CORRIE LORENZI - Vice-President of the Board

After falling in love with the Appalachian Mountains, Corrie moved to Murphy in 2017. She was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she raised a family and built and managed a very successful family construction business, South Florida Masonry Inc. Since she was a child, Corrie had a natural connection and love for animals and wildlife. For the past 20 years Corrie has owned and rescued horses. Corrie is not only a board member, but a very active volunteer of the program. She brings her business knowledge and love of animals to the program to help it grow and prosper. 

LAURA DOWNING - Secretary of the Board

Laura was born and raised in Kentucky. After graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Buisness Administration she moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina. She became a police officer in 1988 and rose through the ranks to become a Major of the sixth largest department in NC. She retired in 2018 with over 30 years of service. Along with traditional police duties, Laura worked closely in the administrative areas to include budget, payroll, planning, grant management and accreditation. Laura also served as a Special Olympics coordinator for the NC Special Olympics Torch Run and volunteered numerous events at the local and state level. Laura and her husband relocated to Murphy in 2023. She began volunteering at High Lonesome Therapeutic Equestrian Center in June of 2023 because of her love of horses and service to others. While never fortunate enough to own her own horses, she has enjoyed trail riding for several years, most recently at horse ranches in Montana and Wyoming. She loves traveling and all outdoor activities. Laura joins the board in 2024 and is excited to be part of the program that has a meaningful impact on the community.  

LAUREN DILTS, RN, BSN, CTRI, ESMHL - Executive Director

Lauren is a Registered Nurse with pediatric, in-patient rehab, emergency, and critical care experience. She grew up riding hunter/jumper and dressage and competing at local shows. Lauren discovered therapeutic riding in 2017 while living in Colorado. In 2019 Lauren moved to Cherokee County. She started training and preparing to open Cherokee County's first therapeutic riding facility. Lauren is certified through PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) as Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning.

KIM JOHNSON - TREASURER

Kim Johnson is a native of Murphy and the Peachtree community. She started her career in banking in 1994 as a teller, soon after graduating high school, and has worked her up way to become the Financial Sales Manager and Assistant Vice President of First Citizens Bank in Murphy. Kim currently serves as a Board Member with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and North Carolina Community Foundation and has served on several others in the past. Kim is married and has two daughters, one of which is a client of High Lonesome Therapeutic Equestrian Center.