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 retired U.S. Army veteran with over 25 years of service. During this time, Kathy made personal sacrifices and served with honor. After retiring from the military, Kathy had a transformative experience that changed their life.
In 2017-2018, Kathy was experiencing depression and anxiety when they were invited to participate in an equine assisted experience at Ladd Farm in Bridgewater, NH. It was there that Kathy interacted with a 1200-pound horse and learned about themselves in a way they never had before. This experience was a turning point for Kathy, and it inspired her to pursue new opportunities and challenges.
Brenda Ladd – Vice President
Farm Owner & Equine Advocate | Natural Horsemanship Parelli Trained | Neuroscience
When I had the incredible opportunity to create Ladd Farm as a place for Natural Horsemanship Clinics, I made the conscious decision to take the best feel from my years of attending clinics. What did I like at that barn? That arena? How were the stalls set up? Where did the horses get turned out? Where would I stay? What about meals?
I wanted to create a place that was comfortable for the horses and the people. A place that flowed naturally when you came in. A place where I could bring Natural Horsemanship instructors who inspired me like Martin Black, Dave Ellis, David Lichman, Karen Rolf, Kelly Sigler Patterson. As a right brain introvert, I found it was really hard to get myself out the door to study. I had to decide I was going to do it no matter how hard it was. When I began studying Parelli Natural Horsemanship I wanted to ride with the best that was available to me, even if that meant seeking them out. I went to Parelli in Pagosa Springs, Colorado a total of 20 weeks. They have cabins that are super rustic. No electric, no water. Four beds, and three of your new best friends.
I had to have my plan for the whole day, because once I left the cabin in the morning I didn’t come back again until evening. After several Colorado experiences, I continued searching for instructors. I found most clinics involved going to the barn and dropping my horse off. And of course I would worry about leaving him in a new strange place. Then inevitably I would have to drop my trailer off at a different location. Next I’d drive somewhere to a motel. And then drive somewhere else to get dinner. Oh and turnout. It usually meant there was none, or you took your chances putting your horse in with an existing herd. This was all very stressful. And I quickly realized that for me this was not a very good learning environment—it was not setting me up for success. I wanted a place that did everything it could to allow for a great learning experience. A place to create a community of super learners. I hope you agree with me that Ladd Farm is that place.
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.