Texas Parent PAC Leadership

Carolyn Boyle, Chair
Carolyn Boyle of Austin is a long-time advocate for children and neighborhood schools. She was a PTA leader in the Austin Independent School District for 13 years, including serving as President of the Doss Elementary PTA and member of the Executive Committees of the Murchison Middle School PTSA, Anderson High School PTSA, and McCallum High School PTSA. Carolyn also represented parents on Campus Advisory Councils at three schools. During 1997-2005 she was Coordinator of the Coalition for Public Schools, which is comprised of 40 organizations that oppose using public money for private school tuition vouchers. She earned bachelor and master of arts degrees in journalism from The University of Texas at Austin. Earlier in her career, Carolyn held communications and marketing positions with the Texas Education Agency, state and national education organizations, Brackenridge Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Austin. She is a volunteer with Foundation for the Homeless Interfaith Hospitality Network/Family Promise, member of Alpha Delta Pi alumnae and United Methodist Women, and Sunday school teacher and former Lay Leader at Saint John’s United Methodist Church. In addition, she was a Girl Scout leader for 13 years. Carolyn and her husband, Jim, have one daughter.

Dinah Miller, Vice-Chair
Dinah Miller of Dallas is involved in her children’s PTAs at Parkhill Junior High School and Richardson High School in the Richardson ISD. Past PTA positions include twice serving as Prestonwood Elementary 2nd Vice President, School Carnival Chair, 4th Vice President Programs, Legislative Action Chair, twice Parkhill Junior High Council Delegate, and Hospitality Chair. Dinah began participating in legislative advocacy on behalf of parents in 2003, and in 2005 she testified before the Texas House Committee on Public Education. A graduate of Texas Tech University, she holds a bachelor of arts in advertising. In her career preceding motherhood, she worked in newspaper advertising sales and later was director of advertising for what was the largest specialty home fitness equipment retailer in the nation at the time. She was a member of the Junior League of Richardson and a Girl Scout assistant leader. Dinah is a member of the Dallas Women’s Investment Network and a member of Leadership Texas 2008 class. She is a regular golfer, and one of her favorite annual volunteer activities is being a walking scorer at the Byron Nelson PGA tournament, the largest charity tournament on the tour. Dinah and her husband, Scott, have a son and daughter. They are members of First United Methodist Church of Richardson.

Staley Gray, Treasurer
As the parent of three children who attended Austin public schools, Staley Gray held a variety of volunteer positions through the years. A few of the commitments include O. Henry Middle School PTA President, Co-Chair of Mustang Round-Up, multi-year chair of Mustang Field Day, regular Bookstore and Book Fair volunteer. Other PTA positions held include Book Fair Co-Chair at Casis Elementary, Campus Advisory Council member at Casis and O. Henry, Casis Track and Field Chair, Casis Book Fair Co-Chair, and Casis  and O. Henry Hospitality Chair. Additionally, she volunteered numerous years at Casis as a Spanish teacher and participated in Second Step instruction and pizza sales for the cafeteria. Staley graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of business administration degree and spent her early career working for a large mortgage company. Her interest and commitment to public schools earned her an appointment to the Austin ISD Community Bond Oversight Committee for the $519 million bond package passed in 2004. Staley is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Austin, Junior Helping Hand member, and a Sunday school teacher at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. She is married to Jack and they have three children.

Pam Meyercord, Secretary
Pam Meyercord of Dallas is one of the state’s most well-known child advocates, a PTA leader, and committed civic volunteer. Her two-year term as statewide President of the Texas PTA concluded in 2006, and she currently holds leadership positions with the National PTA. Pam’s PTA leadership began in Dallas ISD schools, where she was PTA president at John J. Pershing Elementary and Benjamin Franklin Middle School, and later served as Dallas ISD PTA Council President for two terms. In addition, she served on the 2002 Dallas ISD School Bond Election Steering Committee. She holds a bachelor of science in special education from the University of Oklahoma. Pam is a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon. In 2009, she is president of Northwood Woman's Club and on the board of directors for Mental Health America of Greater Dallas. Pam has held many leadership positions in Dallas community organizations, including past president of Big Thought (formerly Young Audiences of North Texas); board member for Children’s Arts in Education Fund, Inc.; Action Vice President for League of Women Voters; President of Partnership for Arts, Culture and Education; president of Women’s Council of Dallas County, Texas, Inc.; Advisory Board Secretary for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts; and Advisory Board of Museum of Natural History. Her memberships include Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae, Junior League of Dallas, Northwood Republican Women's Club, and League of Women Voters. Pam and her husband, David, have three daughters.

Ellen Jones
Ellen Jones of Euless has served on the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD Board of Trustees since 2001. She has been a PTA leader for 15 years, including positions as President of the HEB Council of PTAs, Legislative Chair for Area 11, and President of the PTAs at Central Junior High and Wilshire Elementary School. Over the last 15 years Ellen has volunteered with the United Way and Tarrant County Youth Collaboration. Through the United Way, Ellen helped establish a teen leadership program called Teens Networking for Tomorrow. She has made hundreds of presentations throughout the state on the “40 Developmental Assets Philosophy” about raising children to be healthy, responsible, and caring citizens. After completing a bachelor of arts in chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin, Ellen taught junior high school in Austin for two years. She then completed a master of business administration at Texas Tech University and became a real estate banker. She is currently a math teacher at MacArthur High School in Irving. An active member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Ellen has served as youth minister and Sunday school teacher. She and her husband, Brad, have two daughters.

Darci Hubbard
Darci Hubbard of Houston enjoys serving her community and advocating for public schools. She actively volunteered and chaired activities at her daughter’s Spring Branch ISD elementary, middle, and high schools, most recently serving as vice president on the PTA Executive Board at Memorial High School. She is a recipient of the PTA Life Membership Award. Darci is a member of the Houston Junior Woman’s Club and has served on its Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, and Fundraising Board. She is a current member of the Houston Museum of Fine Art’s Bayou Bend Committee and past president of the Whispering Oaks Women’s Club. Professionally, Darci is a master’s level state licensed professional counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist.  She is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.  As a clinician, consultant, supervisor, and private practitioner, Darci has worked with organizations, children, groups, families and couples throughout the Houston area. Darci and her husband, Mark, have one daughter

Charles D. Olson
Charlie Olson of Waco has been a child and parent advocate and leader in public schools and higher education at the local, state and national levels. He was a member of the Waco ISD Board of Trustees for six years. Prior to that time, Charlie served a six-year term on the Board of Regents of the Texas State Technical College system. During his tenure on these boards, he was deeply involved in linking the interests of the Central Texas business community to the work of these educational institutions. He is an active member of the Waco Business League and the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce. As National President of Parents for Public Schools, he worked to improve and reform public education around the country through the engagement of parents in the decision-making processes of their children’s public schools. Charlie is a graduate of Southwestern University and holds a law degree from Baylor University School of Law. In Waco, he is a partner in the law firm of Haley & Olson. He is a founding member of DaySpring Baptist Church in Waco. Charlie and his wife, Kris, have two daughters.

Manuel Rodríguez, Jr.
Manuel Rodríguez, Jr. of Houston began advocating for schoolchildren a decade ago through leadership roles in Houstonians for Public Education, which later became known as Parents for Public Schools of Houston. He was elected to the Houston ISD Board of Education in 2003 and was board president in 2007, the same year he was re-elected unopposed. Currently, Manuel is an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of School Boards and president of the Mexican American School Board Members Association. He was a Parents for Public Schools national board member in 2000-2005. His awards include HISD Commendation for Meritorious Service, Deady Middle School Volunteer of the Year, and Community Service Award from the Texas House of Representatives for his long-time dedication in working with Houston youth. In 1997, Manuel served on Houston ISD's task force to review the state comptroller's audit of the district. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in social sciences from Solano Community College and studied organizational behavior management and marketing at the University of Houston. From 1998 through 2004, he was a part-time Community Relations Specialist in the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department's Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1977, he was a computer specialist and designated education NCO for the unit. He is also the founder and president of the MARVAA Corporation, which provides assistance in education, housing, and community involvement. Manuel was a board member for the Gulfgate Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone and the Hispanic Housing Education Committee. In addition, Manuel was alumni president for Austin High School and active in the Pecan Park Civic Association and St. Christopher Catholic Church. Manuel and his wife, Virginia, have four children.