Meet the MKSR Executive Board!
MKSR President / Director
Meet Marisa Gilliland.
Marisa is a 26 year old resident of Gillett, Pennsylvania! Marisa's love for horses and rodeo started at 11 years old when she started trail riding with some friends. During her high school years she traveled to many local rodeos competing the Barrel Racing event. At the age of 17, Marisa decided to run for the title of Miss Teen Rodeo Pennsylvania which she won in 2017. She then went on to win Miss Rodeo Pennsylvania in 2019 and Miss Keystone State Rodeo 2021. She completed her rodeo queen/ pageant career by competing in the Miss Rodeo USA pageant in 2022.
Marisa is now the owner and full time operator of The Bling Bandit, a western / boho online boutique that she started by making faux leather earrings in her bedroom to help fund her rodeo queen career.
Marisa also continues to rodeo extensively following the Bull Ride Mania and Sundance Arena rodeo schedule with her team of rodeo horses: Joe, Wyatt, Karma and Montana. Marisa has recently added Breakaway Roping to her skill set as well. Other than rodeo and rodeo queening she enjoys traveling to state parks to explore and trail ride with her fiance', Cody. Hanging out with her two dogs, Rocky and Bandit and spending time in her barn caring / riding her 7 horses.
Vice President
Meet Jodi Kurtz.
Jodi was born and raised in central PA where she currently resides with her husband and 3 sons. She grew up on the back of a horse and spent many weekends during her formative years at rodeos and barrel races. While competing in the Pennsylvania High School Rodeo Assoc. she was a 2 time
national qualifier for breakaway calf roping. She also raised and showed beef cattle.
Jodi’s passion has shifted to the canine species. She owns and operates a grooming salon as well as breeds Mini and Toy Aussies. Jodi contributes her drive and determination to the life experiences her parents provided through involvement in the agricultural industry. She believes that MKSR offers young ladies many of the same opportunities to refine skills such as public speaking, professionalism, confidence, positivity and ambassadorship that will benefit them throughout their lives and she’s excited to be a mentor for ladies that cross MKSR's path.
Secretary
Meet Michaela Heimbach.
Michaela is 24 years old and resides in Millmont, Pennsylvania. She grew up riding her grandparents trail horses which then sparked her interest in rescuing horses. She would take the horses in that needed some TLC, rehabilitate them, and help them find new loving homes. Michaela is also the owner of a western boutique called Moonlit Ranch & Boutique.
Michaela is very excited to join the MKSR Executive Board, she believes in helping the younger generation build self confidence, along with helping them build skills that will continue to help them be successful and professional even after their time here with us at MKSR.
Pageant Coordinator
Dea, was born in Ohio however she was raised in Northern California where she grew up in a preacher's family. Dea started her horse riding journey as a teen competing in barrels and gymkhana events. Which grew her passion for the animal and the sport of riding! She bought her first horse when she was a young adult, followed by gaining the responsibility of becoming a 4-H leader. Around this time is when she entered the rodeo scene, carrying sponsorship flags and even riding a few bulls in her day at local rodeos. Dea then met and married her husband, Troy. He rode bareback broncs and team roped on the heading side! After they married, they moved to Troy’s home state of Pennsylvania. Dea currently lives on The Diamond W Ranch in Honey Grove, Pennsylvania. She has 4 daughters who have been involved in 4H, FFA, have shown livestock locally, state wide, nationally and even at international shows. Dea’s daughters have also competed and won Queen titles as Fair Queens, Agriculture Queens and Rodeo Queens. Both Dea and her husband are strong supporters of the sport of Rodeo and the Western way of life. We support Rodeo athletes, both human and livestock and have instilled that same strong beliefs in our family. Dea is a strong advocate for the sport of rodeo, and loves helping the young women involved in it.