Leadership

Meet the Staff

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Sue Gray

Executive Director

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Cheryl Bennett

Administrative Assistant

Meet the Board of Directors

Casey Armstrong
Casey Armstrong

Board Member

Region: Northeast

NCHC Board member Casey Armstrong does not remember a time in her life when horses were not a significant factor. Read More >

Tina Batchelor

Board Member

Region: Central

“That pony that you stop and pet every afternoon on your way home from school…..she’s yours!”  Read More >

Michael Benner

Michael Benner

Board Member

Region: West Central

Owning and Operating a training ranch in Chatham County. Read More >

Tom Bennett

Tom Bennett

Board Member

Region: Central

Tom is a current member of the Board of Directors and is an Executive Committee member. Read More >

Pat Benton

Pat Benton

Board Member

Region: Northwest

Pat is from Yadkin County, Jonesville, NC. She earned her Certificate in Equine Science, and paramount to her is education as she believes that “Knowledge is power. Read More >

Heather Boodey

Heather Boodey

Board Member

Region: Central

Ingleside owner and trainer Heather Boodey grew up on a farm and with horse trainers as parents, has ridden her whole life.  Read More >

David Brooks

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 talent not commonly found. Read More >

Dottie Burch

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 Executive Committee since 2011. Read More >

Scottie Campbell

Board Member

Region: North Central

Always a country girl at heart, my childhood delight was to go to my grandparent’s farm and ride the work horses in the afternoon. Read More >

Alison Gay

Alison Grotz

Board Member

Region: West

Founder and Senior Certified Equine Appraiser of EquiAppraisal, LLC. Alison has operated elite competition stables, both domestically and abroad. Read More >

Allan Harper

Board Member

Region: North Central

Member of the International Shrine Horse Patrol Member and a board member of the NC High School Rodeo Association. Read More >

Sammy Jenkins

Sammy Jenkins

Board Member

Region: Central

Sammy is an extremely active member of the equestrian community, serving both on the NCHC Board and others. Read More >

Lauren Johnson

Board Member

Region: Southeast

I was born and raised on a cattle farm outside Lake Charles, Louisiana. My father rescued retired racing horses and used them to round up cattle on the farm. Read More >

Jerry King

Board Member

Region: Southeast

With over 28 years’ experience of breaking and training horses of all disciplines, Jerry King’s Training is the first stop for horses before stepping into specialized training for a future career. Read More >

Justin McLeod

Board Member

Region: South

Justin McLeod is a life-long resident of North Carolina, having grown up in Harnett and Brunswick Counties then moved to Cumberland County after marrying his wife. Read More >

Martha Mobley

Board Member

Region:

Martha is a 3rd generational farmer, continuing to operate a Century Farm, in Franklin County, NC.  It is a diversified farm with livestock (both beef and dairy cattle), sheep, meat goats, and poultry. Read More >

Mary Myers

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. Read More >

Amy Obermiller

Board Member

Region:

The love of horses started for Amy as a young girl but only through photos and the occasional trail ride once a year on vacations.  Read More >

Dory Pell

Board Member

Region: West

A third-generation horseman, she grew up in the Saddlebred industry enjoying success at the National and World Championship levels under the guidance of such greats as Don Stafford, Bill Becker, and Lewis Eckard, among others. Read More >

Rick Peniston

Rick Peniston

Board Member

Region: Southwestern

Rick is located in the Charlotte area and is a practicing attorney. He is also an accomplished horseman. Read More >

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.  Read More >

Bob Sanford

Bob Sanford

Board Member

Region: North Central

Bob has been involved with the Equine World since childhood; having gotten his first horse from the Island Ponies of the North Carolina Coast. Read More >

Tracey Scheltinga

Tracey Scheltinga

Board Member

Region: North Central

Tracey is the owner of “It’s All About Horses!”, a tack store in Apex, NC. Read More >

Dave Spencer

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 generation to become involved in the horse world. Read More >

Casey Stewart

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. Read More >

Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas

Board Member

Region: Central

A native of Chatham County, NC Jim has spent his entire life surrounded by horses. Read More >

Tom Thomas

Tom Thomas

Board Member

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 and administering trail development and maintenance. Read More >

Rene Trehy

Board Member

Region: Central

I told my grandfather that I wanted to be a cowgirl when I grew up. When visiting a famous fountain once as a six year old, I misheard… Read More >

Harrison Todd

Board Member

Region: East

Harrison Todd was born and raised in North Carolina. Growing up on the Todd’s family farm in Zebulon, he learned the importance of hard work and integrity. Read More >

Laura Wood

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 promotion. Read More >