Our Great City

Jean Keener, Founder of Keener Financial, provides advice on picking the right financial advisor for you

Judy and Don Youngs moved to Keller in early 2007 after spending almost 20 years in “retirement” at Cedar Creek Lake . Their “retirement” included Judy being named publisher of the local newspaper and Don President of the chamber of commerce. Realizing that leisure lake living was a myth, they decided to move back to the metroplex and, after months of searching for just the right location in just the right town, they decided on Keller. And they haven’t looked back since.

Both Judy and Don became involved and engaged in the community and were tapped by Rocky Top Therapy Center Founder/President Doug Newton as co-directors of development for the therapeutic riding center located in central Keller. Recently, Judy was named Executive Director of the Center, sharing responsibilities with Newton, for the not-for-profit organization which provides therapeutic riding, Hippotherapy and equine facilitated psychotherapy services to children and adults with physical and mental challenges. The center also serves at-risk youth through the Right TRAIL™ program, in collaboration with area school districts and private organizations, and its Cowboy Challenge Course, which offers leadership training, team building and development for businesses, educators, schools, churches and scout groups.

New to Rocky Top is the Horses for Heroes program designed to meet the needs of returning military warriors and their families. Horses for Heroes incorporates therapeutic riding and equine assisted psychotherapy to address the mental and physical challenges that arise for service men and women who have suffered trauma in the line of duty.

Judy currently serves on the board of trustees of Metroport Meals On Wheels, Inc., a nonprofit grassroots volunteer organization advocating for the elderly and those in need through home-delivered meals, senior center lunch and activity programs, and other support services. Judy is also an advocate for children. She helped form CASA programs in three East Texas counties, and served two terms on the Texas CASA board of directors. Her involvement and leadership in numerous community and civic organizations earned her the designation as "Citizen of the Year" by The Greater Cedar Creek Lake Chamber of Commerce in 1998. Judy is a native Texan, born in Johnson County, and now residing in Keller, TX, with her husband Don.

Don was born and raised in southern Louisiana and believes in the Cajun philosophy of life … “laissez les bon temps rouler” … let the good times roll! For the past 26+ years, Don has been an entrepreneur and consultant for both nonprofit and for profit organizations, in addition to consulting with clients in the affordable housing industry. After years of weekly domestic and international travel, Don has given up the title “road warrior” and now prefers to spend his air time cruising the internet in search of funding for Rocky Top and his affordable housing clients.

Married almost 30 years, Don and Judy’s blended family includes three sons and one daughter-in-law – spread out between Denver, Colorado; Tyler and Arlington, Texas – and two perfect grandchildren -- Josie, age 5, and Aidan, age 3 months. Self-described “gourmands” they enjoy cooking AND eating and spending time with family and friends. They are members of First United Methodist Church of Keller.

So when you see the Youngs out in Keller at Rocky Top or one of their many activities, be sure to say Hi to our "Family of the Month" and tell them you read about them on OurGreatCity.com!

A free competition for boys and girls, ages 8 to 15, will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the Keller Sports Park. Kids are invited to come showcase their punting, passing and kicking ablilites. Winners can advance through four levels of competition, all the way to the National Finals at an NFL team stadium. For information, visit the NFL's Punt, Pass & Kick official Web site.

Rocky Top Therapy Center will officially kick off the Horses for Heroes program with a Thank You Celebration honoring MAG41 and the 14th Marines on September 12, 2009 at the Rocky Top Ranch. Horses for Heroes utilizes Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Riding to address many of the challenges that arise for veterans who have suffered emotional trauma and/or physical disabilities in the line of duty. These programs help them adjust physically and mentally to their post-war lives. Additionally, these programs are available to spouses, children and families of veterans.