Texas Equusearch

Board of Directors

Tim Miller – Founder and Director

Tim Miller started Texas EquuSearch Mounted Search and Recovery Team was started in August 2000 with the purpose to provide Volunteer Horse Mounted Search and Recovery for Lost and Missing persons.  The team’s existence and purpose is dedicated to the memory of Laura Miller, the daughter of our founding director, Tim Miller. Laura was abducted and murdered in North Galveston County in 1984. Our team is composed of volunteers of various experiences, with many being experienced horse owners.

Texas EquuSearch has been involved in 1,170+ searches in approximately 42 states in the United States, Aruba, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.  Our efforts have proven successful with returning over 300 missing people home to their families safely, many of which would have been deceased.  Texas EquuSearch is responsible for recovering the remains of 118 missing loved ones, bringing closure to many families.  Many of the 118 cases have resulted in criminal cases.  At no time during any of the searches was evidence compromised by Texas EquuSearch.  Therefore, the suspect(s) were brought to justice resulting in convictions.  Additionally, Mr. Miller has been involved in several murder trials.

Our director, Tim Miller, has been featured on CourtTV’s Crime Library “A Profile of Tim Miller and Texas EquuSearch” by Dr. Katherine Ramsland.  Dr. Ramsland has published twenty-seven books and currently teaches forensic psychology at DeSales University in Pennsylvania.  Dr. Katherine Ramsland has written a truly tremendous and comprehensive article on Tim Miller and Texas EquuSearch in addition to a detailed account of Tim, the volunteers and the searches for missing persons in an attempt to provide closure for the many grieving families.  Closure is so very important so at least the healing process can begin.

Additionally, Geraldo At Large, Larry King Live, Fox News National, Greta Van Susteren, CNN, HLN, Nancy Grace, Glenn Beck, People Magazine, News Week, Evidence Technology, Dateline, 20/20, Texas Horse Talk and all the local news stations have all featured the works of Texas EquuSearch and Tim Miller’s experiences in the searches of lost loved ones.

Tim Miller is also the recipient of the “Point of Light” award by George W. Bush.  He received the Jefferson award from the City of Houston, the foundation for the improvement of justice in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, the Texas Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award, the National Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award, Crime Stoppers of Houston and countless other awards from all over the nation.  Mr. Miller was invited by George H.W. Bush, Jr., and attended, the first conference for the National Missing and Exploited Children in Washington, D.C., and also the signing of the National Amber Alert in Washington, D.C.  He has also been the keynote speaker for the national conference for Parents of Murdered Children, along with being a keynote speaker for many law enforcement conferences across the country.  Mr. Miller has received countless other awards from across the nation.

Randall Stine – Chairman of the Board

Born in Long Beach, California and moved to Houston at 3 years old.  Moved to Tripoli Libya North Africa at 5 years old and lived there for 10 years. His  father was in the oil business and worked for what is now Exxon Mobil. They moved back to Houston area where he finished high school and continued his education at Sam Houston State University.

Randy received a degree in General Business Administration and began his career with Ford Motor Credit Corporation. After several years, he moved over to the retail side of the auto business as a Finance Director at Ford dealership. Randy has continued with a career in the automotive industry working with Ford, Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Chevrolet Cadillac, Toyota and he is now the General Manager of Advantage BMW MINI of Clear Lake.

Randy has served on the boards of the Bay Area Cancer Society and the Clear Creek Education Foundation.

Randy is married and have two boys one graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design and one just starting college.

Debbie Drury – Vice Chairman of the Board

A native Houstonian, Ms. Debbie Drury has excelled in the advertising and marketing profession. Ms. Drury is the founder and President of Market Doctors Direct providing valuable marketing services to over 330 enterprises nationwide. Over the years, she has developed a close working relationship with her clients. These business interactions have allowed her the opportunity to interact with many of Houston’s political, business and community leaders as well as many charitable organizations. Market Doctors Direct has contributed to numerous organizations over the past 12 years, including Texas Equusearch where she is passionate and dedicated to see them reach new levels of success.

Ms. Drury is the mother of 2 children, Bailey and Brian Drury, as well as the grandmother of 2 beautiful grandchildren, Jordan and Lexi.  She is currently an active member of Clear Lake Community Church as well as the Vice Chairman of the Board for Texas Equusearch mounted search and recovery team. Her strong faith in God helps her balance her duties to family, community and customers.  

Ms. Drury is a member of The National Association of Professional Women and has been recognized as a leader by The Woman’s Business Enterprise Alliance. A mother, grandmother, business owner, employer, business consultant and community leader, this is Ms. Debbie Drury.  

John R. Prindle — Treasurer

John Prindle is a native to New Orleans, Louisiana where he spent 47 years. He was born raised and educated there. He attended the following schools:

1.) Lakewood Private Elementary School 1965-1973

2.) Brother Martin Catholic High School 1973-1977  

3.) University of New Orleans 1977-1981

John still owns a home on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain in Lacombe, Louisiana and still enjoys spending time with friends and family during holidays and vacation.  John made the Houston area his home when in he joined the Roundtree Automotive Group as a partner in 2007 with Frank Stinson at Clear Lake Nissan in League City, Texas.
John has been in the automotive industry for 30 plus years and has held several different positions in many different dealerships. He began his carrier at Toyota of Jefferson as a new car salesman in Metairie, Louisiana. He later became new truck sales manager, F&I manager, new car sales manager, and when the dealership was sold to Tony Gullo in 1991 John became the General Sales Manager. John stayed at that location for a total of almost 20 years.

John left his position to pursue a job as General Manager for the Crescent City Group in Metairie and after 6 months was awarded his second dealership with that group and was in charge of running two stores and managing over 150 employees. John increased net profitability year over year by 3 million dollars in 2001. Crescent City Toyota was awarded most improved dealership in Gulf States in 2001and 2002. John quickly became one of the most sought after operators in the New Orleans area due to his ability to lead people and turn around struggling dealerships.

John was pursued by Regency Ford in Metairie, Louisiana where he eventually took a position as General Manager and became Fii certified with Ford Motor Company. John began a process to restructure Service, Body Shop, & Parts departments in order to increased profitability & decreasing frozen capital. He developed a process to review & minimize dealership fixed and variable expenses. He reduced New & Used Car inventory from 18M to 9M while retailing in excess of 800K negative equity over-aged New & Used vehicle inventory resulting in an appropriate inventory selection & quantity based on current market demand. Systems and processes implemented resulted in year over increase in sales volume and increased service R.O. count resulting in 312% year over year increase in net dealership profit.

John left his position with Regency Ford when the company was purchased by Robert Weinmann of Veterans Ford. John joined the Pat Peck Organization in 2004 in Gulfport, MS as the operating partner. Pat Peck even though a well run dealership experienced year over year sales growth in new and used vehicle sales as well as substantial growth in both parts and service. The proper selection and vehicle mix along with a sound marketing campaign paved the way to 212% increase in dealership profitability. After being devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 Pat Peck made a decision to sell all of his dealerships to Group One Automotive and retire. After the sale of the dealerships John moved to the Houston area where he is now a partner with the Roundtree Automotive Group as the managing partner of Clear Lake Nissan.

John enjoys and is involved in the following activities:  Water Skiing, Golf, Fishing, Tennis, Offshore Power Boat Racing

References

Ford division Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Credit Co.
Gulf States Toyota
Toyota Motor Corporation Company
Nissan Motor Corporation of North America
Capital One Bank
Bank One
Chase Manhattan Bank
Mike Seago, owner Regency Ford
Walter Blessey, owner Crescent City Toyota / Nissan
Chase Manhattan Bank
Tony Gullo, owner Lakeside Toyota
Keith Hanks, General Manager Lakeside Toyota
Additional references available upon request

Dat Tran — Secretary
Associate General Counsel, Unregulated Businesses

Sequent Energy Management and Pivotal Energy Development

Dat Tran was named associate general counsel for AGL Resources’ unregulated businesses in March 2007. Mr. Tran, who joined AGL Resources in August 2003, is responsible for managing and directing the legal affairs of several business divisions, including Sequent Energy Management and Pivotal Energy Development.

Mr. Tran has more than 15 years of legal experience in the energy sector, specializing in commodities trading and marketing, mergers and acquisitions and project development. Prior to joining AGL Resources, he was assistant general counsel at CMS Energy’s energy marketing unit, CMS Marketing Services and Trading. He also has held senior legal and management positions with Duke Energy and Kinder Morgan Inc.

Mr. Tran earned three degrees from the University of Connecticut: a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, a master’s degree in business administration and a Juris Doctor degree.

He resides in Houston with his wife and three children.

Ralph Baird

In 2005, Ralph Baird was called by a Harris County Texas Sheriff to assist Texas EquuSearch to add new technologies to volunteer search cases. Ralph is an advocate for families of missing loved ones; he has conducted hundreds of searches using state-of-the art methods. He serves Texas EquuSearch as a director and a technical advisor. Ralph graduated from the Colorado School of Mines and worked for ConocoPhillips and Fairfield Industries before founding Baird Petrophysical International and Petro Development Advisors. Ralph is also on the board of directors of the International Year of Planet Earth, a UN/UNESCO supported initiative aimed at education of youth about Earth science and its successor organization the Planet Earth Institute.

Don K. Clark

Mr. Clark is a native Texan.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and a regular Army commission as a second Lieutenant from Prairie View A&M University in 1967.  He attended Long Island University and completed course work for a master’s degree in Public Administration and he graduated from The John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Mr. Clark retired from the Federal Government on February 3, 2000 after 35 years of service.  He served nine and a half years as a commissioned Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army achieving the rank of Captain.  His service included a combat tour of duty in South Vietnam and was later selected by the Chief of Staff of the Army to command an Airborne/Ranger Company in the First Ranger Battalion.

Mr. Clark entered on duty as a Special Agent of the FBI on November 7, 1976 and served in Miami, New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Newark, San Antonio and Houston.  His assignments as an investigative agent and manager in the FBI included foreign counterintelligence, counterterrorism, violent crimes, organized crime/drug and other FBI investigative programs.

Mr. Clark supervised numerous high profile FBI investigations including the 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis where he handled the movement of the Shah of Iran from New York City to San Antonio, TX.  He supervised the investigation of the terrorist attack aboard the Achille Lauro cruise ship, which claimed the life of passenger Leon Klinghoffer, and he managed the investigation of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City.  He was in charge of tactical operations in 1996 during the Freeman crisis in Jordan, Montana.  He coordinated and managed the investigation and prosecution of the dragging death of James Byrd, Jr. in Jasper, Texas and he was in charge of the investigation and coordination to locate FBI’s top fugitive and accused “Railcar Killer” Rafael Resendes Ramirez. 

Some of Mr. Clark’s many assignments included, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division New York Office, Violent Crimes Program in 1991.  In January 1994, Mr. Clark was assigned to manage all counterterrorism investigations in the New York Office and later in June 1994, he was designated Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division of the New York FBI Office.  In December 1994, he was named Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio FBI Division.  On July 2, 1996, Director Freeh appointed Mr. Clark as the Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division, one of the FBI’s Top Ten Field Divisions, the position he held until his retirement. 

Mr. Clark is married, has two daughters, two stepdaughters, and seven grand children.  He is an avid runner and enjoys golfing.  He has dedicated his accomplishments to his grandfather and mother, and has committed himself to the development of excellence in our youth.

Mr. Clark has always demonstrated a sense of belonging and caring for the community.  He serves on the Texas A&M Chancellors Century Council, Co-Chairman of the Prairie View Capitol Campaign, which is very close to its goal of 30 Million dollars; He also serves as a Director on the Houston Parks Board, Houston Children’s Charity Board, D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness) Board and The Small Business Administration Advisory Board.  He is also a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and serves on the Go Texan Committee.

Mr. Clark is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.  While in the FBI, he attended the FBI’s Executive Development Institute, was a trained SWAT member, bombing instructor, and police-training instructor.  He has numerous achievements, including high school class valedictorian.  Who’s Who in America’s Colleges and Universities, Distinguished Military Graduate, receiving a regular Army commission, and many awards and recognitions from both the U.S. Army and the FBI.  The most notable are U.S. Army Air Medal for Combat Assaults and two Bronze Stars for Bravery while serving in Vietnam.  He received the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement during law enforcement action and in July 2000, he also received the U.S. Attorney Generals highest Award for Excellence for his efforts in the investigation and prosecution of the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crime Murder in Jasper, Texas. 

Barbara Collins

Barbara originally joined Texas Equusearch Mounted Search Team planning to ride her horses more often… with the added bonus of being able to dedicate time to a much needed community service. While Barbara’s horsemanship skills can be appreciated in the search fields when Texas Equusearch deploys the equine division, it is her business administration skills that prove invaluable to the day-to-day operations of this highly successful search team.

With 25+ years in business management, including 7 years as Office Administrator for a Houston Homeowners Association (Non Profit  501(c)(3)), Barbara is currently employed by  Cadillac Fabrication of Texas LLC.  A lifelong resident of Galveston County, Barbara is married and has three daughters.  

Ken DeFoor

• Graduated from Houston Police Department Academy in April 1958.
• Retired Captain of the Houston Police Department (HPD) with 27 years of service as a Criminal Investigator, Homicide Detective, Lieutenant of Patrol and Captain/ Division Commander and pilot of HPD’s Helicopter Patrol Division.  Still holds a commercial helicopter rating and an active Texas State Masters Law Enforcement Certification.
• Former Chief of Police with the Dayton, Texas Police Department.
• Former executive protection bodyguard for president of a major oil company.
• Former Chief Deputy, Liberty County Sheriff’s Department (in 2001 and in 2009).
• Former owner of KEN DEFOOR INVESTIGATIONS.
• Former Coordinator for Liberty County Office of Emergency Management.
• TCLEOSE Certified Instructor and Public Speaker.

 Licenses/Affiliations:

• Reserve Officer, Dayton Police Department.
• Licensed Through State-Approved Institute of Graphological Science as a Master Graphologist and Questioned Document Examiner.
• Master Peace Officer License – October 26, 1994.
• Commercial Helicopter License.
• First Baptist Church, Dayton.
• Rotary Club of Dayton.
• Advisory Director for 100 Club (Liberty County
• Gideon’s International Association.
• Texas EquuSearch (Search Coordinator) 

Hobbies & Interests:

Antique cars
Motorcycling
Camping
Treasure hunting
Canoeing

Andy Kahan

Andy currently serves as the Mayor’s Crime Victims Director for the City of Houston, Texas. This one-man office acts as an ombudsman for victims of crime and has been instrumental in enacting victim-related legislation in addition to serving as a resource for victims of crime.

Andy Kahan received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1983 from the University of Houston and came to work in 1992 as the Director of the Mayor’s Crime Victims Office for the City of Houston. His responsibilities include working with local crime victim’s rights organizations to facilitate the pooling of resources and the exchange of information.  In addition, the office monitors parole and crime statistics, represents victims before the Parole Board, puts crime victims in touch with local crime victims support and advocacy groups and represents the Mayor before various inter-agency crime groups.

Since it’s inception, the Director has had great success in working with the Legislature in support of Victims Rights.  The following listed below are legislation enacted and supported by the office:

• 1993 Creating a Capitol offense for those who murder a child six year’s and younger.
• 1993 Reduction in the amount of Parolees released in Harris County.
• 1995 Abolishment of Mandatory Release of convicted felons.
• 1995 Promotion of gun safety by making adults criminally responsible for failure to properly store firearms.
• 1996 Enacted a policy change to allow victims families to witness executions.
• 1997 “Lori’s Law” Allowing juveniles to be criminally charged with Failure to Stop and Render Aid.
• 1997 Mandating the Parole Board meet with either the victims or family members before a vote takes place.
• 1997 Allowing Governmental Agencies the option of providing public information to convicted felons who are incarcerated.
• 1999 Creation of an enhanced sex offender’s notification to include names, specific numeric address and photographs free of charge.  Direct mailing of the above provided to residents within three blocks of a high- risk offender.
• 1999 Extended Crime Victims compensation benefits for relocation expenses to victims of domestic violence.
• 2000 Instrumental in bringing Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) to Harris County.
• 2001 Spearheaded National Campaign to prevent convicted criminals and their agents from profiting from the sale of “Murderabilia”.  Several states as a result enacted the Notoriety for Profit Law.
• 2001 Extension of Statute of Limitations on Hit-And-Run fatalities from three years to unlimited, as in other cases of homicide.
• 2003 Extended Parole Set-offs from a maximum of three years to five years for violent offenders.
• 2005 Changed the cause of death from “Homicide” to Judicial Order on a death certificate of an executed inmate.
• 2005 Allows for victim notification on cases found not guilty by reason of insanity.
• 2006 Initiated policy change within the Texas Department of Public Safety to include deported sex offenders on their public database.
• 2006 Initiated policy change within MySpace to screen death row inmate web pages.
• 2008 Enhanced Conspiracy to Solicit Capitol Murder to a 1^st Degree Felony
• 2008 Added Conspiracy to Solicit Capitol Murder to the list of offenses eligible for Termination of Parental Rights
• 2008 Pre-1980 Homicide Cases will now be eligible to receive Crime Victim Compensation Benefits.

 MEDIA AND PUBLICATION

 The Mayor’s Crime Victims Office has received national recognition on television and News Shows such as:

CNN, A&E Network, The Paula Zahn Show, ABC’s 20/20/Prime Time,       CBS’s 48 Hours, The Today Show, Court TV, Good Morning America, The Nancy Grace Show, Fox News, America’s Most Wanted, 60 Minutes, People Magazine, The O’Reilly Factor, The John Walsh Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, MSNBC’s The Abram’s Report @ Scarborough Country, Chris Matthews Hardball, The Montel Williams Show

HONORS AND AWARDS

• 1995 Governor’s Senator Ralph Yarborough Allied Professional Award for Outstanding Leadership by a Service Professional
• Foundation for Improvement of Justice 1996 National Award Winner for significant contributions to the field of criminal justice
• National Council of Jewish Women 2003 Hannah G. Solomon Award for enacting social change to improve crime victims rights
•  2006 Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award from the United States Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) for public policy leadership and innovation that benefits crime victims

Lee Kemick
Financial Representative

New England Financial – Houston

Mr. Kemick is licensed to sell life and health insurance in the State of Texas.  He is registered to offer securities products in Texas.  Master level Producer and Super Starter award.

Mr. Kemick is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University.

He resides in Houston with his wife and two children.

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