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 βprovide 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
Certified Facilitator | Doctorate Business Administration | Military Veteran
Dr. Kathy Roth is a certified Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL) practitioner (HERD Institute), as well as a certified change management professional. She is 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. McGhee – 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 / Treasurer
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.
Linda Dennehy – Director
Linda was born in NY, NY, moved to Charlotte, NC as a 4 year old and grew up in NC. Retired in Southport. She worked in institutional sales and trading for several banks and brokerage firms, the last being Stonex, in their start-up municipal bond department. Linda is a licensed Series 7 and 63 securities professional.
Her life passion has been with horses starting at a very young age and has remained throughout her entire life. Linda taught riding in college to children, and was connected to 4H through Porters Riding School. She earned a BA degree in Biology at UNC Charlotte. She also showed horses in saddle seat for many years – later switched to dressage and trail riding. βMy passion has taken me so many places and taught me so many life lessons. Being an equestrian is largely about the connection between humans and horses.β One of Lindaβs goals is to learn from horses using her skills showing, teaching and training, and being with horses and equestrians as she has for fifty years. Lindaβs is looking forward to this new venture in equine-assisted services so she can learn more about how it helps both horses and humans.
Linda is the βKahuβ (Hawaiian for Guardian) of Mr. Opie and Mr. Nappy. Both of these horses are incorporated into ALC veteran programs.
Gay Murga – Director
Since the loss of her son, Army Capt. Austin Murga, on September 7, 2020, due to military PTSD suicide, Gay has dedicated herself to the mission of Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness as a dedicated volunteer, guest speaker, and advocate with a proven track record in community engagement, fundraising, and team coordination. As Ambassador of Austinβs Army and Gold Star Mother, she has initiated and obtained multiple interviews with various publications, radio stations, podcasts, State and Federal congressmen, and community organizations, discussing the National Security Crisis of Military PTSD Suicide and solutions. Gay holds a B.S. Accountancy, Auburn University; CPA, (licensed in State of Texas from 1983-1994); received the Department of The Army Public Service Commendation Medal; and completed training in the VAβs Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Course.
With a passion for the ALC mission and a knack for fostering partnerships, Gay is eager to leverage her skills to make an impact At Liberty Connections. Her experiences working with the public and local organizations makes her a good fit for our outreach efforts. Those experiences include working with OPERATION AT EASE/Greeter/St. James, NC (2017 β Current) where she communicates with the military families prior to, during, and after their complimentary weekend vacation at St. James Plantation. She coordinates with the other assigned volunteers to set up meals, a photography session, and boat outings and greets the military family and escort them to their assigned condo, providing instruction, rules, and assistance as needed.
Gay is also active with StopSoldierSuicide.Org 501(c)3 as an Ambassador. She is the Co-Coordinator of The Annual Capt. Austin Murga Memorial Golf Tournament and Silent Auction / Fundraiser. Gay has successfully raised funds of over $5million indirectly and $350,000 directly.
Along with her husband, she is a key speaker for a National Commercial aired over 2 years by Fox Sports during National Football League games, Major League Baseball games, National Basketball Association games, as well as during college football and basketball games. Gay also serves as Guest Speaker and co-coordinator of a presentation/workshop given to over 4,500 soldiers during a 3month period at Ft. Bragg, NC, about suicide ideation, leadership, purpose, and resources.
Paula Kallay – Director
Horse Enthusiast | Military Family | Event Coordinator | Fundraising
Growing up in a military family at Fort Bragg, NC has given me a unique insight into the world of those who served in the military β during their time in service and afterward. My father and 2 uncles served in the Army. My father served for 20 years, mostly with Army Special Forces. During the time he was home, some of my best childhood memories are of the support he gave to my interest in horses.
Beginning at the age of 6, I started riding. I have spent most of my life since that time riding. I started with hunters, competed on and off for 40 years in North Carolina and Virginia, culminating in qualifying for the Washington International Horse Show in Washington, DC. After an injury I switched disciplines and am currently showing in reining and western ranch riding.
While not riding, I married and had a son. My sonβs interest in soccer led to my serving on the Board of two soccer clubs where I led successful fund raising / event planning efforts. My interest in service to my local community led me to volunteer at a Therapeutic Riding Program. My interest in service to the country led me to work as Finance Director for two political campaigns and later at a Board of Elections in Virginia. With the passage of time, my interest in my family led to my support for my father who had developed Alzheimerβs dementia. After his passing, I continued to volunteer with the American Legion where we had worked together. Currently, as horses remain in my blood, I continue to ride and am volunteering at a Wild Horse farm in Holden Beach.
I look forward to working with At Liberty Connections and combing my utmost respect for the military, a passion for horses, and interest in fundraising and event planning.