Our Staff
The People who Make the Barn Wonderful!
Hannah Acker
Hannah Acker began as a student at the barn, but now she's a certified PATH and CHA IRD instructor. Growing up in a large family has given her a love of children, which combined with her love of horses, makes working at the barn a dream come true.
Shannon Horsley
Shannon Horsley loves The Red Barn so much that she commutes electronically all the way from Mississippi to help us with our database and financial records.
Alexis Braswell
Alexis Braswell graduated from Birmingham-Southern College majoring in religion, with a psychology minor. She loves horses, horses, and working with children as they learn about horses.
Brandi Jordan
Brandi Jordan began as the mom of two volunteers, Austin and Trent. Then, she began volunteering herself. Then, we found out she knew how to drive a tractor so we hired her! She's great with the kids, as well as equipment.
Rebekah McMahen
Rebekah grew up in blustery New York and chased the sun all the way down to Birmingham, Alabama. She serves as Office Manager at The Red Barn, so there's a good chance you'll correspond with her by phone or email! Since joining The Red Barn team she has thoroughly enjoyed learning all about horses and the magnificent benefits they offer.
Joy O'Neal
Joy O'Neal has her Master's Degree in Public Administration and is a certified consultant through the Standards for Excellence for Nonprofits. She's also been certified as a CHA instructor and been trained by OK Corral and Natural Lifemanship. But, it's her years as a barn mom that are most useful.
Grace Butler
Grace Butler's name fits her perfectly! She grew up in Mississippi and California before settling in Alabama. Grace recently earned her Associate's degree in Communications, and that is precisely what she does at the barn- COMMUNICATE. Hint, hint: You should invite her to speak to your group sometime!
Jerry Phillips
Jerry Phillips is a man of few words. Luckily for us, it doesn't take words to keep everything at the barn working! He is the quintessential "grand-daddy" and loves seeing smiles and listening to laughter.
Jason Daggett
What do you call a minister who is a foster parent, can drive a tractor, work with horses, and fix fences? A Red Barn employee!
Connor Samples
Connor Samples never thought he'd be working at a therapeutic equine agency, but knows that he's found his calling in life! Where else could he combine his history degree from Furman, outdoor play, and working with children?
Sylvie Daggett
Sylvie has been riding horses since she was 12 years old, so was a shoe-in for the horse team. She has 2 horses named Cheka and Molly, but, SHHH- she's completely in love with Billy the goat! Sylvie is a PATH certified instructor and loves teaching and kids. She has 4 brothers and a recently adopted sister, so she has a big heart for what we do at the barn.
MaryBeth Vaughn
MaryBeth graduated from Auburn with a degree in Animal Science and a focus in Equine science. She started taking lessons when she was 10 and loves all things horses- from cleaning stalls, to teaching and training, to showing Dressage or Hunt Seat. MB's favorite things are animals, Disney movies, ice cream, and getting to work with kids. She is excited to be working at The Red Barn and is continuing to work towards becoming a PATH certified instructor.
Ellen Davis
Ellen Davis is an Occupational Therapist and PATH certified riding instructor. But, she says that her horses Strawberry and Hank have taught her more than a formal education ever could have!
Bekah Maze
Bekah started at the barn like so many others- as a volunteer! She interned with us over a summer, and then she became a CHA certified riding instructor in 2016. She is also a personal trainer, so she loves teaching riding students proper form with their body and how it communicates with their horse's body.
Jodi Aumann
Jodi came to Birmingham from her hometown, Green Bay, in 2014 with her husband and two daughters. She had been a teacher's aide in special education for 9 years. Having always loved horses and wanting to be involved in EAAT, volunteering at the barn was a perfect fit! She's recently joined the team and we couldn't be happier!
Lily Caradine
Lily Caradine is from Springville, AL. Her parents joke that she grew up on the back of the horse. Lily received various college rodeo, leadership, academic, and superior student scholarships to college. In 2018, she became a PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor. She plans to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology with a minor in American Sign Language.
Ivey Wise
Ivey Wise began her journey at The Red Barn as a volunteer and a summer intern. She now serves as our Student Coordinator as well as a riding instructor. Ivey has such a passion for animals that she graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Animal Sciences. She loves spending her days filled with horses and children and is eager to continue working towards her PATH certification.