Staff Team

Jo Allegro-Smith
Executive Director

Jo Allegro-Smith has dedicated her life’s work to helping others and has consistently advocated for those in need. She has served as a nonprofit executive for more than 25 years, working closely and collaboratively with Boards, constituents, and stakeholders to set strategic direction, achieve financial stability, and increase impact. Jo has held various leadership roles with organizations including the Community Resource Center, YMCA of Delaware, PARC Center for Disabilities and the Cancer Support Community. A longtime Sussex County resident, Jo has cultivated meaningful partnerships with the business community, local and state officials, and community organizations. She holds a MS in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in nonprofit management from Capella University.

Kelly Boyer
Program Director
Kelly Boyer began volunteering with SDTR in 2002 and became a PATH certified instructor in 2004. She chairs SDTR’s Program Committee, serves as Program Director, and handles scheduling of all lessons, including volunteer and horse assignments. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science and Business Management from the University of Delaware and worked for a nonprofit organization training service dogs for individuals with disabilities. Kelly has been involved with horse care, lessons and showing for over 30 years.
Tracey Condon-Kneifl
Administrative Assistant
I am excited to be part of the team at SDTR and you will see me behind my computer helping with our administrative work, including scheduling lessons, writing thank you notes to donors or working on programing for our families. You might also see me when I am leading or sidewalking in a lesson or observing my son ride! I have 2 kids, a son who rides with SDTR and a daughter who does not ride but loves to attend events. Both my kids are medically complex, so I really value what we do here at SDTR and how it affects not only our participants, but also the families. I have a Bachelors in Equine Facilitated Therapeutics and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration. In the past, I worked in a variety of fields from college student housing, to scheduling for a doctor to coordinating and teaching swim lessons to folks of all ages and abilities at the YMCA. I have a huge passion for working with individuals with different abilities and love that I can be at SDTR in so many capacities.
Janice Ferneyhough
Barn Associate

“When you take care of your horse, your horse takes care of you.”
– Chloe Thurlow

Janice grew up with horses and has never really known “life” without them. Her life’s work is to be the best caretaker, rider and partner to the horse that she can. Janice has been an active horseperson for over 55 years riding in local shows as a kid and then IHSA in college at Southern Sem in Buena Vista, Virginia. She opened Pinewood Stables in 2005, a lesson and boarding barn in Milton, Delaware. As owner/operator of Pinewood, Janice does it all – horse care, barn management, teaching lessons, riding, training and showing horses. “I will always take lessons; it is my joy! Every day I study and think about how I can improve, change or do something better.” Janice holds the following degrees: AA from Southern Seminary Jr. College; BA in Communications from Mary Baldwin College, and Associate of Science, Physical Therapist Assistant from Delaware Technical and Community College. Janice looks forward to sharing her knowledge and skills in caring for the SDTR Herd, helping them be their best for their riders.

Keith McDonald
PATH Certified Instructor
Keith most recently served as Director of Human Resources and Training for the nonprofit financial institution, Justice Federal Credit Union, with multiple locations around the country. Prior to his many years in the Human Resources field, he worked with adults with disabilities, overseeing job training and life skills programs. He also worked as a social worker for several years prior to entering the Human Resources field. He is an experienced horseman and has been an active volunteer with SDTR for many years.
Lauren Alegret
PATH Certified Instructor
Lauren first discovered PATH when she began volunteering at a program in San Diego. Instantly hooked, when it came time to move to the east coast 3 years ago, she and her husband made it a priority to find another program in the area. It was not long before Lauren found her place in the SDTR family, volunteering as a sidewalker, leader, providing horse care, managing the monthly horse care volunteer calendar, and writing seasonal newsletters. It was a natural progression that Lauren continued her journey to become a PATH Certified Instructor. Outside of the barn, Lauren works as a copy editor for an advertising agency in San Diego. She feels truly blessed to be following both her callings with all of her heart.
Kelsey Hyneman
PATH Certified Instructor
Hello! My name is Kelsey Hyneman. I have been a lifelong equestrian and always will be! I am a United States Pony Club Alumna and have been part of PATH International for almost 20 years, starting out as a teenage volunteer with one center and becoming a CTRI along the way. I love being a part of a wonderful team of instructors, volunteers and families who are involved at SDTR. One of my many passions is to work with first responders, military veterans and their families. I have four horses, two of whom are in the program. Stewie (All That Spice) and Gulliver (Gulliver’s Travels), two Bureau of Land Management Mustangs, have been at SDTR since May of 2022. Stewie, Gully and I are very healthy and happy at SDTR!

Board of Directors

Kelly Boyer
Program Director
Kelly Boyer began volunteering with SDTR in 2002 and became a PATH certified instructor in 2004. She chairs SDTR’s Program Committee, serves as Program Director, and handles scheduling of all lessons, including volunteer and horse assignments. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science and Business Management from the University of Delaware and worked for a nonprofit organization training service dogs for individuals with disabilities. Kelly has been involved with horse care, lessons and showing for over 30 years.
Mark Davidson
Mark H. Davidson serves as Vice President and Office Director for Pennoni. Mark also serves as the Principal Land Planner. He has over 32-years of experience in Surveying, Engineering, Consulting, Construction and Land Planning. He has been appointed by the Secretary of DNREC to serve on the On Site Septic Advisory Board for the State of Delaware. He currently serves as a Planner and Design Advisor for the Delaware Botanic Gardens. Mark’s additional roles within Pennoni include the Strategic Planning Committee, Founder’s Committee, Strategic Growth and Cross Marketing Committee.
Lori Chaikin
Lori Chaikin has broad experience in education and training in a variety of school and business settings. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in elementary education, she taught in the Montgomery County, Maryland public school system for five years. She then traded the classroom for the floors of Manhattan specialty stores and taught sales and management for Bonwit Teller, Bloomingdales and Conrans in New York, Miami, Bethesda and Beverly Hills CA from 1977 to 1990. She operated a business importing and selling French antique furniture from 1991 through 2009. Most recently she was a Managing Partner of Blue Heron Wellness, an integrated wellness center in Silver Spring MD.
Bryce Lingo
Bryce Lingo has been in the real estate business since graduating from the University of Delaware in 1975, receiving a Bachelor's of Science with an emphasis in Landscape Architecture. With more than 10 years of experience and in excess of $1 billion in real estate transactions over his career, Bryce has successfully navigated through numerous business cycles. Over his career, he has consistently been the top producing real estate agent in the Rehoboth and Dewey Beach area, with a focus on the luxury residential market. In addition, Bryce has handled the sale of many landmark commercial properties along the Route 1 corridor and thousands of acres of land in Sussex County. Bryce has also played a significant role, along with his brother Bill, in the design, permitting, and development of numerous premier residential and commercial projects throughout Sussex County, Delaware. He currently serves as an associate broker and Vice President of Jack Lingo Inc. Realtor. Bryce is a lifelong equestrian and has been a supporter of SDTR for many years.
Laurie Vonasek
Laurie Vonasek has been a Registered Nurse since 1995, served in the U.S. Army at West Point, NY from 2001 to 2005, and obtained her Masters in Nursing from Wesley College, Dover, Delaware. She has over 30 years’ experience with training, riding, and caring for horses. She is an active member of Delaware Equine Council with multiple contacts in the horse industry, a board member of Blue Heron Dog Agility Club of Delaware, and a supporter of STDR since 2009.
Dale Lomas
Dale Lomas is a Delaware native and is the co-owner of both Atlantic Liquors and Old Ice House Liquors in Rehoboth Beach. He also owns the Crosswinds Motel in Rehoboth and has several commercial rental properties in the Rehoboth/Lewes area. Dale is a graduate of the University of Delaware. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Rehoboth Beach/Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years and has volunteered for many local organizations as well. He and his wife Sue have been supporters of SDTR since its inception. Dale and Sue live in Lewes.
Bryn Burke
Bryn Burke has a lifetime of experiences as a medical professional and educator, community service leader, competitive equestrian and equine care giver and most importantly family matriarch. Professionally, Bryn was a pioneer in childbirth services, first ever practicing nurse mid-wife at George Washington University Hospital, leader in managing women's reproductive health care and faculty at Georgetown University School of Nursing. An accomplished equestrian, Bryn owned and trained horses; competed in the National Three-Day Eventing championships and worked for over 20 years in equine therapy. Bryn assisted with the site selection and acquisition of the Milton property now housing SDTR and continues as a volunteer horse leader, side walker, and horse care team member. Bryn’s community and volunteer service includes numerous boards, President and Co-founder roles in faith based, civic, environmental, education, homeowners, and equine therapy organizations. She and her family have been leading advocates in the disability community for more than 40 years.

Executive Committee

Scott Swingle
President
Scott Swingle is Sr. Vice President and Manager of WSFS Bank's Southern Group Business Banking Team, covering Sussex/Kent Counties in Delaware and adjoining Counties in Maryland. Scott has been in the banking field for 35 years in various leadership roles including Commercial and Retail Banking. Scott was recognized as the Small Business Administration/Delaware's "2017 Financial Champion" award winner. Scott has been active with SDTR's financial planning, budgeting, capital campaign and strategic plan activities since 2012. In addition to SDTR, Scott has been active at the Board level in professional and various other community organizations including the Rehoboth Beach/Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, Beachfield Homeowners Association, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board, and Meals on Wheels, Delaware. Scott’s nephew, Jeffrey, is an SDTR participant.
Tom Peet
Vice President
Tom Peet is a recently retired Senior Controls Specialist at NRG Energy, Tom has substantial experience in industrial facility management and maintenance. Tom has continued to support IRPP in a part time contractor role. Tom has very strong connections to business people in our community, many of whom he has recruited to support SDTR, particularly in improving and maintaining SDTR’s riding center. One of Tom's four sons, Joey, is an SDTR participant.
Mary Anne Hoopes, Esq.
Secretary
Mary Anne Hoopes, Esq., is an attorney licensed in Washington, DC. She has over 30 years of experience with the U.S. Department of Justice and other government agencies with an emphasis on employment and administrative law, personnel security and legal ethics. Mary Anne's nephew, Eric, participates in Special Olympics. She lives in Lewes.
Marie Murray
Treasurer
Marie Murray graduated from The American University with a degree in Accounting. After passing the CPA exam, she worked in private industry for 35 years in the DC area. Marie served in many roles including Controller, VP of Finance and CFO. Most of the industries she aligned with were "people-based" - staffing, consulting, and web development. Marie retired from full-time employment in 2021 and is currently working on a part-time basis assisting with internal accounting processes and procedures.
Linda Berdine
Linda Berdine is the former CIO and Director of Information Technologies for the U.S. House of Representatives. Following her service to Congress, Linda founded two IT companies, one of which, G&B Solutions, Inc., was ranked as among the Washington, DC region’s fastest growing companies. Linda has received over 30 awards for her contributions to the Information Technology community, and contributions to the Washington DC area community. She has received several Leadership Awards to include being selected as one of the Top 100 CEOs. Linda received the Citizen of the Year Award, based on her becoming known as a staunch supporter of community and children’s causes. She served as Board Chair for the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health and as Vice- Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), where she works to support the work of Dr. Goodall to engage the next generation in order to make the planet a better place for generations to come. In addition to being a supporter of SDTR since 2016 and serving on the Executive Committee, Linda has been active in local community organizations including The Children’s Beach House, the Lewes Library, and the Greater Lewes Foundation.