Lisa Derby Oden

Professional History

Click to learn more about Lisa Derby Oden's professional experience across the categories below:

 Leadership/Management/Administration

Provide consultation to farm and forestry businesses as part of Business Advisory Teams for MA Farm Viability and MA Forestry Viability Programs.

Appointed by Governor Lynch to the commission to study the expansion of the NH Agriculture Innovation Program.

Appointed by Governor to represent NH equine industry on NH Farm Viability Task Force.

Developed design for north central MA regional business plan competition; solicited sponsorships of $40K in cash and small business services for prizes.

Consulted to NH Agricultural Innovation Program as Business Advisory Team member to two farms positioning for growth. Provided marketing and financial assistance for preparing farm business plan.

Consulted to retail and service oriented small businesses in areas of business planning, marketing, and financial management.

Develop, coordinate and administrate all project activities within Wilton downtown revitalization program to promote economic development. Received state-wide awards; acquired 20,000sq.ft. building, ran 10 downtown promotional events.

Spearheaded the reactivation of NH Horse Council. Established government, association, business and individual liaisons and support. Serve as president and oversee board, membership, and fundraising development. Lobbied successfully for legislation that provides benefits for horse industry economy.

Consulted to Beginner Farmers of New Hampshire providing collaborative
marketing services. Conducted research of collaborative marketing models;
designed and implemented member survey for product range assessment; and
shepherded business planning to establish new markets for start-up farmers
both individually and collectively.

Developed and distributed Human Resource Survey to state horse councils. Tabulated results to produce first Resource Directory for State Horse Council Advisory Committee.

Conducted research among state horse councils focused on paid staff, job responsibilities, compensation; role in government relations.

Self-employed for 11 years dba Derby Farm (Equestrian Boarding, Instruction, Training). Negotiated purchase, established financial plan and accounting systems, negotiated divestiture doubling initial investment. Hired, trained, and supervised employee pool of 10. Developed and led volunteer network to assist in special program implementation.

Managed three progressively larger restaurants for Deering Ice Cream. Maximized profitability by reducing labor costs, efficient product ordering, and monitoring portion control. Implemented comprehensive staff selection, training, and motivation program that resulted in restaurant turn-around. Scheduled and supervised staff of 10-15.

Acted as Manager On Duty for Country Inn with guest capacity of 100. Assisted with marketing and sales. Prepared night audits. Participated in team policy decision making.

Founding sponsor/board member for 3 grass roots horse organizations in Maine.
 

  Market Development

Conducted market research and developed curriculum plan for new offering at
Mount Wachusett Community College focused on Entrepreneurial Training.

Discovered void in equestrian market. Focused on niche market and created Derby Farm. Developed program and advertising that increased sales from $0 to $85,000.

Increased riding instruction revenue at Pegasus Stables by 500% through market assessment and subsequent program design.

Developed Real Estate advertising section for Northeast Equine Journal. Designed layout, formulated and implemented campaign strategy. Increased sales from 1/2 page to 3 pages in three months.

Assisted in Personal Trainer program design, implementation, and marketing, opening new revenue source for YMCA.

Conducted Market Strategy Analysis for NH Horse Council and State Horse Council Advisory Committee resulting in membership development initiatives for association growth.

  Fundraising / Sales

Grant writer for NH Equine Education project, organized by NH Farm Bureau, UNH Cooperative Extension, and NH Horse Council. Received $2400 funding from grantor.

Grant writer, recipient and project director for $27.5K grant to conduct
statewide NH equine economic impact study.

Grant writer for and recipient of $5000 Eisenhower Funds from NH Dept. of Education for summer teacher institute offered by University of New Hampshire and NH Agriculture in the Classroom.

Grant writer/project manager to produce "Guidelines & Best Management
Practices for Horsekeeping", in coordination with NH Horse Council. Received
grants and in-kind contributions of $2500.

Developed fundraising strategy for Applebee Skijor Race Team to qualify and compete at Skijor World Championships, Alaska 2001. Raised $5500 in funds and in-kind contributions.

Developed and implemented corporate development strategy for Horse Power Therapeutic Riding Program. Recruited committee, conducted organizational survey, researched potential donors, and solicited corporations for fundraising events.

Grant writer and project manager for NH's first statewide directory of equine services. Received $500 grant from NH Dept. Agriculture, Markets & Food.

Fundraising team leader for YMCA Annual Support Campaign. Raised 140% above goal. Recruited team and solicited pledges.

Exceeded sales goals for classified advertising to equestrian market. Managed territory accounts. Met deadlines.

Participated in telemarketing and direct mail campaigns increasing seasonal sales for Seven Hills Inn.

  Communications

Developed semester-long curriculum and taught Equine Business Management to traditional and DCE students at University of NH, Durham, NH.

Wrote articles published in Northeast Equine Journal, Chronicle of the Horse, American Medical Equestrian Assoc. Newsletter, American Riding Instructor Assoc. Newsletter, Horsemen's Guide, Eastern Equerry, Salute, Yankee Pedlar, New England Agriculture, The Instructor, Horse Professional, Stable Management, EquineSite.com and many other trade publications across the US.

Developed and presented workshops on Small Business and Human Resource Development topics: Small Business Life Cycle, Marketing, Team Building & Situational Leadership, Empowerment and Risk-Taking and Horse Industry Development topics.

Spoke on Small Business Growth and Development, Marketing, and Communication Essentials throughout the US.

Developed agriculturally-based curriculum using multi-disciplinary approach. Edited quarterly thematic newsletter. Prepared and presented professional development teacher training workshops for NH Agriculture in the Classroom.

Taught horsemanship to youths, adults, and special needs individuals in private and group settings for 13 years.

Developed and presented 4 years of monthly equine science seminars. Used demonstrations, video, flip charts, handouts, and hands-on methods.

Coached students to 75 local and regional championships, or instructor status.

  Program Development

Represents equine on UNH Thompson School of Applied Science Advisory Committee

Planned and coordinated accredited three day teacher training institute for NHAITC in collaboration with University of NH.

Coordinated and supervised Equine Education Symposium and mini-trade show for University of NH.

Independently organized and directed 50 equine clinics, 25 shows, 6 annual summer youth programs.

Collaborated with 4-H, local clubs and farms, Girl Scouts, Bonny Eagle High School and University of Southern Maine in riding, work, education, and competitive programs.

Revamped programming for Massachusetts 4-H Horse Camp with emphasis on safety. Developed and conducted weekly Instructors Clinic.

Assisted in development of Employee of the Month program and Annual Awards Banquet as member of YMCA Recognition Committee. Solicited awards from community businesses.

  Equine Animal Science

Managed equine herds from 25 to 50, formulating individualized health, care, and conditioning programs for 13 years.

Provided consultation as expert witness in two equine liability suits.

Trained 50 horses, all ages and breeds, for English and Western Pleasure, Competitive Trail, Dressage and Combined Training.

Competed through Second Level Dressage and Training Level Combined Training.

  Honors

Excellence in the Entrepreneurship Classroom, The Experiential Classroom VII, Syracuse University, 2006

1999 American Horse Council Van Ness Award recipient.

2004 New Hampshire Farm Bureau President's Award

  Education

Antioch New England Graduate School - MS Management 1995

University of New Hampshire - BS Animal Science, Magna Cum Laude 1975

Professional development seminars on: Small Business Development, Financial
Management, Market Analysis, Retail Success, Ad Designs, Promotions,
Fundraising, Philanthropy, Organizational Success.

New England Leadership School 1992

United States Eventing Association ICP Candidate - 2002

Principles of Teaching Dressage - 2003

American Riding Instructors Certification Program - Graduate 1988

Berkshire Community College - Accounting Course 1993

University of Southern Maine - Intro. to Business Management 1977

American Council on Exercise - Certified Personal Trainer 1992-1994

Certified Red Cross Community CPR 1988-1992; 2001- present

Certified Red Cross First Aid 1988-1991; 2001- present

New England Dressage Assoc. Instructors Seminar-2nd Level to Grand Prix 1989

Rochester Equine Clinic - Seminars on equine health, conditioning, mgmnt. 1984-1990

Trained annually with several Olympic level riders 1978-1990

  Employment History

Consultant Blue Ribbon Consulting, New Ipswich, NH 1993-present

Director, Entrepreneurial Resource Center, Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, MA      2005-present

Curriculum Developer Business & Professional Development Specialist - Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, MA 2004 - 2005

Program Manager  Wilton Main Street Association, Wilton, NH 1998 - 2000

Education Director   NH Agriculture in the Classroom, Concord, NH 1996-1998

Corporate Fund Raiser   Horse Power, Temple, NH 1995-1996

Account Executive Northeast Equine Journal, Keene, NH 1993-1994

Program Director   Massachusetts 4-H Camp, Spencer, MA Summer 1993

Resident Manager   Seven Hills Inn, Lenox, MA 1992-1993

Fitness Instructor   Pittsfield YMCA, Pittsfield, MA 1991-1992

Owner/Manager/Instructor   Derby Farm, Buxton, ME 1979-1991

Manager/Sr. Instructor   Pegasus Stable, Falmouth, ME 1978-1979

Restaurant Manager   Deering Ice Cream, Portland, ME 1976-1978

  Affiliations

American Horse Publications 2005- present

Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, 2000   www.elcr.org

Certified Horsemanship Association 1999-2002   www.cha-ahse.org

New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation - Equine Committee Chair  1998, 2001-present www.nhfarmbureau.org

The Horse Industry Alliance 1997-until dissolved  www.horseindustry.com

New Hampshire Horse Council - President 1996 - 2000, Board 2000-2003,
Committee Member 2003 - 2004, Member 2004-present www.nhhorsecouncil.com

New Hampshire Equine Humane Association     1995-2002

American Medical Equine Association 1995-1997

American Horse Council - 1994-present  www.horsecouncil.org  SHCAC (www.statehorsecouncils.org)  Executive Committee -1999-2004

American Riding Instructors Association 1988-1999

United States Combined Training Association - Life Member 1979-present www.eventingusa.com

Maine Farm Bureau 1987-1991

Maine Combined Training Association - President, Founding Member 1987-1990

Southern Maine Dressage Association - Founding Committee, Member     1985-1990

Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Society 1985-1990

New England Dressage Association 1984-1990

York County Riders 1979-1990

Royal River Pony Club - Founding Sponsor, Supporting Sponsor 1978-1990

UNH Horseman's Club - President, Member  1972-1975

Lunenburg 4-H Bridle Path Club-Jr. Leader, President     1969-1972

Home    Services    Policies & Rates     Resources     About Us    Contact Page    Transformational Riding    Email Lisa 

Back to Top