Theresa J. Barbour

President

Theresa is a professional involved in developing responses to federal agency decisions. She also teaches classes to the public to encourage more informed advocacy. Her recent work includes a legal opinion that evaluates the mismanagement of public lands, wild horses, and their habitats by the federal government. This work is available on her Academia webpage along with previous and current research on various public lands management topics.

In the past, Theresa worked as a Research & Legal Consultant for Citizens Against Equine Slaughter. She also founded a group called Water for Western Wildlife Emergency Needs Initiative, through which she developed partnerships with the Forest Service for water hauling, and basic fence maintenance and gate management.

Theresa has a long history of nonprofit work, including serving as a public library director in Spencer, NY. She has also been a volunteer for over 30 years in animal advocacy and welfare organizations.

While studying at a community college, she pursued majors in accounting, business law, environmental law, and psychology. She was accepted to Baldwin-Wallace College for a pre-law program with a full scholarship, including a daycare scholarship, as a widowed mother with 3 children. Theresa went on to audit various law classes at Ithaca University in NY.

Janelle Ghiorso

Vice President & Financial Manager

Janelle holds the position of Vice President and assumes the responsibilities of the President should the need arise. Her role encompasses oversight of financial transactions, preparation of annual reports and taxes, as well as serving as a research assistant within the organization.

With a career spanning from 1996 to the present, my experience in accounting began as a self-employed professional and continued with my employment at a major grocery chain in 2008, where I currently serve as the Head Bookkeeper. My expertise in accounting, coupled with a fervor for research, will greatly benefit this organization, and I am deeply honored to contribute.

In addition to her professional commitments, Janelle dedicates her time to volunteering for OWHO and is the proprietor of National Treasure Wild Horse Rescue, a facility that provides a permanent sanctuary for 6 formerly wild horses and 2 burros. Janelle has been an advocate for wild horses for 18 years.

Janelle is an alumna of Oregon State University, having graduated with a BS Degree in Sociology in 1996, including coursework in Environmental Sociology and a Certificate in Women's Studies.

Mandi Forbes

Secretary

The scope of responsibilities encompasses the meticulous recording of minutes during board meetings, as well as the coordination of meetings, events, and legislative outreach. Additionally, the role involves editing public release statements and documents, offering support to other board members with their agendas, as well as managing general office tasks, including mail handling, printing, copying, scanning, and preparation of mailings, and overseeing filing duties.

Michael E. Hogsett

Treasurer

Michael Hogsett has an impressive background. He worked as a restaurant manager to put himself through 4 years of college, where he was responsible for payroll. He now serves as the treasurer for OWHO.

He attended Utah State University and majored in military science with a minor in parks and recreation. Michael has also been actively involved in local politics, serving as a planning commissioner and on the town council. Currently, he is on the planning commission for his town and is involved in activities to support the local and county law enforcement agencies.

Michael is a retired member of the military, having served in the Army for 20 years; during which, he was a crew chief on howitzers, a driver, and a member of a special weapons team. Additionally, he has experience in security, having worked at the Olympics and for the National Park Service. Following his military career, Michael was a construction superintendent, overseeing the construction of multi-million dollar homes in the Las Vegas area.

Travis Magruder

Travis is our California Field Director. He personally goes to the field or instructs others who are on the ground in California to document the wild horses and burros and their habitat. Travis also serves as a liaison between OWHO and the National Treasure Wild Mustang and Burro Sanctuary. His duties include assisting in the development of coalition partners.