Meet Our Board of Directors
Vernon F- Board Chair
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!
Susan R -Treasurer
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.
Jan C- Executive Director
Jan is the founder and Executive Director of HORSEPOWER. Before starting HORSEPOWER Jan owned and operated an accounting practice in Dallas, Texas for 15 years as well as a horse boarding facility for five years. Jan is a level two certified riding instructor by the Association for Horsemanship Safety and Education and a Registered Instructor by PATH Intl.
Melissa L- Board Member
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.
Isadore M- Board Member
More information coming soon!
Colleen C- Board Member
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.
Brandon C- Board Member
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.
Melissa W- Board Member
Melissa joined the HORSEPOWER board in 2019. She began volunteering as a sidewalker with her daughter, Natalie, in 2015. Soon after she trained to be a leader as well. In 2020, her family donated their sweet horse Willie to HORSEPOWER where he happily helps lots of riders. She attended UNC Chapel Hill for undergrad and received her Masters at the University of Arkansas. Melissa worked in sales and sales management for years. In 2000 she went back to school to become a mental health therapist. She has been married to Tom Waldron for over 28 years and they have two daughters, Abby and Natalie.
George W- Board Member
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.
Ellis M- Board Member
Ellis Martin is originally from Morganton, North Carolina, and now lives outside of Gibsonville on a small farm with his fiancé, Olivia Fajen, their sons, Slade and Finn Martin, and their four horses and two dogs. Ellis went to undergrad at Davidson where he played football, then attended law school at UNC. He currently practices health care law with Fox Rothschild, LLP in Greensboro. Ellis' passion for horses and helping people brought him to HORSEPOWER. He enjoys his work on the HORSEPOWER board to help bring horses and people together to make an impact in the community.
Melanie S- Board Member
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!
Matt S- Board Member
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.”
Jim R- Board Member
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.”
Judi F- Board Member
Judi graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Education, English, and Psychology Teaching Fields; The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Master of Education in Educational Media and Instructional Design; and the Seton Hill University with a Master of Arts in Writing. Before retiring, she worked for 9 years with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Training Education and Development, Division of Instructional Systems and Technology as an Instructional System Specialist. Before that she spent nine years in the Transportation Security Administration/Department of Homeland Security as a Training Coordinator. Then 14 years with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health, as a Training Manager, creating computer training for the scientific and laboratory support staff for the Division of Intramural Research on all supported software products. She then became a Certified Master Trainer and certified Microsoft Technical Trainer, and was a Contract Monitor for the Computer training instructors, Scientific computing training instructors, and IT Support contractors. She created training curriculum for all levels of employees at NIEHS from rat lab workers to administrative staff to heads of laboratory and their scientific staff. From 1984-1988 she was a Sargent for the US Army, Military Intelligence Analyst. In her spare time, she has also served as the President of the North Carolina Gourd Society, 1st Vice President for the American Gourd Society, Secretary on the Board for Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network and foster, Volunteer for HORSEPOWER Therapeutic Learning Center, Demonstrator for five North Carolina state historic sites, Member and demonstrator of the Southeastern Civilian Living History Association, and Teach art and writing various art classes across the eastern United States.