PrideRock’s mission is to aid in the prevention of animal cruelty by providing a home for unwanted and abused wild animals. Each accepted animal is given our solemn promise to be safe and cared for during the remainder of their lives. Big cats, bears, and other exotic wildlife were never intended to be pets, which has often led to a tragic end for the animal, the owner, or both.
We spare no expense to provide anything possible for our animals’ well-being, and in order for us to accomplish our mission, we must create enclosures for each species of animal that calls PrideRock home. These enclosures include recreational and enrichment areas to help maintain the activity requirements for the health of the individual species. Each animal receives species-specific diets and nutritional supplements as needed, and veterinary care is also available.
It’s not enough to just take care of our animals, as we see that it’s also our duty to educate the public and spread the word as to why we exist. While PrideRock is a private facility and not open to the public, we provide educational opportunities through different programs, internships, group projects, and volunteering.
PrideRock Wildlife Refuge is a non-profit that provides permanent sanctuary and shelter for mistreated and unwanted wild animals. Situated on approximately 10 acres of land east of Dallas, TX, PrideRock is home to big cats, wolf hybrids, bears, a hyena, and numerous rescued dogs. Owners, Gary and Carol Holliman, opened the animal sanctuary in 1992 when they stumbled upon and rescued a young cougar cub name Cayman. This experience opened their eyes to the plight of exotic cats in captivity and thus ignited their desire to find a place for abused, abandoned, neglected confiscated and unwanted animals. (To read more about Carol and Gary’s story, click here.)
Over the past 30 years, PrideRock has conducted rescues from California to West Virginia and has housed more than 70 animals. All of this is made possible by public support, volunteers, and donations.
PrideRock is a proud member of the American Sanctuary Association and a member of Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance. Since 2017, PrideRock has been awarded the “Top Nonprofit” badge by GreatNonprofits every year and was just recognized again in 2022.
Board Member
With over 30 years of experience working with companies, individuals, and law firms, Matt has provided management expertise and oversight, business advice, and legal counsel to a wide array of companies, corporate managers, and investors. Through the course of his career, he has worked in law firms of all sizes and has founded and operates his own firm. Matt also has served in a wide range of roles on the corporate front, including CEO, COO, President, Vice President of Sales, Director, Board Chairman, corporate secretary, and General Counsel. These roles have included companies of all sizes and in many disparate industries, from consumer products to drug development to artificial turf. Matt also serves as a managing partner and general counsel for Invicta Funds, LLC.
Matt received his Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University. Matt and his wife Andrea are passionate about animal rescue, volunteering with local dog rescues. They also both have had a long affinity with Pride Rock, that goes back many years.
Board Member
A love of animals, the outdoors, and a keen eye for photographic composition help Nancy in her work, whether one on one, or in an environment with multiple subjects. She has worked her trade at various wildlife sanctuaries and refuges, including PrideRock Wildlife Refuge in Terrell, Texas; Out Of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde, Arizona; and S.O.S. Care in Valley Center, California. Her photographic work has appeared in the May/June, July/August, and September/October 2014 issues of the Feline Conservation Federation Journal, as well as multiple issues of the Fountain Hills Times. She is driven by a love of animals of all kinds, big and small. In 2014 Nancy was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Basic Husbandry of Wild/Exotic Felines by the Feline Conservation Federation. Nancy lives in beautiful Fountain Hills, Arizona with her two furry kids.
mzmriz@usa.net
Landscape Maintenance
stevenhagy@gmail.com
Assistant Animal Keeper
blewis_20@yahoo.com
Marketing Director
kayla@priderock.org
Operations Manager
coreyafeline@gmail.com
Board Member
Growing up in Rhode Island, Ms. Ohmann was a member and instructor at the Rhode Island Ballet Arts Academy. She also danced for 7 years with the state ballet group, Festival Ballet of Rhode Island. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree from Rhode Island College.
Several years later she relocated to Texas a with her company in Terrell, TX, previously known as Vistawall, now Oldcastle Building Envelope and still works there in Human Resources. She is a member of the National Chapter of SHRM, Society for Human Resource Management and Trinity Valley Human Resource Association. She holds an Advanced Certificate in Human Resources from S.M.U., Southern Methodist University. In her business role she provides full Human Resource and Leadership Development support for several locations of her organization including the main office in Terrell.
For many years she was on the Board of Directors for the Terrell Chamber of Commerce and during that time served on their Executive Board for Economic Development. As part of her Chamber experiences, she was instrumental in bringing the program “Work in Terrell” to success. As a result she traveled to Austin with the Chamber, City and other business leaders to accept the State of Texas Economic & Workforce Development award. Carol started the School to Work-School to Life program with the Terrell I.S.D. and local businesses to bring students and businesses together to help build skills and careers. She and her business are avid supporters of the Terrell Career and Technology program. During her tenure with the Chamber and continuing today, she is involved with and volunteers for various community and charitable activities.
Carol has been on the Board of Directors for T.A.E.A, Terrell Alliance for Education and the Arts since 2002. As part of this board she was a founding member of the E!Terrell Performing Arts Series which brings a diverse set of performances each year for the Terrell and surrounding communities as well as educational experiences and outreach for the local school districts.
Ms. Ohmann is very honored to be asked recently to join the Board of Directors of Pride Rock Wildlife Refuge. This is a wonderful organization committed to providing permanent sanctuary and shelter to mistreated and unwanted wild animals, primarily lions, tigers, cougars, bears and wolves. She is very excited and looking forward to helping with these successful and noble efforts.
cohmann@obe.com
Board Member
Andrea is an Animal SensAbility Master, Healing Touch for Animals Practitioner, a Shamballa (MDH) Reiki Practitioner, Natural Earth Medicine Healer, gifted Communicator, and an Intuitive Counselor for pets and their people. She provides a gentle touch and holistic approach that influences the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of all kinds of animals through energy, connection and intention. Andrea is also an experienced volunteer wildlife medic and rehabber. She holds a certificate in basic felid husbandry of wild/exotic felines through the Feline Conservation Federation. Andrea resides in Fountain Hills, AZ with her beloved English bulldog, Jack.
critterdoc1@cox.net
Board Member
Tom joined the PrideRock Wildlife Refuge Board of Directors in November 2016. He is the president of Texas Lamp Manufacturing, a third-generation, family-owned business since 1946. Tom is a native of Dallas and attended Texas A&M University. Tom also serves on the board of The Share Center in Kaufman County.
txlamp@airmail.net
Board Member
espo@asvfd.org
Board Member
Carlton joined the Chamber staff in March 2010 as Vice President. Carlton attended Abilene Christian University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and holds a Certificate of Continuing Education from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and the University of Arizona’s Institute of Management. Carlton is a member of the Texas Economic Development Council, Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives, serves on the Board of Directors for Star Transit, Kaufman County Crimestoppers, and is the Kaufman County representative on the North Central Texas Workforce Board.
carlton@terrelltexas.com
Board Member
Tricia Smith is a dynamic, highly motivated, compassionate professional with a demonstrated track record of success; uniquely combining sales management, team building and corporate vision. Tricia has devoted her life to the ultimate goal of acting as a Community Advocate and Master Consensus Builder. A confident decision maker and effective problem solver; she has been able to work independently or as an integral part of a team effort.
triciadsmith@gmail.com
President & CEO
hollimang@gmail.com
Board Member
Wildlife Refuge with her husband in 1992, (formerly Pride & Pack) and became Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer when it became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in 1998. She attended Abilene Christian University and Southern Methodist University and obtained a paralegal certificate. She currently works at Jackson Walker, LLP in the Dallas Arts District. Her true passion is caring for her animals at PrideRock which are the loves of her life.
cholliman@priderock.org
