The Purveyors oF"TRAK Magic"
Our organization tends to hire from its dedicated pool of advanced riders, long-time volunteers and interns.
Volunteering is a great way to get to know us!
Volunteering is a great way to get to know us!
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Scott Tilley, Founder, Executive Director
Scott was born and raised as a "city boy" in Scottsdale, AZ, spending his weekends fishing. At age ten, his family moved to a 20 acre ranch in New Mexico, where his closest neighbor was a race jockey and horse breeder. Scott spent every bit of his spare time with that neighbor, who became his mentor, teaching him all about horses: training, riding, breeding, farrier duties, all along with a strong work ethic. After high school, Scott worked for his father in their family tire shop and on the family cattle farm with livestock ranging from cattle to pigs, sheep and chickens. At age 30, Scott moved to Mexico and ran the Club Med horse program, while simultaneously running the Santosa Breeding Stables in Tucson. In 2007, TRAK was established. Scott and his wife, Jill, have three daughters, ages 20, 20 and 16. Scott's hobbies are fishing and off-road racing. |
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Chelsea Menke, Program Director CHA-Certified Riding Instructor, Behavioral Health Specialist Chelsea has been involved in the equine community for the past 25 years. She has much experience working on ranches, training horses and teaching horseback riding lessons. Chelsea has always had a passion for children. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Psychology. During her time at the university she continued to engage in Tucson’s equine community as well as in the university’s mentorship program where she worked with children diagnosed with a mental or behavioral disorder. Post College, Chelsea worked for a local behavioral health agency as a counselor and case manager where she gained skills and further experience working with children and families. Chelsea left the agency to pursue her dreams of combining her passions of working with children and animals. As the program director, Chelsea manages all of TRAK’s daily operations and various programs. She works with children of all ages and abilities in order to grow TRAK's vision and mission to strengthen families and community through animal interaction. The expansion of the animal-assisted life skills program (AALS) has been Chelsea’s main goal for our growing program. |
Vanessa Larter, Assistant Program Manager, Animal-Assisted Life Skills Coordinator
Vanessa is a Tucson local who has been involved with TRAK since 2013. She started with us as a UofA intern and graduated with a bachelors degree in Family Studies and Human Development. After college, Vanessa remained at TRAK and became a social worker for Marana Unified School District. She is absolutely thrilled to be working at TRAK full time to enhance the relationship between the community and our sweet animals! Vanessa's horse, Lucky, lives at TRAK and is a great asset to the program!
Melinda Sharma, Development Director
Melinda brings years of expertise in scientific innovation, discovery, and grantsmanship combined with the empathy that comes with being a parent of a child with significant medical and developmental challenges. Melinda volunteers her time to engage the community and develop partnerships that will sustain TRAK for future generations. Melinda and her family have been members at TRAK for several years and she calls the ranch her second home.
Melinda brings years of expertise in scientific innovation, discovery, and grantsmanship combined with the empathy that comes with being a parent of a child with significant medical and developmental challenges. Melinda volunteers her time to engage the community and develop partnerships that will sustain TRAK for future generations. Melinda and her family have been members at TRAK for several years and she calls the ranch her second home.
Megan Ayer, Office Manager
Megan was born and raised in Eastern Washington. She grew up doing 4-H and County Fairs, learning to ride by going on cattle drives in her hometown and following her mom to events. In 2016 she received her Bachelors within the College of Agriculture from Utah State University. Working here is a perfect fit for her; giving back to the community and spending time with animals! Megan's horse Charlie is also stabled at TRAK!
Megan was born and raised in Eastern Washington. She grew up doing 4-H and County Fairs, learning to ride by going on cattle drives in her hometown and following her mom to events. In 2016 she received her Bachelors within the College of Agriculture from Utah State University. Working here is a perfect fit for her; giving back to the community and spending time with animals! Megan's horse Charlie is also stabled at TRAK!
Jordyn Carter, Director of Events
Jordyn brings her background in non-profit development and event management, combined with her passion of working with kids and her love for animals. Jordyn strives to spread the mission of TRAK through community outreach, donor cultivation, and creating top caliber events. You can always find her at the ranch with her children, William and Camryn, spending time with their favorite horse, Dude.
Jordyn brings her background in non-profit development and event management, combined with her passion of working with kids and her love for animals. Jordyn strives to spread the mission of TRAK through community outreach, donor cultivation, and creating top caliber events. You can always find her at the ranch with her children, William and Camryn, spending time with their favorite horse, Dude.
Doris Stivers, Volunteer Coordinator
Doris took over as Volunteer Coordinator in 2016 and we couldn't imagine doing things without her. She runs volunteer orientations as well as our TRAK Intern Program! She and her husband Dan are world travelers having gone everywhere from India to Peru!! They have 4 wonderful daughters; Adriana, Alyssia, Aspen, and Saige. The girls ride here and also help with our summer camp ~ Their horse Raine is even stabled at TRAK!
Doris took over as Volunteer Coordinator in 2016 and we couldn't imagine doing things without her. She runs volunteer orientations as well as our TRAK Intern Program! She and her husband Dan are world travelers having gone everywhere from India to Peru!! They have 4 wonderful daughters; Adriana, Alyssia, Aspen, and Saige. The girls ride here and also help with our summer camp ~ Their horse Raine is even stabled at TRAK!
Kelsey Purdy, Shift Leader and Riding Instructor
Kelsey has been riding her whole life, including participation in rodeos and timed events. She recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelors in Veterinary Science. She is a shift lead and riding instructor at TRAK! Her horse Holly is stabled nearby, you can find them on trail rides or at races on the weekends!
Kelsey has been riding her whole life, including participation in rodeos and timed events. She recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelors in Veterinary Science. She is a shift lead and riding instructor at TRAK! Her horse Holly is stabled nearby, you can find them on trail rides or at races on the weekends!
Bella Briamonte, CHA-Certified Riding Instructor
Bella is a 2018 high school grad and has been a rider with TRAK for quite some time! She is an instructor for our Little Buckaroos program and also coordinates birthday parties! Bella also rides her favorite horse Monyoso in our Gymkhana events.
Bella is a 2018 high school grad and has been a rider with TRAK for quite some time! She is an instructor for our Little Buckaroos program and also coordinates birthday parties! Bella also rides her favorite horse Monyoso in our Gymkhana events.
Michaela Ronnie, Ranch Manager and CHA-Certified Riding Instructor
Michaela is a long time TRAK rider, and is a recent high school graduate of 2018! She is a Little Buckaroos Instructor as well as the manager of the ranch! Michaela's horse Blaze is stabled nearby, you can see them riding together during our Gymkhana events!
Michaela is a long time TRAK rider, and is a recent high school graduate of 2018! She is a Little Buckaroos Instructor as well as the manager of the ranch! Michaela's horse Blaze is stabled nearby, you can see them riding together during our Gymkhana events!
Tayler Priewe, Riding Instructor
Tayler is a recent high school grad of 2018! She is a riding instructor at TRAK. While riding is a passion of hers, so are photography and swimming. She also completed an apprenticeship at Southern Veterinary Specialty and Emergency so that she could be a veterinary assistant upon graduation.
Tayler is a recent high school grad of 2018! She is a riding instructor at TRAK. While riding is a passion of hers, so are photography and swimming. She also completed an apprenticeship at Southern Veterinary Specialty and Emergency so that she could be a veterinary assistant upon graduation.
Cierra Smith, Shift Leader
Cierra is entering her junior year of college at the University of Arizona this fall, working towards a veterinary science bachelor's degree. She started interning with TRAK in January 2018, and fell in love with the animals as well as the special community that exists inside the ranch, and began working as an employee in May 2018! Cierra plans to become either a large animal vet or a wildlife veterinarian.
Cierra is entering her junior year of college at the University of Arizona this fall, working towards a veterinary science bachelor's degree. She started interning with TRAK in January 2018, and fell in love with the animals as well as the special community that exists inside the ranch, and began working as an employee in May 2018! Cierra plans to become either a large animal vet or a wildlife veterinarian.
Erik Lindmark, Ranch Maintenance
Erik was born and raised in New York and received his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York. He is a retired detective after having served 26 years as a crime scene tech, and spent 7 years in the child abuse investigation unit. He is married, an avid NY Yankees fan and has over 20 years experience volunteering with animal rescues and the homeless.
Erik was born and raised in New York and received his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York. He is a retired detective after having served 26 years as a crime scene tech, and spent 7 years in the child abuse investigation unit. He is married, an avid NY Yankees fan and has over 20 years experience volunteering with animal rescues and the homeless.
Ana Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant & Finance Manager
Ana is a Texan native with a heart and soul for the desert. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2016 with a Bachelors degree in Veterinary Science. Her studies and experiences in the animal sciences range from domestic to wildlife and exotic medicine, with roles as a student, employee, and club leadership. Ana has worked as a veterinary technician and on a cattle ranch prior to her involvement with TRAK, and has a diverse history with volunteering in community events and non-profit organizations for animal aid and services. She started with us in March 2018 as a shift leader and plans to continue pursuing higher education that specializes in the veterinary field.
Ana is a Texan native with a heart and soul for the desert. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2016 with a Bachelors degree in Veterinary Science. Her studies and experiences in the animal sciences range from domestic to wildlife and exotic medicine, with roles as a student, employee, and club leadership. Ana has worked as a veterinary technician and on a cattle ranch prior to her involvement with TRAK, and has a diverse history with volunteering in community events and non-profit organizations for animal aid and services. She started with us in March 2018 as a shift leader and plans to continue pursuing higher education that specializes in the veterinary field.
