Our Staff
Our staff is committed to doing whatever it takes to care for the hundreds of horses, donkeys, mules, and other animals that come through our gates.
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Ashley has been with Horse Haven of Tennessee for over a decade. She started as a volunteer and realized this organization is where she is called to be. HHT is a place of healing and building trust among the people and the horses. Her passion grew each time her boots hit the ground. Our organization was built on a solid foundation and she is honored to serve as the Executive Director and to continue her passion for HHT!
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Madison Whiddon - Equine Manager
Coming soon!
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Kelly Hargett - Office Manager
Coming soon!
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Lori has been married to her husband Craig for 32 years. They currently share their home in Knoxville with two dogs! She retired in April of 2021 after 32 years with State Farm, transferring with them several times and working in claims the entire time. She has always loved animals and previously owned a mini-farm in NC with horses, goats, dogs, cats, and chickens. She loves to read, hike, bike, and kick-box. She also occasionally joins her husband for a round of golf. Volunteering at Horse Haven has been a great pleasure and she’s excited to become more involved in the organization by taking on the responsibility of Volunteer Coordinator.
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Michael Whiddon - Facility Manager
Michael came on staff in January as our facility manager. Being a jack-of-all-trades, he handles all of our mowing, weed eating, fencing, and anything else we throw at him. His love of building things led him to owning his own power tools by the age of nine. He started volunteering three years ago and has proven himself as a reliable and hardworking young man. The volunteers know he loves food! When the position opened up, we knew he was the perfect candidate for the job. Michael is a senior at Oliver Springs High School and plays on the baseball and football team.
Our Board
Our board represents a cross-section of our community and has a passion for our organization and those we serve. The members work hard to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization and oversee that the funds raised directly affect those in need.
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Kathryn Haaquist - President
Kathryn joined Horse Haven as a shift volunteer in 2017. She later became a team lead and was involved in many of Horse Haven's special teams. After having a child in early 2022, she decided to step back from volunteering on shift and was accepted as a board member.
Outside of Horse Haven, she is a former registered nurse turned attorney, and is an associate in a civil litigation practice in Knoxville. When she is not at work or volunteering, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their many rescued pets.
Kathryn's passion for this organization cannot be overstated, and she looks forward to helping guide Horse Haven to continue to grow towards its mission.
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Dr. Meggan Graves - Vice President
Dr. Meggan Graves grew up riding Hunter Jumper horses and showing Suffolk sheep with 4-H in Cookeville, Tennessee. Upon graduation from veterinary school from the University of Tennessee in 2001, Dr. Graves went into large animal practice where she served clients in coastal South Carolina, Georgia, and later West Tennessee. She opened her own private practice in western North Carolina in 2008, providing emergency relief services for seven large animal practices in the area. She then joined the Field Services team at the University of Tennessee in the fall of 2013. Dr. Graves offers emergency relief services for large animal practitioners in the Knoxville area, while teaching and mentoring veterinary students and interns. She lives in Blount County with her husband and four sons, as well as her donkeys, mules, goats, chickens and dog.
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Nina Margetson - Treasurer
Horses have been Nina's passion since the tender age of five, but it wasn't until the formation of HHT that she understood the direction God wanted her to go. It wasn't to just own her own horse some day, it was to be an advocate for and become their voice. She formed HHT in 1999 when she realized no one was taking equine welfare issues seriously in Tennessee. Along with being the founder of Horse Haven of Tennessee she served as Executive Director before leaving in 2016 for a short hiatus. She returned to HHT in December 2020 and has served in the capacity of Interim Director and Associate Director alongside HHT current Executive Director. She is thrilled to be invited to the Board and feels she has a lot of direction and insight that will help HHT in the future. As they near their 25th anniversary her hopes are to see them be able to find their own facility that they can finally call home. Nina is married to her soulmate of 48 years and they have called South Knoxville home for 44 years. They have two daughters and 5 grandchildren. Her long time equine companion Paco passed in 2022 at the age of 35 but his pasture friend Crackers is still hanging out causing mischief.
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Rebecca Moses - Secretary
Coming Soon!
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Mike Cox
Michael E. Cox, born in 1964, graduated from the University of the South in 1987, receiving his BA in Economics. Mike is President/Chief Compliance Officer of CW Securities, LLC a Registered Investment Advisor and Broker Dealer Firm. Mike is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a licensed insurance agent and hold a Series 24, Series 51, Series 66, and Series 7 licenses. He began his investment career working with Capital Analysts Incorporated from June 1990 through April 1992. From May 1992 through April 1996, he worked with Equity Services Inc. He was then registered with LandOak Securities, LLC from April 1996 until forming CW Securities, LLC in 2000. He served on the board of The Episcopal School of Knoxville from 2005 to 2011. He served on the Finance committee all six years and was treasurer the final year.
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Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter grew up in Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee, and graduated from Karns High School. He attended The University of Tennessee Knoxville where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Jimmy attended Lincoln Memorial Duncan School of Law and graduated in May 2013 as part of the inaugural class. Upon graduation he was awarded the President Abraham Lincoln Pro Bono Award. Jimmy lives in Knoxville with his wife, Kristi, and their two sons, Gavin and Grayson. Jimmy enjoys attending UT football and basketball games with his family and spending time outside with his sons at his parent's farm.
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Kim Dickey
Kim has a wonderful husband and they have two children. Kim is Co-Owner with her husband & Director of Operations at PRO TOY Auto Repair Facility, located on Pellissippi Parkway between Lovell Road & Hardin Valley on Braden Dickey Lane.
She has served on the HHT volunteer team many years ago and competed in the 2014 Dancing for the Horses competition. Her love for horses remains and she is blessed to own her very own small farm which includes horses, dogs and cats.
Kim feels honored to be a part of Horse Haven of Tennessee and their mission to help abused equine.
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Kristen Portuesi
City girl now living in the country, Kristen never thought she would enjoy life in a barn this much. Kristen joined Horse Haven in 2018 and soon later became shift lead, a member of the facilities team, and a performer in Dancing for the Horses.
When not at the barn, Kristen is a client services assistant at Mountain Commerce Bank in the day & fuels her passion of music, singing with The Deltas Band at night. She also enjoys photography, spending time outdoors & in her garden.
No longer on shift, Kristen is so grateful for the opportunity to continue to be a small hand in this great organization.