Liz is a Co-Founder and the Director of Stirrup Hope.  She serves as Chair and Treasurer on the Board of Directors.  Liz facilitates sessions and manages the day to day activities at the farm.  She is a retired Special Ed teacher with 12 years experience in the public schools. Liz lives in Florence with her husband and has 2 adult children.

Angie is a Co-Founder of and Director of Operations at Stirrup Hope and serves as Vice-Chair and Secretary on the Board. Angie's focus is on the care of the animals and the Special Programs for SH.  She is a retired Respiratory Therapist and resides in Florence with her husband and two adult daughters, one has special needs and is a familiar and helpful face at Stirrup Hope 

Noemi is recently retired from the military after serving for 34 years in the Navy, Navy Reserves, SCARNG and Army Reserves.  On the civilian side, she is Fitness Professional with a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology from USC Columbia.  She has 30 years experience in Fitness Management, Personal Training, Group Fitness and developing exercise programs for people with chronic conditions.  She currently teaches Water Aerobics at McLeod Health and Fitness Center in Florence, SC.  Stirrup Hope's Mission as well as her love of nature, animals, people and her faith have inspired her to join our team.  

Michael Hopla 

Has over 16 years of experience as Diagnostic and CT technologist and currently is a supervisor of an imaging department in a hospital. He is a Founding Member of Faith Chapel Martial Arts.  He holds a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Dae Han Moo Do, 2nd Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, 1st Dan Black Belt Tang Soo Do, and a brown belt in Hapkido.  Mr. Hopla is a member at Faith Chapel Church and has a true heart for our young people.  He is a committed leader in the children ministries and when he is not training you will find him mentoring or counciling a young person.

Cindy Thigpen’s professional career has spanned 25+ years in Human Resources with a specialization in Talent Acquisition mostly in the Hospitality industry.   Growing up near Lake City, SC on a farm, she has been surrounded by animals of all sorts very early on and so developed a love as well as a deep appreciation for them.   Cindy resides with her husband in New Zion, SC.