STRATEGIC DIRECTION
Meet the Board of Directors
At Liberty CONNECTIONS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, is governed by its Board of Directors. Our board creates governing documents, sets policy, and hires and directs executive employees.
Most importantly, our board members have a fiduciary duty of responsibility for our nonprofit assets. To do this effectively, each of our board member were selected because they have a high level of integrity, leadership experience, and a commitment to our mission.
Our mission is to “provide quality equine assisted therapeutic services, within a safe and peaceful environment, which facilitate emotional healing and promote relationship building, for those individuals and their families who have served our Country and our communities. Our program offerings are specifically designed for those who have been affected by trauma or other adverse life events who would like to bring more stability, calmness into their lives. We do this work by providing an opportunity for the horse-human connection.
Dr. Kathy Roth – President
Dr. Kathy Roth is a certified Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL) practitioner (HERD Institute), as well as a retired U.S. Army veteran with more than 25 years of service. During this time, Kathy made personal sacrifices and served with honor. After receiving her honorable discharge from the military, Kathy had a transformative experience that changed their life.
Approximately 15 years after leaving military service, Kathy experienced depression and anxiety related to PTSD. To help her heal, she was invited to participate in an equine assisted opportunity at Ladd Farm in Bridgewater, NH. It was there that Kathy interacted with 1200-pound horses and learned about herself in a way she had never before. This experience was a turning point for Kathy, and it inspired her to pursue new opportunities and challenges.
After much healing and several therapeutic equine experiences, Kathy decided to start the At Liberty CONNECTIONS nonprofit in an effort to help others who have experienced trauma. Providing these services is her passion now!
Phillip E. McGee – Vice President
Chief Financial Officer | Military Leadership | Military Veteran
McGhee served in the US Army for 34 years and retired in 2013. In March 2013, he was appointed by the Secretary of the Army as a Senior Executive Services Tier Two executive and assigned to US Army Forces Command for an additional ten years. During his 44 year career in financial management, he served as the Director, Army Budget; Chief Financial Officer, Forces Command; Director of Resource Management, US Army Central/Third Army; Director of Resource Management, Installation Management Command; Comptroller, United States Army Special Operations Command; Deputy Comptroller, US Special Operations Command; Comptroller, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta; Comptroller, Flight Concepts and Comptroller, United States Army Intelligence and Security Command, Panama. Early in his career, he was an Infantry platoon leader, Heavy Weapons platoon leader and Scout platoon leader.
He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Command and General Staff College, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, Webster University and Columbus State University. He is a Certified Defense Financial Manager-Acquisition Specialist (CDFM-A) and is a DoD Financial Management Certification Level 3.
Some of his military and civil service awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Civilian Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star.
Joyce Nelson – Secretary
Mental Health Provider (LCSW) | Trauma / Crisis Intervention Therapist | Blue Star Mother
Joyce is licensed in North Carolina as a LCSW, and in Maryland as a LCSW-C. She received my masters in SW from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Her mental Health experience includes working in both addiction and mental health programs. For 17 years Joyce worked in the emergency room in the Crisis Intervention Unit at Montgomery General hospital as a crisis therapist conducting psychiatric evaluations.
Joyce was in private practice for many years, and worked with clients from adolescents to seniors, co-leading mental health groups for adolescents and seniors, and addiction groups for adults and adolescents.
Dr. Art “Doc” Liberty – Director
Legal Advisor | Military Leadership | Military Veteran
Dr. Art “Doc” Liberty is both a Navy and Army veteran who served during the Viet Nam War. He is a service-connected disabled veteran with 8 years of active duty service in the U.S. Navy and two years of service with the California Army National Guard. Liberty received a bachelor of science and JD degrees from Excelsior College and Chicago Kent College of Law respectively.
He also earned a graduate degree in Homeland Security Management from the University of Maryland University College. Dr. Liberty also earned a doctorate degree in civil security leadership, management, and policy at New Jersey City University. “Doc” is now retired from federal service following 20 years as a U.S. Administration Law Judge and Judicial Executive (Chief Judge) and five years as a federal prosecutor. He currently serves as the Judge Advocate for the American Legion Post 543 in North Carolina (NC).
Liberty’s professional experience includes working at the University of Maryland University College as an adjunct associate professor of Homeland Security and Emergency Management; teaching for the Healthcare Emergency Management master’s program at Boston University School of Medicine; and working as the assistant managing editor of the Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Prior to attending law school, Liberty was employed as a local and federal law enforcement officer, a critical care nurse and a journalist. Liberty is active with the Southport Fire Department as an Advanced EMT and previously served as a firefighter. Previously he was a patrol volunteer with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. Dr. Liberty is on the boards of several charitable 501(c)(3) organizations in Southeast NC and Northeast SC area. He resides in Bolivia, NC.
Dr. James McCriskin – Director
DO / Cardiologist | Military Veteran | Blue Star Dad
Dr. James McCriskin grew up in South Plainfield, NJ and after graduating from the Virginia Military Institute in 1975, he attended medical school on a USAF Health Professions Scholarship. He completed his Internal Medicine training in Allentown, PA and entered active duty in 1982. Dr. McCriskin completed a cardiology fellowship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in 1988 and served in the USAF till 1990.
He and his family lived in Japan, Texas and Ohio with frequent TDYs to the Philippines while on active duty. Dr. McCriskin practiced invasive and interventional cardiology in Bloomington-Normal, Il for 27 years until retiring to St. James, NC where he worked with Cape Fear Heart Associates for an additional two and half years re-retiring in 2019.
He is a volunteer US Coast Guard Auxiliary Health Services Medical Officer and works 2 days a month in the USCG aeromedical clinic at the USCG Air Station Savannah, GA, He also is the lead for the EKG screening program at the USCG Academy in New London, CT. Dr. McCriskin has held numerous leadership positions both in the military and civilian medical communities. He is member of the American Legion Post 543 in St. James, NC and currently serves as the public relations officer. Dr. McCriskin is married to Nancy his wife of 47 year who is a retired Athletic Trainer. They have one son, Lt. Col (Dr.) Brendan McCriskin who is an orthopedic surgeon at Fort Moore (Benning) and one daughter, Katie, a licensed clinical social worker in CT.
Michael Carton USAF (Ret.) – Treasurer
Training & Manpower Planning | Military Veteran
Michael Carton is a retired United States Air Force Chief Master Sergeant; retiring from the Manpower & Personnel career field in 1995 after serving for 27+years. He ultimately retired from Civil Service in 2015. He also served as the Manpower Career Field Functional Manager and Training Manager.
Carton holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Science in Operational Arts and Sciences from the USAF Air University. He had the honor and privilege of serving as the Air Force Sergeants Association International President in 2009 and again from 2108-2021. He oversaw the organization’s efforts to secure and maintain Quality of Life benefits for enlisted Active Duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Veterans, and their family members.
Carton has served on the Board of Directors of six different veteran focused non-profit charity organizations. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the Richard H. Stewart Jr. Charitable Foundation, and the Finance Officer for American Legion Post 543, St. James NC.