Taras Chance

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

Mr. Matthew Howells

CEO/Executive Director Experience

I am very excited to join Tara’s Chance as the new executive director! My parents purchased the horse stables when I was six years old and I grew up doing the dirty work; feeding, weeding, shoveling, and much more. I was never a true horse lover until our first ever rider, Bella, began the program. Her joy and excitement riding were inspiring, and it was a blessing to be able to help her grow each and every time she rode. As Tara’s Chance grew to serve more riders, I loved watching the impact that our organization was making in the lives of so many children, parents, and volunteers. Shortly after the program began in 2012, I enlisted in the Coast Guard and left Southern California. I served in Florida on a 210’ ship doing drug and migrant interdiction in the Caribbean, went through helicopter rescue swimmer training in North Carolina, and operated facilities in New Orleans. I loved my time in the Coast Guard and it gave me many skills and assets, most importantly my amazing wife, Lindy. After separating from the Coast Guard, I moved to Michigan to be with her and attend the University of Michigan. I graduated in April with my degree in economics and business entrepreneurship. Shortly after graduating, Lindy and I moved back to Southern California. I am so excited to join this phenomenal organization. Our board, staff, volunteers, parents, donors, and sponsors are a fantastic community that I am thrilled to join to serve our riders. I am proud to play an important role in Tara’s Chance to impact our riders, staff, and volunteers. I look forward to getting to know the Tara’s Chance community better and continuing the strong relationships we have as an organization. As the executive director I will lead Tara’s Chance to the best of my ability and help us as an organization to grow.  

Staff Information

Staff Demographics

Ethnicity

Gender