Board of Directors Archives

Windrush Farm Welcome Andover Resident on Board of Directors

06.24.14

Amanda Hogan, Executive Director of Windrush Farm announces Andover Resident, Lucy Vaill as a new director of the board of director.

Vaill, a Child Life Specialist by education and a horse enthusiast by avocation, lives with her husband Tim in Andover. Her affiliation with Windrush Farm began in the early 1980’s as a program volunteer. She fell in love with the program and remained in close contact with the organization throughout the years cumulating with her joining the board of directors in 2014.

Lucy is a horse owner in her own right, and trains for Dressage riding a Brazilian-bred Lusitano under the tutelage of Victor Silva.

She was the Board Chair for the Family Cooperative Pre-School in North Andover, was a co-owner of Goldsleeves Boutique, Ltd., a women’s clothing and accessories company, and a volunteer for the “Good Start” program administered by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

“Lucy’s experience in the Windrush Farm program and her knowledge of horses make her an incredible asset to the board,” says Mandy Hogan, Executive Director. “We’re thrilled to have her join us.”

A Letter From The Board President

06.06.14

As I started to write this, the question occurred to me: how many organizations like ours make it to age 50? I don’t have a precise answer but my best guess is: not many. There are many reasons for this but two stand out: continued dedication to the population served and disciplined execution.

Windrush has a long and honored legacy of doing a great job in both categories. Our core services remain very similar to the original concept yet the populations served and the needs addressed are often remarkably different. Our strategy has evolved as the organization has grown, the market changed and new opportunities open. This is the way it should be. Disciplined execution means an outstanding safety record, high-quality services and an efficient operation. Windrush should be proud of its record in each of these areas.

Welcome Bob!

03.06.14

Amanda Hogan, Executive Director of Windrush Farm announces Boxford Resident, Robert Gore, as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors. Gore was appointed to the position, which carries a two-year term, in October, during the annual Board meeting, which took place in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He previously served a three-year term as Vice President on the Windrush Farm Board.

Until the merger of Towers Perrin with Watson Wyatt in 2010, Bob had been the Managing Partner of the Boston office of Towers Perrin where he led over 350 professionals to become one of the firm’s most profitable offices worldwide. There he was able to focus Towers Perrin’s expertise in compensation, employee research, and change management to help clients become more productive and competitive through smart decisions on their use of human capital. During Bob’s thirty-year career with Towers Perrin, he has developed strong skills in building relationships at the highest levels of companies by understanding their business and then applying his sophisticated understanding of the changing world of executive compensation, recruitment, and retention.

In Loving Memory of Paul Spiers

09.24.13

To all our volunteers, clients, and friends, we are very sorry to tell you of the peaceful passing of our friend Dr. Paul Spiers on Wednesday, September 11th.

Paul was an avid supporter of Windrush and served as President of the Board of Directors from 2006 until present and co-chaired the annual “Dances with Horse” gala fundraiser for the past 15 years. He was also elected to the board of PATH, Intl. in 2001 and served as President for the 2006 and 2007 term.

Paul was a Forensic Neuropsychologist who is an Assistant Professor of Behavioral Neurosciences at Boston University School of Medicine and was involved in research at MIT.

His Windrush family will miss his devotion to our clients, his shared passion for the horses that serve them and his sense of humor that helped lighten us all.

You can read his obituary here. Paul, we will miss you dearly.

Windrush teams rock the ECTAthlon!

06.03.13

Windrush Farm was pleased to be part of the 3rd Annual ECTAthlon on Saturday, June 1 as part of a fundraiser for the Essex County Trail Association (ECTA). ECTA exists to protect access to the trails and open lands throughout Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich, Topsfield, Essex and West Newbury.

For the ECTAthlon, teams of 4 will start in Bradley Palmer with a 3.5 mile trail run, followed by a 3.8 mile mountain bike ride, a 4 mile horseback ride and ending with a 4.4 mile kayak race down the Ipswich River. The ECTAthlon is a unique way to bring together the diverse users of the trail system in a fun and exciting way, and to highlight the incredible network of trails in our area.

Windrush participated by bringing 2 teams, The Windrush Farm Warriors and the Windrush Fighters consisting of Windrush clients Briana and Alyssa doing the riding leg of the event and friends taking on the kayaking, running, and biking portions. The WIndrush Farm board of directors also brought a team, the Road Apple Corps which included Topsfield resident, Ben Nutter and Essex resident Michele Meyer.

“It was a great day,” says Program Director, Jenna Nowosacki. “I am so proud of our riders. They did an amazing job and participated in a race they’ll always remember.”

The teams finished the race and attended the celebration in Ipswich center. The two Windrush clients were presented an award for their participation in the event. It was a great day. Thanks to ECTA for putting on a fabulous event.

Windrush Board Member appearing in panel in ECCF’s Institute for Trustees

02.05.13

A huge shout out to Windrush Farm Board Member, Ben Nutter of Benjamin Nutter Architects, LLC for participating in this year’s Essex County Community Foundation’s Institute for Trustees. Ben will be part of the panel in the master class entitled, Facilities Management: How to Plan for Facilities you can Afford. Since many nonprofits own property while others struggle with the decision of whether or not to buy. The class will examine the board’s role in the management of existing properties and the process needed to make sound decisions on future ownership including property repurposing, capital assessment, zoning and financing. The Master Class includes discussions with experts in property and facility planning, management, acquisition, and building. Ben and his expertise will be a great addition to the class. Congrats, Ben! You’re a super star. Windrush Farm is lucky to have you 🙂