Heartfelt with HETRA: Thirty-Six
Meet the HETRA Board
When HETRA began in 1989, we started with a single participant, one horse, and three dedicated volunteers. Today, more than 160 weekly participants across Nebraska and Iowa receive life-changing equine-assisted services, a transformation driven by the vision, stewardship, and governance of our Board of Directors.
Every milestone in our history has been guided by board leaders who donate their expertise, time, and heart to ensure our mission thrives. We are proud to introduce the dedicated individuals on the HETRA Board of Directors and celebrate the leadership that moves us forward, one stride at a time.
Steve Henthorn, President
Retired Detective, Omaha Police
Steve's hobbies and interests center around woodworking and a lifelong passion for horses.
While serving as a detective investigating child abuse and neglect cases, Steve recognized that children with disabilities were disproportionately affected, inspiring him and his wife, Janet, to co-found HETRA in 1989.
"I had read about how equine-assisted therapy could help individuals both physically and mentally, but when I looked around, there were no programs in our area, so we decided to start one. About a year later, Edye joined us, and the rest is history."
Grant Janke, Vice President
Assistant Vice President Finance, Union Pacific
Grant is an avid golfer and a passionate fan of Kansas State sports.
"When my son began participating at HETRA, I saw a meaningful opportunity to step up and give back to an organization that has tremendously benefited our family."
As the parent of a HETRA participant, Grant's commitment to our organization comes directly from the heart.
Darren Osten, Treasurer
Partner, Audit and Reimbursement, Eide Bailly
Darren enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, which often includes shuttling his daughter Ella to and from the HETRA barn.
His connection to our mission is deeply personal. His daughter began riding at HETRA at a young age through our Adaptive Riding program, where she fell in love with horses and continues to volunteer today.
"We could see the immediate benefits HETRA provided her, both in her core strength and her confidence. She fell in love with horses right away, and our family has been supporting that passion ever since."
Lisa Schiele, Secretary
Business Development + Marketing Manager, Lueder Construction
Lisa loves puzzles, board games, and spending quality time with her family. As an avid Fall enthusiast, she is always ready for crisp weather, changing leaves, and football season to cheer on her Green Bay Packers.
Lisa first discovered HETRA during her Leadership Sarpy program in 2021. Drawn to our unique use of equine movement in therapy, she was inspired by how deeply the mission impacts both our participants and our horses.
"I will always be one of HETRA’s biggest cheerleaders. Not only is the work incredibly valuable for our participants, but it provides a whole new level of purpose for the horses. You can truly tell they love what they do."
Alex Hayes, Board Member
Senior Vice President, Business Resiliency at Mutual of Omaha
Alex Hayes brings nearly 13 years of executive leadership to overseeing enterprise risk, physical security, and operational continuity.
His strategic approach to risk management is grounded in a strong background in public safety, highlighted by his tenure as Chief of Police for the City of Omaha from 2009 to 2012.
Lisa Hobza, Board Member
Family to Family Health Information Project Director, PTI Nebraska
Lisa enjoys spending time with her children, especially watching them participate in the sports and activities they love. As a family, they embrace "lake life," whether that means boating, jet skiing, tubing, fishing, or simply enjoying nature.
Her connection to HETRA began long before she joined our Board, rooted in nearly two decades of firsthand experience as a parent in our arena.
"My daughter has been riding year-round at HETRA for the past 19 years. There are very few activities available for individuals with special healthcare needs throughout their lifetime, which is why I feel it is so important to support HETRA and help our programs grow."
Jennifer Hunter, Board Member
Sr. Claims Examiner - LTD, Lincoln Financial Group
Jennifer enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family.
Like many of our leaders, Jennifer joined the HETRA Board because of the profound impact our programs had on her own family. Her oldest son, Lucas, was a cherished participant at HETRA before his passing, and his weekly sessions were a source of incredible joy.
"It was deeply meaningful to watch him grow in confidence, develop new skills, and experience so much joy through HETRA. Having experienced that transformation in our own lives, I am honored to serve on the Board so other families can find that same encouragement and sense of belonging."
Kristin Kastrup, Board Member
Senior Consultant Training Strategy, Intertek Alchemy
Kristin has loved, ridden, and cared for horses since she was six years old. When she isn't spending time with her husband and Yorkie exploring Nebraska’s state parks, she brings that lifelong passion directly to HETRA as both a Board member and hands-on volunteer. From grooming and tacking horses to sidewalking in sessions and assisting instructors, Kristin is deeply involved in our daily programs.
While she loves working alongside our extraordinary horses, it is the personal connection with our community that drives her involvement.
"Observing the physical and emotional breakthrough moment a participant has while interacting with a horse is truly humbling every single time."
Hannah Patterson, Board Member
Business Insurance Broker, Gallagher
Hannah enjoys cooking, working out, trying new local restaurants, and spending quality time with her family.
When reflecting on her role with HETRA, she shared how our unique equine-assisted approach transformed her perspective on the Greater Omaha nonprofit community.
"The idea of introducing horses into therapy was so foreign to me at first, but through education, I gained a whole new appreciation for the physical and mental gains our participants achieve. Serving on the Board allows me to actively give back and help carry HETRA's mission forward."
Derek Randecker, Board Member
CIO / Market President, Dayspring Bank
Derek loves traveling, catching movies, and playing golf with his family.
Having experienced HETRA’s impact firsthand within his own family, Derek joined our Board with both personal gratitude and a strong vision for the future.
"HETRA has made such a wonderful difference for our family, and it is rewarding to see that same positive shift in the lives of others. I look forward to bringing new perspectives through my background and community connections to help advance HETRA's mission."
Dave Reeble, Board Member
President/Owner, Moving Parts L.L.C.
Dave is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys horseback riding, motorcycle riding, hunting, fishing, and shooting sports.
His long history with HETRA began shortly after moving to the Omaha area in 1991, when a simple newspaper ad led him to lease a horse from our barn.
"That initial introduction to HETRA opened my eyes to their work in improving quality of life for participants, and I was hooked right away."
Chris Richardson, Board Member
SVP of Operations, R&R Realty Group
Chris is a devoted family man, avid traveler, and golf enthusiast.
As a dedicated community leader, he serves on several non-profit boards across the greater Omaha area. When asked why he chooses to lend his leadership to HETRA, his answer comes down to impact.
"HETRA is meaningful to me because I have witnessed the incredible difference they make in the lives of the participants they serve. I stand firmly behind their mission and am truly passionate about their cause."
We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated Board of Directors and their unwavering commitment to HETRA’s mission. Your strategic leadership, advocacy, and passion help make it possible for us to positively shape lives throughout our community. Together, we look forward to continuing to grow our impact, serve our participants, and expand the reach of HETRA’s life-changing programs.
