Our Board
Founder & Executive Director - Aaron Decker
Board President - Mike Vander Ploeg
Mike has been been in Sales and Business Development for over 25 years. Mike and his wife, Danette, own their own consulting and sales business. Mike's real passion has always been helping people, especially kids, Veterans, and pets.
After researching local ranches to try Hippotherapy for their adopted son, who was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), a chance meeting at a local Business Expo, brought them to Roanoke Ranch. An instant connection between their son, Aaron, and the biggest horse at the Ranch, Dewey, was made and the family was hooked! Danette and Alex started volunteering 2 days a week. Alex even became the official Egg Gatherer and Pooper Scooper. About a year later, Mike became involved after witnessing some pretty amazing changes in Alex, and soon rediscovered his passion for helping children. After chairing the planning committees, Mike ultimately became the President of the Board.
"This Ranch has saved me personally, and our family, too numerous times to count. Those that say Disney World is a magical place, have never been to the ranch. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that Roanoke Ranch is Heaven on Earth! The Ranch has impacted thousands of lives over the years. It's one of our favorite places to be as a family."
The Vander Ploeg's reside in nearby Cascade, Michigan.
Vince Green - Secretary
Vince Green has been a practicing attorney for over 33 years. Residing in Okemos, Michigan, he and his wife, Valarie, an educator, also have
a health and nutritional business. Vince has served on many professional and social-oriented boards over the years but finds that the Roanoke Ranch for Kids Board most satisfying because of it's Mission, in part:
"to help at-risk youth gain confidence and self-esteem
through working with horses"
Between the two of them, Vince and Val have three daughters and two granddaughters.
Susan Haskell - Treasurer
Glenn Dunn
Dr. Roger Shammas
Casey Kuhn