Board of Directors
Meet our board of directors! They exhibit a wide range of talents and experience that are invaluable to PPL. Their generosity and willingness to share their time and experience are great appreciated
Cindy Pullen - Current President/CEO-Personal Ponies, Ltd.Retired after 37 years with Xerox as Regional VP/General Mgr. Lived in 8 states around country while w/ Xerox. Joined PPL in 2008 served in various capacities until being named Pres/CEO in 2015. Earned BS in Psychology at Western Carolina U. at Cullowhee, NC and her MBA at Rollins College in Orlando, FL.
Married in 1970 (still married) and has 2 grown children, one granddaughter. Over 50 years of horse experience, competing in hunter, saddle seat, western, dressage with her home bred Arabians. Bred Arabians for 40 years. Earned her practitioner certifications in Tellington Touch and Connected Riding. Has served in community on Lakeland, GA Chamber of Commerce Board, Children’s Home Society Fl State Board, South GA Military Affairs Council, Lanier County Development Authority, Moody Air Force Base Honorary Commander. Currently also runs PPL National Breeding Center with 25 ponies on the farm.
Gail Schumann - Director of Finance
Gail serves in many capacities for PPL. In addition to serving on our board, she is also our National Director of Finances and Regional Director for the North and New England states. As our fiduciary officer and Finance Director for the organization, she monitors the submission and accuracy of monthly.
expenses, fundraising and state registrations. She coordinates efforts with our bookkeeper and CPA. She is the overall "guardian and counselor" to the organization and in house expert on all questions around expenses, revenues and nonprofit status. She has owned a working farm for over 3 years and is an active pony caretaker. She also works full time as a medical assistant in a nursing home and has multiple degrees and certification in alternative health care.
Dr. Ali Thornhill - Veterinary AdvisorDr. Ali has ministered to pony needs at the Personal Ponies National Breeding Center in Lakeland, GA for over 9 years. In addition to performing the usual vet services, she serves on the PPL board of directors as our veterinary consultant and advisor. She has made herself available for consults to vets working with our ponies all over the nation.
She is helpful in placing our ponies in the community. She and her family serve as caretakers for 2 of our ponies- Alex and Abby. Dr. Ali considers Paducah, KY her hometown. She received her undergraduate degree and played collegiate tennis at Trinity University in San Antonio. She then went to Auburn U for her Veterinary degree and masters in biomedical science. She met her husband-Noah-a small animal vet student while at Auburn. After graduating with 2 degrees, she served her internship in Tryon, NC at a referral clinic for sport horses. She and Noah then married and moved to Valdosta, GA for Noah to take over his family's veterinary practice in small animals. Dr. Ali took over the large animal piece. They have 2 children born in 2011 and 2012. Both children are active with the two PPL ponies they have and are fully involved in bringing up the recent addition of the black and white filly-Blossom. While Ali has ridden and competed most of her life, her occasional riding time now is usually for pleasure. The rest of her busy schedule is filled with her vet practice, her family (dodge ball every afternoon with the kids) and enjoying visits with her family in the Blue Ridge Mtn. And oh yes, she also fits in conditioning for and running the occasional marathon! Dr. Ali is a huge asset in supporting our Personal Ponies programs.
Paul W. HamiltonJoined board May 2018
Paul W. Hamilton is a graduate of the University of North Georgia and the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University. He is the owner of Hamilton Estate Planning, located in Valdosta and Nashville, Georgia.
He is married to Dr. Kathleen Coleman Hamilton and has three children, Henry, Cole, and Bailey. Paul and his family live in Valdosta, Georgia and attend Park Avenue United Methodist Church.
Director and Artistic Director, Hope Garden Children's Ballet Academy
Joined board January 2005
Poolesville, MD
Michael Pullen (Mickey) PhD.Serves on the board as general advisor for operations, maintenance and planning . He is involved on a daily basis with the national breeding farm. He has been involved with horses for over 50 years with his wife raising Arabians and later raising UK Shetlands. Mick got his BA in Math (Arkansas Tech), Masters (University of NC at Greensboro) and PhD (University of Nevada, Reno) in Experimental Psychology with research focus in animal learning.
His teaching experience over 35 years was at Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte North Carolina, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC , University of Nevada, Reno, Chico State University, Chico, CA, Volunteer State Community College, Lebanon, TN, Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL , University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL and State University of New York, Geneseo. His varied experiences with people and equines are valuable resources as a board member serving Personal Ponies.
Lindsey Fender BrogdonLindsey Fender Brogdon has been a STAR Volunteer for Personal Ponies since 2017. She is an experienced horse person who fell in love with our mission and our ponies. Lindsey , along with her family owns and operates Fender Motors in Lakeland, GA. Lindsey graduated from Valdosta State University with a degree in Spanish and teaching. She spent her first few years after college in Mexico teaching English and then traveled and worked in New Zealand and Europe. She decided to settle down, returning to Lakeland where she found Personal Ponies and her future husband, Andy Brogdon. She has added learning the business of big time farming with her husband. We appreciate both Andy and Fender Motors sharing her with us. Her role in PPL is in supporting ongoing operations.
