Staff

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Donna L. Hood, Owner

Business Woman, Cowgirl, Friend

Donna began her education at Harcum College in 1974, majoring in Medical Technology. Upon receiving an A.A. degree, Cum Laude, she continued to Villanova for a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology.

Post-graduation, Donna started as a laboratory technician in quality control at Cappel Labs, Inc. in Cochranville, PA. Donna's attention to detail was quickly recognized and she was promoted to technical buyer.

In 1982, she was instrumental in establishing a new company, Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc. She married her husband Ralph the same year. Jackson began as a small biotech company supplying immunological reagents for the research community. Specializing in secondary antibodies, Jackson has grown from five to over 60 employees and is considered a leader in the field of antibody manufacturing. Donna's responsibilities ranged from "Lab Tech" to "Chief Financial Officer" of the company.

Donna's extensive community service began in 1986. Initially joining Lions Club International as the first woman in the club, she was a leader and contributor of many organizations as an ambassador for the business. She took leadership roles in all of the following:

• Past President, Lions Club International of Kennett Square, PA and recipient of Melvin Jones Award
• Past President, Kennett Run Charities
• Past Officer, Kennett Square Business and Professional Women's Club
• Past President, Kennett Area Senior Center
• Past President, Revitalization Task Force of Kennett Square
• Past Corporate Board of Director, YMCA of the Greater Brandywine Valley
• Past Mentor, Chester County Futures
• Past Recipient of the "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" for Southern Chester County, 1998
• Past President & Chairman of the Board, Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
• Past Board of Director, Chester County Economic Development Council
• Past Board of Director, Kennett Symphony of Chester County
• Past Co-Chair for the startup of the Cultural Alliance of Kennett Square
• Past Auditor for Newlin Township

In 1996, she started a retail women's shoe business in Kennett Square. Partnering with her sister and employing her father, "My Sister's Shoes" was a vibrant part of the Kennett Square business community for seven years.

1998 brought Donna to the Wet Mountain Valley of Westcliffe, Colorado to visit a business associate. It was love at first sight and Donna has never really left the area since. In 2004, a working horse ranch was purchased in the valley and another business venture began. Donna retired from Jackson ImmunoResearch Labs, Inc. in the spring of 2008 to concentrate fully on growing "A Painted View Ranch" into the world class facility it is today. In 2023, A Painted View Ranch celebrates nineteen years of successful business as a working horse ranch and an event center.

It did not take Donna long to become involved in her new community of Westcliffe, including:

• Past 2015 Ride the Rockies Finish Line Coordinator
• Past President, Custer County Chamber of Commerce
• Past Secretary, Custer County Republican Central Committee
• Member of Wet Mountain Rotary Club
• Recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award
• Member of the Paul Harris Society
• Past Assistant Treasurer, Wet Mountain Valley Rotary Club
• Two-time President of the Wet Mountain Valley Rotary Club
• Past Treasurer, Custer County Economic Development Corporation
• Past President, Custer County Cattle Women's Association
• Past Board of Director, Western States Cutting Horse Association
• Past Treasurer & Co-Chair, Economic Restructuring for CART
• Past Member, Wet Mountain Valley Saddling Club
• Treasurer, Custer County Economic Development Corporation
• Past Secretary, Wet Mountain Valley Rotary Club
• Past Treasurer & Board Member, The Nokota® Horse Conservancy
• Past President of the Wet Mountain Valley Rotary Club
• Assistant Governor, Rotary District 5470
• Treasurer, Rotary International District 5470
• Chair of Friends of NRA Westcliffe Chapter
• Ambassador for 28 years and counting for Aruba
• Treasurer, Way of the Equine Warrior

She enjoys oil painting, music, hunting, traveling, dressing in period clothing and preserving western heritage through the activities of her ranch while being an active citizen in Custer County. Donna was elected to the position of Custer County Commissioner, District 3. After serving in that capacity for eleven months, Donna met strong opposition to her platform policies trying to make a difference in the county, and thus ended her term in office in 2017.

In 2018, Donna was able to fulfill another love and passion for the West by acquiring a beautiful adobe home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was introduced to the Nokota^® Horse and acquired 19 horses to become a preservation breeder.

She started her breeding program in 2021. She is enjoying the nature, peace, and tranquility of those surroundings along with her four border collies and two cats.

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