|
|
| |
|
The People of
Cowboys for Kids |
|
 |
|
 |
Pete Relyea,
President and
Founder
PeteRelyea@Cowboys4Kids.com
Pete Relyea has been a business owner and entrepreneur since
1969 after serving as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam. Pete is known
coast-to-coast as the “businessman’s cowboy.” He was a rodeo
contestant and participant from 1970 through 1996. His events
were bareback riding and team-roping. Pete founded and has
operated Cowboys for Kids since 2001. Pete’s personal passion in
forming Cowboys for Kids is the success he has observed over the
years with equine therapy in treating challenged children and
adults. With the acquisition of the T-Bone Ranch, Pete feels
that the “sky is the limit” for Cowboys for Kids.
|
|
|
|
|
Pete Hannon,
Mountain States Regional Director
PeteHannon@Cowboys4Kids.com
Pete Hannon has a
lifelong passion for horses and the Western Lifestyle. He is the
Western heritage historian for Cowboys for Kids. Pete has worked
as both a volunteer and in a paid position in therapeutic riding
programs in the Colorado area for many years. Pete has given of
his time and energy in the ideals of Cowboys for Kids since its
inception. |
|
|
|
 |
Melinda Liverant
A business owner of a successful feed store located
outside of Denver, in the foothills of Colorado. She has been
in the equine industry all her life, with an extensive knowledge
of horses, equine nutrition, training and breeding. When she
was in her early teens she volunteered at a therapeutic riding
program her desire to help kids and horses has continued since
her teens, helping educate kids with their horses through
seminars given at her feed store. However, her strong desire to
be involved with a nonprofit organization that would help kids
with horses continued to burn inside her. Upon being introduced
to Cowboys for Kids, and going to the T-bone ranch, she knew she
had met her match. Melinda has experienced all aspects of
riding, from show jumping, barrel racing, team penning, reining,
cutting, and ranch versatility. Melinda is currently
competing in the world of cowboy mounted shooting and the
promotion of this fast growing equine event. Melinda's current
passion is working with the children and horses of Cowboys for
Kids.
|
|
|
|
 |
Alena Leeds
Alena Leeds holds a PhD in Engineering Systems and is currently
manager of operations for a nationwide scientific data gathering
network. She was a dedicated practitioner and teacher of
martial arts for twenty five years, and holds varying degrees of
black belts in Shotokan karate, Kendo and Iai-do. In addition,
Alena has experience as an educator, having taught math and
science to grades 7-12 at an exclusive Denver private school.
During her years in education and the martial arts, Alena
learned that she not only had a gift for teaching, but that she
loved to mentor and encourage those for whom these endeavors
were difficult. Alena recently adopted two teen age girls and
had been told by social service professionals that lots of
chores and hard work were the best hope for building character
and empowering self esteem in these kinds of kids.
But, upon observing first hand the power of the horse/human
interaction to facilitate healing in her own daughters, she
realized what an important contribution a ranch life style could
make to others struggling with issues that hamper their
success. When Alena met Pete and heard his vision for Cowboys
for Kids; to utilize the great Western heritage of the cowboy
lifestyle as a means to build character in children and to
impart hope and healing to wounded spirits of all ages, she knew
immediately that this would be the perfect marriage of her
ambitions and experience with an organization committed to the
same goals. She has joined Cowboys for Kids as Director of
Operational Planning and Program Development.
|
|
|
|
 |
Nicole Sweetin
Nicole resides in Las Vegas, Nevada but was born and raised
in Southwest Oklahoma. She has a BS degree in Agricultural
Communications from Oklahoma State University with a MS in
Geosciences/Meteorology from Mississippi State University.
Nicole spent 7 years in the TV business as a Meteorologist in
Texas before moving to Las Vegas. Nicole began working at Sam’s
Town Hotel and Gambling Hall as a Casino Host in 2003 where she
spent several years representing Boyd Gaming in the Gold Card
Room during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Nicole also
represented Boyd Gaming at the Old Fort Days Rodeo in Fort
Smith, Arkansas where she worked hand in hand with the Old Fort
Days Rodeo committee. Nicole currently works for the Sands Expo
& Convention Center/Venetian Resort & Casino as an Event Service
Manager and enjoys helping out with Cowboys 4 Kids whenever she
can.
|
|
|
|
 |
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp has been portraying his famous relative in a
one-man play called WYATT EARP: A LIFE ON THE FRONTIER since
1996. It was written by his wife, Terry Earp who is an
award-winning Arizona Playwright. The play has been
performed all over the Southwest as well as in Scotland,
Ireland, England, and Alaska and aboard cruise ships. In
November of 2000 Wyatt performed for the American Studies
Program at the University in Budapest, Hungary which was
attended by the Cultural Attache'. In 1998, he began
performing another one-man play THE GENTLEMAN DOC HOLLIDAY
which is based on "Doc Holliday: A Family portrait" by Karen
Holliday Tanner.
Wyatt is retired from the New York Life Insurance Company
where he worked as an agent for over 35 years. He is also a
charter member of ARIZONA GUNFIGHTERS, historical
reenactment troupe and Park Central Toastmasters since 1980.
His athletic endeavors include the completion of two
Hawaiian Ironman triathlons, numerous marathons, 10k's and
long distance swim events including the ESCAPE FROM
ALCATRAZ.
Wyatt serves on the Phoenix Downtown YMCA Board of
Directors as well as coaches the Y's Master's swim program.
In addition, he is the race director for the YMCA
Half-Marathon which is The oldest foot race in Arizona.
He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to Arizona
in 1998. He currently resides in Phoenix with his wife,
Terry and their two cats; Doc Holliday and Cowboy.
|
|
|
|
 |
June Uhlig
June Uhlig has been an art and
photography teacher at a private school in Las Vegas for the
past 11 years, having previously lived and taught in
Arizona, Michigan and Nebraska. She grew up outside of
Denver and has had a life long love for horses and cowboy
life. After moving to southeastern Arizona in 1986, she
began drawing images from her dreams. Her work depicted
small town rodeo activities and western history. She spent
several years doing art shows and competitions and was
active in the local community art organizations of Sierra
Vista and Tombstone. Since moving to Las Vegas, June
concentrates on teaching her gift and communicating her love
for drawing and the arts. She is also a Stage 3 melanoma
survivor and after having overcome many challenges, has
become a serious runner and biker, participating in events
such as the MS 150 Bike Tour and the Las Vegas Marathon to
help raise money for various causes.
Since meeting Pete in 2007, June has become the Las Vegas
volunteer coordinator for Cowboys for Kids. She provides
invaluable assistance with booths during the National Finals
Rodeo and continues to donate some of her inspirational
artwork, insightful portrayals of children interacting with
horses, to assist in Cowboys for Kids fundraising
activities.
|
|
|
| |
|
