MEET THE TEAM

A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a blue plaid shirt standing next to a brown horse with a white stripe on its face.

Laura Luginbill

Founder/Executive Director

A young woman with long hair holding a lead rope standing next to a brown horse with a black mane, beside a red carriage wheel with green trees in the background.

Amanda Sizemore

Program Director/PATH International Certified Instructor

Katie Clymer

Development Director

A woman smiling and holding the reins of a brown horse with a white stripe on its face, outdoors in a green park.

Olivia Westhoven

Volunteer Coordinator/Instructor

A person standing next to a large brown horse near a forested area.

Annaliese Rowan

Barn Manager

Meet the Herd Here!

BOARD MEMBERS

Shelly Brough, President

Shelly Brough graduated from Rhodes State College in 2003 with her Associate degree in Nursing. She then completed her Masters in Nursing Science from Xavier University in 2013. Shelly has held several healthcare leadership positions over her career including Administrator for Bridge Home Health and Hospice and Regional Director of Hospice Operations for Interim Healthcare. Currently she serves as the Office Manager for Pandora Grain and Supply Inc. Shelly has served on CCEC board of directors since 2015 and is currently the acting board president. Shelly and her husband Eric currently live in Ottawa, Ohio and have 3 daughters. In her spare time she enjoys golfing and spending time with her friends and family at the lake.

Kyle Frias, Vice President

Kyle Frias is the County Veterans Service Officer for Putnam County, Ohio, serving veterans and their families by connecting them with the benefits and resources they have earned.

He is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in cybersecurity operations and managed critical computer network systems. He previously spent over 12 years with the Hancock County Veterans Service Office, focusing on expanding services and improving veteran outreach.

Kyle is active in community leadership throughout Northwest Ohio, including current service as Vice President of Challenged Champions Equestrian Center and prior board service with Flag City Honor Flight and Awakening Minds Art. He has also participated in the Hancock County Leadership program. He lives in Findlay, Ohio with his wife, Lindsay, and their three children.

Kendra VonLehmden, Secretary

Kendra Von Lehmden has been involved with Challenged Champions Equestrian Center since 2013. Currently serving on the Board of Directors, she previously held the position of Volunteer Coordinator for 5 years, and enjoys volunteering in class when her schedule allows. 

Kendra is employed by Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. as a Key Accounts Manager, currently supervising a team of 6 outstanding employees!

Since 2010, Kendra has been a 4-H Advisor in Putnam County and also served 11.5 years with the Putnam County Agricultural Society as a Senior Fairboard Member.

Adam Unverferth: Treasurer

Adam Unverferth, CPA, serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Challenged Champions Equestrian Center and is the owner of Unverferth CPA, LLC, where he provides tax, bookkeeping, payroll, and business advisory services.

He is a former owner of The UPS Store in Findlay, Ohio, where he managed all aspects of daily operations including staffing, finances, marketing, and customer service.

Earlier in his career, Adam worked as a Managerial Accountant with Luderman & Konst, Inc. and began in public accounting with E.S. Evans & Company, Inc.

Adam holds a Master of Accountancy from Bowling Green State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Toledo. He became a Certified Public Accountant in Ohio in 2015.

Kathi Amstutz

Kathi Amstutz is a member of the Board of Directors for Challenged Champions Equestrian Center and brings extensive experience in banking, insurance, and financial services leadership.

She currently serves as a Business Development Manager with 1891 Financial Life, where she supports agent training, product education, and client services. Her prior roles include Sales Director with CLC Life Insurance and multiple leadership positions with The Union Bank Company, where she managed branch operations, training programs, and deposit services.

Kathi is active in her community, serving on the Pandora-Gilboa School Board and as Treasurer for both the Putnam County Cancer Assistance Program and Pandora-Gilboa School Boosters.

Kevin Bellman

Bio Coming Soon!

Candace Hendershot

Candace Hendershot is a nurse, educator, and member of the Board of Directors for Challenged Champions Equestrian Center. She is passionate about inclusive learning and believes there are no disabilities—only different abilities.

She teaches Medical Terminology and Wellness at the University of Findlay and serves as faculty in the master’s nursing program at Ashland University. She holds a PhD in Health with an emphasis in School Health, along with a minor in Research and Measurement.

Candace is active in her church and community, including volunteer work with Feed A Child. In her free time, she enjoys walking, line dancing, cooking, and spending time with her family. She and her husband have two grown sons and seven grandchildren.

Gary Krouse

Bio Coming Soon!

Aimee Kuhlman

Aimee Kuhlman serves on the Board of Directors for Challenged Champions Equestrian Center and Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen.

She is the Director of Operational Initiatives at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center, where she has served for more than 25 years. In this role, she oversees multiple programs and services including Mercy Tots Daycare, Starbucks operations, employee events, and the Project SEARCH program, with a focus on leadership, education, and organizational development.

A breast cancer survivor, Aimee is passionate about supporting others facing cancer and leads both a breast cancer and an all-cancer support group.

She holds an MBA from The University of Findlay and is committed to community service, mentorship, and volunteerism. She resides in Leipsic, Ohio, with her husband, Brian.

Austin Wilson

Austin Wilson, CIMA® is Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Hixon Zuercher, where he leads the firm’s investment strategy and asset management team. A graduate of University of Findlay, Austin joined Hixon Zuercher in 2018 and became Partner and CIO in 2026. He serves on the board of Challenged Champions Equestrian Center, the University of Findlay Business Affiliates Scholarship Board, and is a musician at Gateway Church. Austin lives in Findlay with his wife, Jenna, and their three daughters.

Maggie Ruggles

Maggie is the Retail Manager for Dietsch Brothers Chocolates and Ice Cream at the Tiffin Avenue location. With nearly 20 years of experience, she takes pride in creating products and displays that uphold the company’s long-standing reputation for quality and excellence.

Her childhood love of horses led to her involvement with Challenged Champions Equestrian Center, where she currently serves on the Board of Directors.