Meet Our Team
Heath Wharton
Founder/CEO
Heath Wharton is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel and USAFA graduate from the class of 1995. Heath and his wife Rachel launched Mountains Move in 2020, in order to share the healing power of faith, wilderness and horses. He is a graduate of the USAF Weapons School and served in multiple overseas conflicts.
Heath has led backcountry expeditions for more than 7 years here in central Colorado, with extensive experience in Mountain Search & Rescue. He is a firm believer in pushing personal limits as well as the healing power of wilderness and equine experiences. His heart is for the hurting and lost, and he loves sharing the treasure of wilderness with others.
Richard Gideons
Board Member/Mentor
Rich Gideons is a retired SMSgt with 26 years active duty USAF, mostly serving as a Special Operations Weather Technician. Upon retiring, Rich pursued his teaching certification through Troops to Teachers and spent 13 years mentoring and teaching new enlisted and officer recruits in the art of operational weather forecasting. He now lives in NE Texas with his beautiful wife of 47 years. Rich feels called to teach and mentor others and is active in his community, church, and local prison ministry. Rich has a servant’s heart to compassionately help others find healing through knowing and living for the Lord, especially fellow veterans. He loves adventure, the outdoors, nature, and animals.
Keith Henderlong
Board Member/Mentor
Keith Henderlong is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel and USAFA graduate from the class of 1997. He served in OEF and OIF on active-duty as a C-17 Airdrop Instructor Pilot, in the Air National Guard as a Global Strike Air Operations Center Division Chief and Civil Engineering Squadron Commander. Keith and his wife Deborah currently live in Alabama and return to Colorado several times a year to enjoy the mountains. Keith is an avid outdoorsman who finds peace in God’s creation while hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, and camping. He is passionate about outdoor leadership and mentoring veterans to find their way with renewed purpose, balance, and connection with God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Rebecca Barton
Treasurer
Rebecca 'Becca' Barton is an experienced bookkeeper and outdoor enthusiast. Mother of two amazing kids, always upbeat and positive, 'Becca' has a true servant's heart and keeps our board laughing and seeing the big picture. She operates a small business in Merritt Island, Florida and loves hiking, fishing, and camping.
Meet Our Partners
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Princeton Pines Ranch
Princeton Pines Ranch provides the stables, training ground, and logistic support for Mountains Move and our Mustang Project.
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Safe Racks is a veteran-owned company providing the strongest, most durable solutions for garage storage and organization.
Redeemer Presbyterian Church
Redeemer Presbyterian Church serves the local Buena Vista community and supports Mountains Move through generous giving and volunteerism. Attend one of their services or listen to their podcast!
Meet Our Herd
Mountains Move believes in the power of horses. Mustang training solves local problems and provides abundant spiritual analogies for our Journey of faith. Through learning about horses and riding we often uncover truths about ourselves, our creator, and our communities. We are honored to care for and steward these animals as they help us achieve our vision as a ministry.
Skeeter
Chief Snacker
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Jack
Our "Eeyore"
Denali
Crazy horse (for now)
Carbon
Handsome Fella'
Lil' Bit
Sweet girl
Scout
Our fastest 'hiker'
Kenosha
Adventurer
Oliver
Gentle Soul