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Professional Service Volunteers
Our Leaders
Tracie Martin
Community Coordinator
Following almost three decades as a member of the Southwest Airlines work force, a company known for its big heart and community service, Tracie continues to exercise her well-developed volunteer spirit after retirement. Her love of horses, that began in childhood, coupled with a Christian-based desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others, was an easy match to the ministry of Hidden Springs Youth Ranch. She and her husband, Keith, provide both manpower and financial support to numerous Texas-based nonprofit organizations.
Elizabeth "Liz" Wallace
Volunteer Coordinator
Elizabeth resides in Converse, Texas, with her husband and her elderly mother in the same home that she has been in for 50 years! She was an LCDC (licensed chemical dependency counselor), where she was an Assistant Director and training director of a halfway house. She went back to school where she graduated magna cum laude from Texas Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught for nine years working with children with special needs from early childhood to high school.
She had found her calling in mentoring and helping others. God brought Liz to HSYR in August 2017, where she has grown with our organization and has now taken a new leadership role as Volunteer Coordinator. Liz continues to share her gift at every session, where she is able to mentor children and share her story of God’s love.
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Angie Kruse
Sessions Coordinator
Angie grew up on a horse farm in Maryland. Her family raised Standard Bred race horses and she also participated in the state sport of Jousting! Weekends were spent traveling across the East Coast to different tournaments and competitions. After losing her mother to cancer as a teen, Angie’s family moved to South Carolina. The transition to a new school, new state, and the loss of her mother was difficult, but she found comfort in her faith and time spent with horses. Being on the team at Hidden Springs Youth Ranch has been an exciting and rewarding experience for her.
Kathy Usher
Facilities Manager
Kathy Usher is our resident trainer and facilities manager. She comes to us from Oregon via Arizona where she has spent her life training and showing exceptional quarter horses and developing the skills of those who love and/or own horses. Her expertise covers a broad spectrum from very basic/intro to world-class. Although she has experience in many riding and training disciplines, her passion has been in 4 main areas.
1) Youth development
2) Horse training
3) Rodeo competition
4) Cutting Horse competition.
Kathy has shown horses in a variety of disciplines but grew up competing as a barrel racer. She lives on the property with her husband Bobby who is also a resident trainer and facilities manager as well. Together, they are ready to both teach beginners and help advanced riders refine their craft.
Pam Frey
Prayer Associate
Married for 40 years this wife and mom comes from South Louisiana in the heart of Cajun country. Pam naturally loved all things familiar cooking to gardening and of course horses. From riding the trails to competing in Cutting, Reining events being in an arena was a place of safety and security, the world made sense on the back of a horse. As an only child of military family things changed often. This wife and mother of two has one priority which is making sure that children have a childhood that is pure and uninterrupted and standing up for those who can’t fight their own battle is her heart.
“We might only have one chance to intervene in a kid’s path if we respond to that encounter with obedience we are following the Lord’s will, we just might change a path for the better. I meet each person with arms wide open and a smile because they need to know they matter in this big world. No one really knows what is going on with a child in need, but by providing positive affirmation and pouring love into them maybe we can pass on a blessing to remember. By loving, everyone and our faith shared we can leave a worthy set of footprints in young hearts.”
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Professional Service Volunteers
Barak Tamayo
Graphic Designer
Barak is an Art Director and Graphic Designer at Tamayo Design, based in San Antonio. He created our beautiful Hidden Springs Youth Ranch logo and continues to help us with all creative elements and signage.
Ted brings his brilliant, creative talents to Hidden Springs with some really great videos. Ted is a gifted production manager and is currently the Field Producer for SA Live on KSAT-TV.
Dr. Jones provides veterinary services for our herd. He supports the mission of HSYR by maintaining and overseeing the health and well-being of our equine counselors. We are grateful for his abilities and his compassion.
Rudy is an experienced horseman and driving professional. He provided the training to make "Scout" the best cart pony around. He is currently a handler for a prestigious team of draft horses.