President & Founder : Lauren Simna
- 6+ yrs equine rescue experience
- 25+ yrs equine experience
- Successful in ground training young & problem equines
- Successful starting equines in cart & under saddle
- 8+ yrs teaching riding & drivng lessons to beginners
- Versed in natural horsemanship, resistance-free training & classical riding principals.
- 10 yrs Project Mgmt experience
- 8 yrs Supervisory experience
Vice President : Allison Milano
- A love for horses, took lessons as a child and got back into horses a few years ago.
- Bachelors degree in Advertising & Marketing from Kent State University
- Began volunteering with us in March 2005
- Past President of the Cleveland Advertising Assoc, KSU Chapter
- 7 yrs Public Networking experience
- 6 yrs Media buying experience
- Past Advertising manager of the Daily Kent Stater
Treasurer : Frank Simna
- Became involved with horses when he married Lauren and adores the Haflinger horses he and Lauren raise.
- Strong background in Oracle financial systems
- Bachelors degree from Cleveland State University
- Active board member for the Olmsted Falls Coummunity Softball league
Secretary : Robin Heike
- Began volunteering with H.O.P.E. in February 2006.
- Management Experience
- 23 years experience working with an Advertising agency
- Well versed in coordinating, scheduling and planning.
- Experience prioritizing work and managing large groups
- Quark Express & Photoshop literate
Barn Manager : Yvonne Rawbon
- Began volunteering with H.O.P.E. in July 2005.
- Love of Horses
- 6 yrs experience owning fundraising company
- 11 ys experience in marketing and sales in Toronto, Canada
- Degree in Business Administration
- Certified Ebay Seller/Trading Assistant
Committee Chairman Facility & Adopted Horse Inspections: Sue Sasak
- Certification in HSUS Shelter Design & Planning
- Certification in FEMA Course
- Certification in Pet Behavior Therapy
- Certified ACT Series 1
- Completed National Cruelty Investigation School Level 1
- Currently enrolled in Vet Tech program
- Active member in the Animal Disaster Teams of Cuyahoga, Medina and Lorain Counties
- Sue has been working in a veterinary office for 10 years doing kennel care, assisting with surgery’s and office work.
Committee Chairman Facility Maintenance: Allen Preiss
- 4 years of carpentry experience
- 4 years heating, cooling & sheet metal experience
- CFC certified, Technician Type II & III
- Graduate of the Medina County Career Center
Advisory Board:
John
Gifford, DVM - Our primary
vet. Dr. Gifford is a licensed accredited
veterinarian in Ohio, Arizona and Montana
whose practice concentrates in the overall
health of your horse. He is a member of the:
~ American
Association of Equine Practitioners
~ American Veterinary Medical Association
~ Society for Theriogenology
~ American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians
Helen Knapper - Helen has been giving us guidance with grants and fundraising. Helen is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Non-Profit Management and is a great asset to us.
Liz
Kraker - Liz is our tax
advisor/accountant. Liz has owned her own
business "LK Tax & Accounting Service"
for 5 yrs. She has 14 years of professional
experience in bookkeeping and tax preparation,
as well as, audit respresentation. Liz has
been a wonderful help with our financial
portfolio.
Founder & President
Ann Marie O'Brian, Esq. - Ann Marie has been practicing law since 1991. She is a graduate of the University of Akron School of Law and experienced in equine law. We are very excited to have her on our advisory board.
Brooke Renaud - Brooke Renaud is a Certified Instructor with the American Riding Instructors Association. She believes and trains using classical methods, which fits in with H.O.P.E.'s approach very well. Brooke has been very successful in starting young prospects and introducing 2 and 3 year old horses to training. She trains and handles stallions as well; and is an accomplished rider in the classical areas of dressage, jumping and hunters.
Susan Zacharias, LSW, M.A., LPCC - Sue is going to be a valuable asset in helping us design and implement our other programs with abused women and children. We are very happy to have Sue join us.