the VF Growth plan. Allen has a BA from the University of Texas. He has attended numerous special programs at UNC, Wake Forest, SMU, Center for Creative Leadership and VF Max series to name a few. He enjoys time with family and friends, raising great kids, good wine, golf, and being able to be head cowboy at Wrangler whenever he wants.
More information coming soon!