Leadership

Meet the Staff

Sue Gray
Executive Director

Cheryl Bennett
Administrative Assistant

Meet the Board Members

Casey Armstrong

Region: Northeast NCHC Board member Casey Armstrong does not remember a time in her life when horses were not a significant factor. She grew...

Tina Batchelor
Board Member

Region: Central “That pony that you stop and pet every afternoon on your way home from school…..she’s yours!”  So began a lifetime of loving...

Michael Benner

Region: West Central Owning and Operating a training ranch in Chatham County. Even though horses didn’t become a part of Michael’s life until his...

Tom Bennett

Region: Central Tom is a current member of the Board of Directors and is an Executive Committee member. Together with his wife Linda he...

Pat Benton

Region: Northwest Pat is from Yadkin County, Jonesville, NC. She earned her Certificate in Equine Science, and paramount to her is education as she...

David Brooks
Board Member

Region: Central David Brooks is a Certified Polo Instructor, Certified Master Saddle Fitter, Saddler, and an accomplished horseman. These four traits produce a unique...

Dottie Burch
Board Member

Region: Central Dottie Burch has served on the NCHC Board of Directors for almost seven years and has been a member of the NCHC...

Scottie Campbell

Region: I’m originally a Virginia girl, born into a Southern Baptist minister’s family. My family has modeled and shown me much love through my life,...

Mary Constantino
Board Member

Region: Central “I see many parallels in our lives, business and personal, that are magnificently impacted by horses that even go beyond the fact...

Todd Erickson
Board Member

Region: Central West I grew up in rural America around agriculture and animals or all sorts. While western riding was the most common, as...

Tom Fischer
Board Member

Region: Northwest I was born and raised in Greenville SC, self-employed in the restaurant and hotel business. Served as president of the South Carolina...

Allan Harper

Region: North Central Member of the Inter-National Shrine Horse Patrol Member and a board member of the NC High School Rodeo Association. Harper Landscaping,...

Erin Hensley  
Board Member

Region:  North Central I traded my Barbies in for horses at age 5 and haven’t looked back since. I’m very fortunate to have had...

Sammy Jenkins
Board Member

Region: Central Sammy is an extremely active member of the equestrian community, serving both on the NCHC Board and Executive Committee and on the...

Alison Gay

Region: Central Background and Experience Nearly two decades involvement in the horse industry, volunteer with therapeutic riding centers, work experience at Dover Saddle

Mary Myers
Board Member

Region: Western Ms. Meyers is a retired USDA Farm Management Specialist, Agricultural Lending, Farm Loan Manager from the Concord/Charlotte area. Mary currently pleasure

Gayle Nifong

Region: Northwest Gayle has served on the NCHC Board for the last four years. She is a REINS volunteer and has been an active...

Patty Nunnery

Region: Southeast I have been involved in the horse industry for over 35 years. From purchasing my first trail/pleasure horse for personal enjoyment, to...

Rick Peniston

Region: Southwestern Rick is located in the Charlotte area and is a practicing attorney. He is also an accomplished horseman. According to Rick: “I...

Jimmy Petty
Board Member

Region: Western I’ve been shoeing horses since I was 17 years old. I attend at least one, sometimes two continued education clinics/courses a month. ...

Bob Sanford

Region: North Central Bob has been involved with the Equine World since childhood; having gotten his first horse from the Island Ponies of the...

Tracey Scheltinga

Region: North Central Tracey is the owner of “It’s All About Horses!”, a tack store in Apex, NC. She has been a NC Real...

Dave Spencer
Board Member

Region: Eastern My goal in the Equine Industry is to continue to promote our love of horses and to provide opportunities for the next...

Carey Stewart
Board Member

Region: Eastern Hello, my name is Carey Stewart and I am an Equine instructor at Martin Community College on the coast of North Carolina. ...

Tracey Tinsley
Board Member

Region: Central I first developed a love for horses as a small child riding on my grandparent’s farm in Missouri. Quickly after starting riding...

Jim Thomas

Region: Central A native of Chatham County, NC Jim has spent his entire life surrounded by horses. From his first horse at age 10,...

Tom Thomas

Region: Western Western North Carolina horse owner and enthusiast Tom serves on the Board for Gorge’s National Park and is heavily involved in organizing...

Rene Trehy 
Board Member

Region:  North Central I told my grandfather that I wanted to be a cowgirl when I grew up.  When visiting a famous fountain once...

Laura Wood
Board Member

Region: Southeast Employed with NCDA & CS Laurie lives in Ivanhoe, NC and is currently employed by the NCDA & CS in marketing and...

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