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WESTERN WISHES FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT | |
Donnalyn Quintana |
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WESTERN WISHES EXECUTIVE BOARD | Peter S. Ford
Australian CEO, author, and former journalist
Mr Ford was a television news anchor in the 1980's and 1990's in Australia and the USA; known in Australia for working at the Seven Network, and in the USA as a founding anchor at CNN's Headline News service, and NBC and its affiliates as a news anchor and journalist.
As a journalist, Mr Ford specialized in technology, medicine and military affairs. He provided live coverage at historical events such as the Space Shuttle mission at the Kennedy Space Center, and reporting live from the White House and the Pentagon on military and foreign policy. As a foreign correspondent for NBC and its affiliates he reported live from Moscow, the Vatican, the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Desert Storm; as well as from Afghanistan immediately after 9/11.
While at CNN, Mr Ford became a computer analyst on the first team to develop microcomputers for rehabilitation and communications for people with disabilities at the VAMC Rehab R&D Lab in Atlanta, GA. He worked with Principal Investigator Gary Wynn Kelly in writing "Joy Writer2", an Apple-based program that enabled persons stricken with neuromuscular disease and spinal injuries to replace a computer keyboard with a joystick controller. He has also published a novel, "The Keeper of Dreams".
Today, he is the founder and CEO of Control Bionics (http://www.controlbionics.com), a neural systems technology company, and the inventor of Neuro Switch, an EMG (electromyograph) based communications and control system for people with profound disabilities. Neuro Switch enables a person with quadriplegia and loss of speech to control a computer, communicate with text and text-to-speech (TTS) and control environmental systems, television and personal media internet access, emails, and SMS (mobile texting). |  |
| | Deve Swaim, MS, is president of Heart Zones Education. For 40 years Deve has been a health education advocate, teacher, and innovator. Her teaching and training experience extends from middle school through the university level, with expertise in curriculum development. She has won numerous educational awards, served at the executive level of many professional organizations such as the Northwest District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and the Oregon Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. She has shared her knowledge at numerous seminars and conventions across the country and internationally. Deve is a past director of the Oregon Health Promotion Foundation and represented Oregon on the National Coalition of Health Promotion Foundations. She currently teaches in the Graduate Teacher Education Program at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. |  |
| Cydney Liles
A native Nevadan, Cyd retired in 2004 as Asst. VP - Human Resources from AgCredit Financial in Reno, Nevada, after 26 years. She currently serves on the Women's Ministry Board of Reno Christian Fellowship and has been with Western Wishes since its inception in 1994. She has been involved in junior, high school and Senior Pro Rodeo since 1983 in a variety of administrative positions.
Acting as assistant director for Western Wishes from 94-99, Cyd has extensive knowledge of Western Wishes and a passion for the vision of the program.
Married for the past 39 years to Jackie, two grown sons and four grandsons.
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| John Wayne Schulz
Entertainer, 2011 American Idol Finalist |  |
| Keith Mundee
President at Chris Cox Horsemanship Co.
Keith Mundee was born and raised in Southern California, where he was a partner in several different business ventures; including a ranch and commercial team roping arena. Keith has been married to his wife Terri, for 29 years. They have two grown and married daughters, Lindsey and Brittany; as well as three wonderful grandchildren.
In 1997, Keith and Terri moved to Nampa, Idaho and Keith took a position with Miller International; the parent company of Cinch, Cruel Girl, Rockies, Southern Thread, and Miller Ranch. He spent 11 years with Miller International, starting as an Account Manager, and eventually became President of the company.
In 2011, Keith took a position as President of Chris Cox Horsemanship and Diamond Double C Ranch, and moved his family to Texas. He and Terri now reside in Mineral Wells.
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| Glen Young
General Manager, PBR Australia
Based in Townsville, Queensland Australia.
General Manager of Professional Bull Riders (Australia) where I work closely with PBR USA on the development and expansion of the PBR Brand throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Major Projects for 2012 include:
6 International Cup Series Events with the Brendon Clark Invitational, Troy Dunn Invitational, Brisbane Invitational, Wollongong Invitational, Tamworth Invitational and Sydney National Finals.
In addition to this we will be rolling out 10 major regional events across the country as well as overseeing a Sanctioned Event Series where events are incorporated with major festivals, with a total of 26 events over the course of the year.
In addition to the “Live” events our focus in 2012 will also be on launching the Live Web Stream of Events along with rolling out our merchandise line into over 400 stores Australia wide.
The last 2 years has seen the sport of Professional Bull Riding embed itself in the Australian Sporting culture with a number of events selling out in 2011 and with the same projected for 2012 as more and more people become exposed to this cowboy heritage main stream sporting competition.
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| Sherry Compton
Media Department Manager
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association |  |
| Scott Mendes
Former World Champion Bull Rider
Founder & Executive Director, Western Harvest Ministries
Scott is a PRCA World Champion Bull rider, husband and father, and ordained Pastor of Western Harvest Ministries. Every month, he put ons bull riding camps. Participants are from age 12 to all the way up to 30+. They come from all over the country to participate in the camps.
Western Harvest Ministries
We are dedicated to reaching the youth of America, and to all that love the Western heritage. We desire to share with individuals and families through, the unconditional love of God, the life skills necessary to be a productive, positive influence in their communities, while participating in the sport they love. It is our goal is to transform the lives of those young people as they are able to perform in a sport that they love.
We have purchased property in Weatherford, Texas that will serve as our headquarters. This property will allow us to produce many types of events. For the past several years, we have operated throughout the United States conducting Christian Bull Riding Events and training camps. We also have special youth and Ministry speaking engagements in the cities we stop at.
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WESTERN WISHES EXECUTIVE STAFF | Rebecca "Becca" Brayton Bendlak
National Executive Director
& Director, Northeastern United States Chapter
Becca brings 24 years of nonprofit management experience to her new post as National Executive Director of Western Wishes. She has raised millions of charitable dollars during her career and served in management positions at several prominent nonprofit institutions including The Cleveland Orchestra, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland Botanical Garden and Case Western Reserve University. She holds a Masters Degree in Nonprofit Management from the CWRU Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.
In 2004 she opened Bendlak + Associates, a firm providing event planning, fundraising and organizational management consulting to nonprofit organizations.
For the past 43 years Becca has shown performance and rodeo horses. She was among the first female drivers in Standardbred racing shortly after completing her undergraduate degree at Ohio State University. Prior to her nonprofit career Becca owned and operated Woodhaven Training Center in Ruston, Louisiana. Her accomplishments include numerous national and world championship titles in several breed associations and horse sport associations.
A native Clevelander, Becca lives in Newbury, Ohio with her two sons Brayton John (13) and Pierce Robert (9). Though her horses are now a hobby she still rides competitively in several cow horse associations. Becca's other interests include; snow skiing, jet skiing, snorkeling, geocaching with her boys, and being a mom. | Photo and biography to come soon |
| Kathy Pahr
National PR Director
Kathy Pahr is principal of Pahr Public Relations. She has worked in PR and Marketing for over 22 years. She worked for The Cleveland Orchestra and it's summer home Blossom Music Center for over 20 years. Most recently, she has managed the Public Relations campaign for the The Greater Cleveland Film Commission's annual Road to the Red Carpet benefit. Kathy has also worked in Marketing as Group Sales Manager, coordinating group events involving concerts and post-concert receptions.
Kathy's most important job is working as CEO of the Pahr Family. She is married to Dean who is an anesthesiologist and they have 2 sons, Holden and Colin who are in high school. Her many responsibilities include cooking, cleaning and laundry. She is mediocre at all of these tasks.
Kathy has been an active volunteer serving on boards for the PTA, Schools Foundation, Ashtabula Arts Center, Northeast Ohio Autism Group, Leadership Geauga Class of 2011 and Youth Leadership program. She is also involved at her church teaching Sunday school and serving as a mentor to the confirmation classes.
Kathy is a graduate of The Ohio State University. She enjoys skiing, running, cycling and just recently became scuba certified with her husband.
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| Eileen Phillips
National Communications Director
Born and raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana, Eileen is a third-generation rodeo competitor and rancher. Married, to former PRCA/BRO/PBR rough stock competitor Rex Phillips, for 23 years. They have two children, Sydnee and Billy Quade; and one grand daughter.
As a graduate of University of Montana – Western, Eileen has worked in rodeo event production for over 25 years, starting as PR Director for Western Rodeos, Inc.; then co-owner of Thunderstruck Productions, Inc; PR Director for the Idaho Cowboys Association; and PR/Marketing Director for Eagle Fun Days Rodeo. She served as the National Special Event Coordinator for Montana Silversmiths, over-seeing all PRCA events, including the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Hesston Buckle Program, Dodge National Circuit Finals, Calgary Stampede, and AQHA World Show events. She was a free-lance writer for over 6 years, and wrote a weekly column about ranch life and the rodeo trail for the Elko Daily Free Press in Elko, Nevada; 1997-2000. |  |
| Robyn Whaley
National Wish Recipient Director
Registered Nurse
Robyn brings more than 22 years clinical nursing experience to her position as Western Wishes' National Wish Recipient Director. She has enjoyed a wide array of positions including 8 years as the medic for Gary Leffew Bull Riding Schools, home health, and school nursing. Along with Western Wishes, she currently works as a visiting nurse for Nurse Family Partnership, a non-profit organization that provides Maternal & Early Childhood Health to low-income, first-time mom's. She is actively involved with Meals on Wheels, and Habitat for Humanity and spends much of her spare time with her husband and 4 children, who range in age from 13 to 26. Her hobbies include snow skiing, hiking, fishing, hunting, and is an avid photographer. Robyn is a native of Glendora, CA who spent her youth showing hunter/jumpers and currently resides in Rifle, CO. |  |
| Lee Quintana-Leach
New Membership/Marketing Director |  |
| Rex Kent
National Chapter Relations Director
Born and raised in the Midwest; Rex and his wife Jenifer live in the outskirts of Hastings MN with their 15yr old daughter Samantha. They have 3 boys, Tanner, Levi, and Derek; and are blessed with (3) beautiful grandchildren.
Rex is a National Sales Manager in the Safety Apparel Industry. Rex has served on (3) 4H Boards; as well as the President and Board Member of a local saddle club. Along with a passion for showing and competing on his own horses as a western way of life, he also has always had a passion for giving back to children who face adversity in their lives; which led he and Jenifer to Western Wishes. In March 2010, they launched the Western Wishes Midwest Chapter. By the end of 2011, the Midwest Chapter had become the most successful of all Western Wishes chapters. The Midwest Chapter has developed a vast amount of awareness and with that, many generous and committed supporters and sponsors. In 2011, the Midwest Chapter touched the lives of 14 children and granted 7 Wishes. They participate and include the wish families in a variety of events throughout the year such as rodeos, concerts, sporting events, expos and barrel races. Their annual events include the “Never Give Up” barrel race in partnership with Cowgirl Tuff Co, the “Dash for Dreams” barrel race and the “Fighting Spirit Banquet.” The Midwest Chapter was the first to hold an annual banquet. It was an overwhelming success, serving dinner to over 300 people..raising over $16,000. The heroes of the evening were the wish kids and their families as each one was recognized for their fighting spirit and inspiration to others. The highlight of the evening was granting (2) wishes to unknowing wish kids and a rousing 45 minute live auction that had the entire crowd on the edge of their seats. The Midwest Chapter believes in the fighting spirit of those that inspire us as “they do far more for us, than we will ever do for them.”
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