Douglas R. Newton, Founder/President, founded Rocky Top Therapy Center and TRAIL Foundation in 1990, both 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organizations. Prior business experience includes founding and managing several oil and gas related companies until selling his businesses in 1990. He is a graduate of Colorado State University with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. Doug and his wife, Vivian, have been 40-year residents of Keller and both are very active in supporting the community and other not-for-profit organizations. Doug is a past president of Rotary Club, a board member of the Keller Chamber of Commerce and is a director on the advisory board for the School of Community Services at North Texas University.

Judy Youngs, Executive Director/Director of Development, joined RTTC in March 2008. She has been involved with numerous for profit and not-for-profit organizations, holding leadership responsibilities with national, state, regional and local nonprofit and business organizations. Judy is a native Texan, born in Johnson County, and now residing in Keller, TX.

Pam Fitch, Executive Assistant, came from the Chicago area to Texas in 1984. She worked at the Executive Assistant level at NICOR, Inc., Ketal Oil Producing Co., Verizon and RTTC. She joined RTTC in 1990 as Executive Assistant to the Founder/President. Attended Northern Illinois University where she studied business education.

Colleen Steyn, Administrative Manager, manages the administrative functions of RTTC and is the “voice of Rocky Top” who has cheerfully greeted riders, family members and guests since 2001. She has had extensive experience in computer programming, bookkeeping, general office and secretarial responsibilities.

Lisa Harvey, Program Director Therapy Services, NARHA Certified Instructor, joined Rocky Top in January 2010. She is a NARHA certified instructor, responsible for therapeutic riding and hippotherapy programs, including program development, rider evaluations and scheduling, staffing and competitions. She also has her EFMHA certification and works with the Right TRAIL program. Lisa recently moved to Keller from Southern Oregon where she ran a therapeutic riding program. She attended Southern Oregon University where she studied Psychology/Children’s Disabilities. Her interests include using animals and art as therapy.

Kim Mills, Director of Education and Counseling Services LPCS, EAP, NCC, NARHA Certified Instructor
Kim received her Masters Degree in Counseling from the University of North Texas and is a licensed professional counselor. She has also received her Equine Assisted Psychotherapy certification from EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) and is a NARHA certified instructor. Kim is also certified to be a Supervisor for Licensed Professional Counseling Interns. She is directly responsible for the Right TRAIL program, counseling services, Horses for Heroes, and the Cowboy Challenge Course. Kim originally came to RTTC as a volunteer in 2006 and joined as a staff member in 2007.

Linda Engle, Director of Volunteer Services, has been the volunteer coordinator at RTTC since 2004 and oversees the training development and activities of over 250 volunteers who donate in excess of 16,000 hours per year. Her experience includes sales and marketing in the banking industry, personnel agency owner and compliance and training officer in the securities industry. Linda attended both Houston Community College and San Jacinto College in Houston, TX

Don Youngs, Director of Development, joined Rocky Top in March 2008, where, he shares the responsibility for identifying funding opportunities and grant writing for the center. For the past 26+ years, Don has been an entrepreneur, and fundraising consultant for both nonprofit and for profit organizations. Born and raised in southern Louisiana, Don's education includes a BBA (Marketing) from Southern Methodist University; Dallas, as well as MBA (Marketing Concentration) also from Southern Methodist University; Dallas.

Brooke Wing, Horse Manager, NARHA Certified Riding Instructor, joined Rocky Top in 2005 and is responsible for the 50+ therapy horses utilized in its programs. She has been involved with horses for over 30 years, from showing paint horses at a National level and later operating her own training facility. As horse manager, she is in charge of the day to day care of the horses, including shoeing, vaccinations, and schooling, as well as the emergency care and screening of horse donations. Brooke is also a NARHA certified instructor. She attended Texas A&M where she studied Animal Science, is a past President of AJPHA

Suzanne Sessums, Hippotherapist, LPT, NARHA Certified Instructor, AHA Registered Therapist, has been a physical therapist with RTTC since 2005. She received her physical therapy license in 1999 and also works as a physical therapist in the Fort Worth School District as well as PRN with Wise Community Hospital in Decatur, TX. She is a NARHA certified instructor and a registered Level II Hippotherapy Instructor.

Jennifer Steinmetz, Director of Challenge Course & Assistant Instructor EAGALA Certified Level 1, is an energetic Certified Challenge Course Facilitator with seven years experience combining experiential education and equine assisted learning techniques in the Right TRAIL life skills program for at-risk youth. She is certified in both low and high element challenge course facilitation; Level 1 Certification – Equine Assisted Growth and Learning, and Certified Challenge Course Facilitator – Level II. Jenn received her B.A. Business Administration from Drury College, Springfield, MO.

Michel Willis, Therapeutic Riding Instructor, NARHA Certified Riding Instructor, EAGALA Certified Level 1 and Level II Certifications, joined RTTC in 2005. She rode professionally with the All American Cowgirl Chicks for over five years before joining Rocky Top. Michel works with the Right TRAIL program as a horse specialist as well as a therapeutic riding instructor.

Shannon Gibbs, Therapeutic Riding Instructor, NARHA Certified Instructor in training, Shannon came to RTTC as a volunteer in 2005 and was recognized as RTTC’s “Shining Star” Volunteer in 2008. She has life long experience of working with horses and teaching kids how to ride and care for horses. Her responsibilities at RTTC include being a trainer-leader, therapeutic riding instructor and schooling horses.

Rita Fechtel, Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Advanced NARHA Certified Instructor, has extensive experience with horses and therapeutic riding. She began her therapeutic riding experience in 1985 as a volunteer and subsequently became a NARHA Certified Instructor in 1988. Rita joined RTTC in 2006 as a therapeutic riding instructor. In addition she works with the Right TRAIL program and Horses for Heroes, and also assists with our special event horse shows such as Special Olympics and Chisholm Challenge.

Chris Covington, Equine Assisted Therapy Intern, Certified Level 1 Challenge Course, began working at Rocky Top in 2008. Graduated from Abilene Christian University with a Bachelor degree in Psychology and continues his graduate work at University of North Texas. He is certified as a Level 1 Challenge Course Practitioner and is currently pursuing his license as a professional counselor, certification as an EAGALA Equine Assisted Psychotherapist and NARHA Registered Riding Instructor.