What We DO

Colin Cremin is the Managing Director of the Channing Gray Foundation and The Stables at Channing Gray, overseeing integrated survivor services and equine-assisted therapy. A U.S. Army and nonprofit leader with 20+ years of experience, Colin’s doctoral research focused on equine-assisted therapy as a modality for treating PTSD; his findings guide program design, clinical fidelity, and outcomes across both entities.

Mr. Wiley is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps officer and former sworn law enforcement officer with three decades in special operations and all-source intelligence. He built and led counterterrorism and crisis-response units at SOCCENT and USSOCOM; directed protective services for presidents, heads of state, and private clients; and executed complex investigations, surveillance, and undercover operations worldwide. At Reliant Global Solutions, he ran the company’s counter–human trafficking program, applying on-the-ground expertise across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and leveraging a deep network across law enforcement, NGOs, and interagency partners. 

Wiley also brings strong program-building and technology acumen—concept development, detailed planning, briefings, instruction, and advisory roles with USSOCOM Science & Technology and Carnegie Mellon’s Software Engineering Institute—advancing data visualization, reporting tools, partnerships, and implementation strategies against human trafficking. This blend of operational leadership, investigative expertise, and tech-enabled program design directly supports the Channing Gray Foundation’s mission to locate and recover trafficking victims, disrupt forced-labor networks, and strengthen survivor-centered aftercare.

Carrie Thompson serves as the Director of Operations for the Stables at Channing Gray, overseeing day-to-day programming, staff coordination, and the smooth operation of all equine-assisted therapy services. A lifelong horsewoman, Carrie blends deep practical horsemanship with a calm, detail-oriented leadership style that keeps both clients and horses safe, supported, and thriving. She manages scheduling, facilities, and herd care, ensuring that every session—from intake to closing stall doors—supports Channing Gray’s healing mission.

Joe spent more than 25 years as an Army officer, serving most recently as Chief of Current Operations for U.S. Army South. He also served as Senior Advisor to the Commanding General and as the Senior U.S. Military Observer for the UN Mission in Mali. His operational experience spans Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Years of leading multinational teams, coordinating complex operations, and managing risks in challenging environments now guide his work with veterans.

As Director of Veterans Affairs, Joe oversees veteran intake, coordinates care with VA and community partners, and incorporates participants into equine-assisted therapy using trauma-informed, safety-first practices. He facilitates peer support, manages logistics like scheduling and transportation, performs risk screenings and safety planning, and maintains clear non-clinical boundaries.

Sandy

Niina Cremin is the Director of Marketing and Outreach for The Channing Gray Foundation. Originally from Connecticut, she has lived across Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, bringing a global perspective to her work. With a background in marketing and sales from New York’s Fashion Institute, she now uses her expertise in brand storytelling, partnerships, and community engagement to expand awareness of the foundation’s healing programs. Niina focuses on highlighting the unique way neuroscience informs the human–horse connection at Channing Gray, helping donors, partners, and the wider community understand the transformative impact of the foundation’s work.

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Robert P. White is a retired United States Army officer who most recently served as the Commanding General of III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, leading a force of more than 90,000 Soldiers. Commissioned as an Armor Officer in 1986, he has served in a wide range of United States Army, Joint, Combined, and staff positions across four continents, including service in the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, and Operation Inherent Resolve, commanding formations up to the corps level. From September 2019 to September 2020, he also commanded Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, directing multinational coalition operations in the fight against ISIS. Today, he leverages this extensive leadership and operational experience to provide strategic guidance and mentorship to The Channing Gray Foundation.

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Daniel Fillion is a career naval aviator and commander whose operational service spans multiple helicopter squadrons in the SH-3 and SH-60 communities and leadership of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41. At sea, he served as navigator aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and later as executive officer and commanding officer of USS Wasp (LHD 1), before commanding Expeditionary Strike Group 3. Ashore, his senior joint assignments included roles on the Joint Staff, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Strategic Command, and as director of the President’s Emergency Operations Center at the White House. His leadership and experience directly strengthen Channing Gray’s governance, long-range planning, and ability to serve with stability and precision.

Phil Oates is Chairman of the Board for Buzz Oates, a leading commercial real estate developer in California’s Greater Central Valley. He also stewards The Oates Family Foundation, honoring the legacy of his father, Marvin “Buzz” Oates,” and advancing philanthropic efforts focused on faith-based initiatives, children’s causes, and education. A local owner of the Sacramento Kings, Phil is deeply invested in the future of his community and brings that same commitment, business acumen, and civic vision to his support of The Channing Gray Foundation.

Matt Hiley is the co-owner of Hiley Auto Group and the author of three books, known for a sharp, witty, and unafraid writing voice. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, he and his family share their home with a rotating cast of rescued animals—along with six dogs, six cats, and a hamster named Leslie. A self-described terrible musician, struggling fisherman, and decidedly average golfer, Hiley has nevertheless found his stride as a storyteller and advocate, bringing humor, heart, and honesty to his various endeavors.

John Coutris serves as Senior Vice President of Business Development at C2H Capital, where he leads key growth initiatives, cultivates strategic partnerships, and designs innovative sales processes to increase revenue and improve gross margins. He uncovers new opportunities through targeted networking, maintains a robust pipeline of prospects across multiple industry verticals, and collaborates with the executive team on strategies that expand the firm’s customer base and optimize resources. Coutris is also responsible for crafting compelling sales presentations, educating clients on investment solutions, and shaping pricing structures that drive profitable, win–win outcomes.

Dr. Steven D. Sherry is a New York native who earned his D.D.S. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and his M.D. from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, completing his general surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital, followed by a cosmetic surgery fellowship at Willow Bend Cosmetic Surgery Center in Plano.

He is an adjunct professor at A.T. Still University in Phoenix and holds hospital privileges at Texas Health and Baylor hospitals. His clinical interests include orthognathic, TMJ, and sleep apnea surgery, and his research focuses on distraction osteogenesis for maxillary transverse discrepancies and TMJ total joint replacement protocols. Dr. Sherry is in full-time private practice in Dallas, where he lives with his wife, Lindsey, and their two daughters.

Dr. Ashley Conklin has spent more than 25 years dedicated to unlocking the potential of neurodivergent students and helping them thrive—in college and in life. As the founder of Concierge ADHD Coaching, she has guided hundreds of students nationwide to build the confidence, skills, and systems that empower them to succeed academically and personally.

A lifelong learner and educator, Ashley earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in psychology from Southern Methodist University, where she also served in both faculty and staff roles before opening her private practice in 2001. Her academic and professional expertise, combined with her own family’s experiences with ADHD, deepened her understanding of how compassion, structure, and self-awareness can transform a student’s trajectory.

With a rare blend of professional insight and heartfelt dedication, Dr. Conklin’s work centers on helping students harness their strengths through self-discovery, self-regulation, and self-mastery—equipping them not just for academic success, but for a lifetime of confidence and purpose.