HALONA FARMS - Key Persons
Dennis has been a horseman from the moment he swung a leg over his first horse, Flicka at age five. At 14, he opened his first equestrian-inspired enterprise, a trail riding business called Rent-A-Horse. Two years later, he was operating his own custom hay business. Professionally, Dennis worked in the locomotive controls division of GE and partnered in a building controls and automation company that became one of the largest independent environmental controls companies in the industry. However, horses were always his passion. He built a multi-discipline equestrian facility in central Texas and managed the construction of numerous equine projects. He served as President of a Lexington, KY, based equine performance evaluation consulting firm that was instrumental in helping clients select top Thoroughbreds and win awards including "Owner and Breeder of the Year." More notable successes were having client horses win multiple graded stakes and the Kentucky Derby. The firm's selection method was even featured on NBC during the Breeders' Cup and played a role in the sale of one of the top-selling yearlings at $9.2 million. Dennis brings a contagious passion for horses through continual support of multiple charities, including equine rescues and therapeutic riding programs. His number-one motivator is to one day be able to feed all the world's horses and cure digestive and behavioral issues that come from poor feeding practices and to supply it at a reduced cost. Dennis is an active member of the US Polo Association, the AQHA, and USEF.
John Holland has lived and breathed the environmental mechanical industry for more than 30 years. He's received multiple awards worldwide for his work and is recognized as an industry expert for his innovation and technical problem solving. Chief among his notable contributions over the years was his work on the environmental systems for Intel, BP, KBR, Chevron, Perot Systems, Johnson Controls, IBM, Hunt Brothers and Helix Solutions, which was the ship that assisted in cleaning up the Deep-Water Horizon. Every one of these projects required advanced and uniquely comprehensive designs, coupled with state-of-the-art automation, in order to meet extremely precise environmental requirements. This innovation and impeccable attention to detail ensures the growing systems of Halona Farms operate at the forefront of the industry.
Since 1979, Marvin Boyd has enjoyed a successful business career, with more than 12 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant and more than 17 years as the COO of a "Top 30" automotive group in the U.S. that boasted more than 1,500 employees and $720 million in sales. He's also helped to kick-start multiple up-and-coming businesses, from custom home building to internet marketing services. Marvin brings that same level of financial savvy with a passion for horses and a love for our nation's armed forces as the Vice President for the Remount Foundation's board, which uses equine-assisted methods as therapy for active duty, veterans, and their families who struggle to cope with PTSD and TBI. He is also an active Thoroughbred owner, breeder and racing enthusiast.
Mr. Golden possesses 30 years of experience with control systems technology and real-time information management. This experience covers a wide variety of areas ranging from the design and development of control system software packages to implementing control systems for industry-leading electrical, oil and gas pipeline companies. His expertise includes numerous plant automation and HVAC Energy Management Systems. Pat is also a holder of two (2) patents in the energy management field. He is proficient in organizing and conducting requirements gathering sessions with principal stakeholders, and subsequently reflecting those requirements in a clear and concise manner in formal documents. Other experiences include project management of large projects such as the California Independent System Operator (ISO) implementation. Mr. Golden's control system expertise, organization skills and experience in project management is what he brings to the grow systems of Halona Farms.