Board of Directors
Dennis McSweeney, President – Moving from the Washington DC area, Dennis and his family have lived in Sarasota since 1975. He has worked in law enforcement, as an art dealer/broker, and owned a local advertising agency for over 18 years. Dennis continues to travel to DC as he lobbys for the rights of retired military personnel. Currently Dennis is the Business Development Officer for Absolute Aluminum, his wife Barb designs and creates Fine Fashion Jewelry and their two boys attend Saint Stephen's Episcopal School. Dennis' entire family is active with InStride Therapy. It all began in 1996 when Dennis was called on to host a fundraiser to benefit a small yet seemingly worthy organization – The W. T. Sampson Smith Center for Therapeutic Riding (now known as InStride Therapy). Through their advertising agency, Dennis and Barb offered to produce a brochure to help the organization. It was through the research needed to produce the brochure that the amazing world of Hippotherapy – and in particular the exceptional program that Donna Blem and Mary Nastan offered – took a main stage role in their lives. He has been actively involved with InStride ever since. Having witnessed first hand the miracles that happen daily at InStride, Dennis, Barb and their boys consider it a blessing to be a part of this amazing organization.
Julie Klick, Vice President – With over twenty years of experience in sales and marketing in high-tech industries, Julie Klick has brought her professional business skills to the real estate market through Michael Saunders and Co. Having moved from Atlanta to Longboat Key with her family over six years ago, Julie has quickly entrenched herself into the Sarasota community. She is active in many charitable organizations and has extensive knowledge in the resources for children and adults with disabilities. Her son William is one of InStride’s riders.
Penny Dell’Armi, Secretary - Penny has been associated with InStride Therapy since 1994 when her son Nicholas began riding at the age of 5. She knows first hand the astounding effects this form of therapy can have on an individual. Married to Dan Dell’Armi and living in Nokomis, they have 3 sons Joseph, Daniel and Nicholas. Penny and Dan own and operate DellCor Management, Inc., a Community Association Management Company in Sarasota, Florida. Penny worked as an Administrative Assistant to Executive Director Donna Blem from 1999 - 2006, has volunteered with the Special Olympics Equestrian Team and has served on the Board of Directors of InStride from 1995-1999 and again following her administrative position with InStride.
Mary Nastan, Founder of InStride is a true Floridian, native-born in Fort Lauderdale and a graduate of University of Florida Health Related Sciences in Physical Therapy. Mary has served on numerous boards including National-American Hippotherapy Association/Muscular Dystrophy Association, State Early Development Council, and locally United Cerebral Palsy Association. Mar has over 31 years of clinical experience in physical therapy with specialization in Hippotherapy, Aquatic Therapy, Pediatric Developmental Therapy, and Cranio Sacral Therapy. Special interests include equine studies, gardening, and boating. Married to Richard Nastan and daughter, Stacey Nastan recently graduated from USF in Accounting and lives in Tampa.
Elise Angeloro – An avid horse lover, Elise has lived in California, Pennsylvania and Florida and been actively involved with hippotherapy centers in all three states. She and her husband James are part of Progressive Community Management where they manage associations and properties. Her knowledge of horses and hippotherapy have been an invaluable asset for InStride through the years. Elise is also very involved in the preparation and presentation of InStride's signature event, Derby Day.
Rick Halloran, President of Superior Bank in Sarasota County, has been involved with InStride for 8 years, serving as a past president as well as on numerous committees. Rick devoted two years to the presidency of the West Florida Chapter of the Community Association Institute and has been involved with the organization of Springfest, an annual event sponsored by Palmer Ranch and the Culverhouse family to benefit the Child Protection Center. Rick and his wife Amy live in Braden Woods and have three children - Joshua, Nicholas and Emily.
Tim Shaw was born in rural St. Mary's County, Maryland and has been a resident of Florida since 1978, practicing first in Palm Beach and moving to Sarasota in 1983. Tim is an attorney practicing in the area of real estate, with Kirk-Pinkerton, a local firm with an 84 year history in Sarasota and Bradenton. His practice involves all aspects of real estate and financial institution transactions, including but not limited to condominium, single family and mixed use developments, commercial acquisitions and leasing, asset based and real estate based loan transactions. Tim’s community involvement includes the Great Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center.