Our Staff

Douglas R. Newton, Founder/President

Doug founded Rocky Top Therapy Center in 1990, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. Prior business experience includes founding and managing several oil and gas related companies until selling those businesses in 1990. He is a graduate of Colorado State University with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. Doug and his wife, Vivian, have been 40-year residents of Keller and both are very active in supporting the community and other not-for-profit organizations. Doug is a past president of Rotary Club, a board member of the Keller Chamber of Commerce and is a director on the advisory board for the School of Community Services at North Texas University.

Michael S. Hogg, Executive Director

Mike Hogg assumed his position as Executive Director at Rocky Top in August of 2011. After graduating from Central Michigan University in 1983, Mike entered active duty with the US Air Force where he served until 1991, leaving to attend seminary at Lee University. Upon graduating, Mike re-entered active duty as a US Navy Chaplain in 1994 where he completed 3 tours of duty, retiring in 2008 after proudly serving his country for 23 years. Mike most recently served as Executive Director of Snowball Express and is in the dissertation phase of his doctorate degree in Education from the University of San Diego. His proudest achievement is being married to Lara Lee and father to their three children Alex, Erin and Michael.

Brooke Knox, Clinical Director of Education and Counseling Services, MS, LPC-S,

Brooke joined the staff at Rocky Top in February 2011.  She received her Masters degree in Counseling from the University of North Texas and is a Licensed Professional Counselor.  A Navy spouse, Ms. Knox began her career working with military families in Norfolk, VA. Since then Ms. Knox has provided mental health services in Tarrant County for adults, families and children and has provided training to our local military on combat stress and PTSD.

Lisa Harvey, Director of Therapy Services, PATH International Certified Instructor

Lisa, a PATH International Certified Instructor, joined Rocky Top in January 2010 and is responsible for all therapeutic riding and hippotherapy programs, including program development, rider evaluations and scheduling, staffing and competitions. She also has her EFMHA certification and works with the Right TRAIL program. Lisa recently moved to Keller from Southern Oregon where she ran a therapeutic riding program. She attended Southern Oregon University where she studied Psychology/Children’s Disabilities. Her interests include using animals and art as therapy.

Karen Britvich, Director of Special Events

Karen joined Rocky Top in November 2010. Karen is responsible for the planning and execution of Rocky Top's two major annual fundraisers as well as having as having several administrative roles within the organization. She has a background in advertising and has held significant volunteer and leadership roles with her Homeowners Association and local PTA. Karen began her career in the early 1990's in Chicago as a Sales Assistant with Petry Television before moving to ESPN/ABC Sports Customer Marketing and Sales. Karen is originally from Illinois and currently resides in Keller with her husband and daughter.

Colleen Steyn, Office Manager

Colleen manages the administrative functions of RTTC and is the “voice of Rocky Top” who has cheerfully greeted riders, family members and guests since 2001. She has had extensive experience in computer programming, bookkeeping, general office and secretarial responsibilities.

Linda Engle, Director of Volunteer Services

Linda has been the volunteer coordinator at RTTC since 2004 and oversees the training development and activities of over 250 volunteers who donate in excess of 18,000 hours per year. Her experience includes sales and marketing in the banking industry, personnel agency owner and compliance and training officer in the securities industry. Linda attended both Houston Community College and San Jacinto College in Houston, TX.

Brooke Wing, Horse Manager, PATH International Certified Riding Instructor

Brooke joined Rocky Top in 2005 and is responsible for the 55+ therapy horses utilized in its programs. She has been involved with horses for over 30 years, from showing paint horses at a national level and later operating her own training facility. As horse manager, she is in charge of the day to day care of the horses, including shoeing, vaccinations, and schooling, as well as the emergency care and screening of horse donations. Brooke is also a PATH Internatinal Certified Instructor. She attended Texas A&M where she studied Animal Science, and is a past President of AJPHA.

Suzanne Sessums, LPT, PATH International Certified Instructor, AHA Registered Therapist

Suzanne has been a physical therapist with Rocky Top Therapy Center since 2005. She received her physical therapy license in 1999 and also works as a physical therapist in the Fort Worth School District as well as PRN with Wise Community Hospital in Decatur, TX. She is a PATH International Certified Instructor and a registered Level II Hippotherapy Instructor.

Lindy Gerow, Physical Therapy Assistant

Hannah Yterdal, PATH International Advanced Certified Riding Instructor

Michel Willis, Therapeutic Riding Instructor, PATH International Certified Riding Instructor, EAGALA Certified Level 1 and Level II Certifications

Michel has been a part of the Rocky Top staff since 2005. She rode professionally with the All American Cowgirl Chicks for over five years before joining Rocky Top. Michel works with the Right TRAIL program as a horse specialist as well as a therapeutic riding instructor.

Shannon Gibbs,Junior Volunteer Horsemanship Coordinator

Shannon came to Rocky Top as a volunteer in 2005 and was recognized as Rocky Top Therapy Center's “Shining Star” Volunteer in 2008. She has life long experience of working with horses and teaching kids how to ride and care for horses. Her responsibilities at Rocky Top include being a trainer-leader, junior volunteer horsemanship training, and schooling horses.

Jax Gibson, PATH International Certified Riding Instructor

Jax joined Rocky Top in 2011. She taught English Riding for three years at an academy in New Jersey. Prior to that, she was a race track groom and exercise rider for two years at the Meadowlands. Jax has owned and trained horses both in the United States and in her home country England.

Jennifer Steinmetz, Director of Challenge Course & Assistant Instructor EAGALA Certified Level 1

Mrs. Steinmetz is an energetic training and teambuilding professional with nine years and over 8,000 hours of experience creating and delivering unique teambuilding, leadership development and experiential learning programs for students and adults. Jennifer will tell you that she has her dream job; she is passionate about teambuilding and its potential to help people to build on their strengths, improve communications, break down barriers and create an environment where everyone feels connected, accepted and valued. Her twenty-three year career in the telecommunications industry makes her equally comfortable in the boardroom as outside on a challenge course.