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 Lay Leader and Sunday school teacher 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.

Staley Gray, Treasurer
Staley Gray of Austin is a “soccer mom” who can be found most days either driving the carpool to soccer or on the sidelines cheering the team. Recently, she was President of the PTA at O. Henry Middle School, co-chaired Mustang Round-up, chaired Mustang Field Day, and served as a regular seller at the O. Henry school store. Other PTA positions have included Vice President of Communications, Book Fair Co-Chair, Track & Field Chair, and Hospitality Chair. At Casis Elementary, Staley taught Spanish, provided Second Step instruction, chaired carnival booths, and sold pizza in the cafeteria. She holds a bachelor of business administration from The University of Texas at Austin, and earlier in her career she worked for a large mortgage company. This business background helps Staley in her appointed role as a taxpayer representative on the Community Bond Oversight Committee for Austin ISD’s $519 million bond package passed in 2004. Staley is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Austin, Pi Beta Phi alumna, and a Sunday school teacher at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.  She and her husband, Jack, 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 serves on the board of directors of 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. Her memberships include Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae, Junior League of Dallas, Northwood Woman’s Club, and League of Women Voters. 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. 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.

Dinah Miller
Dinah Miller of Dallas is actively involved in her children’s PTAs in the Richardson ISD. This year she is serving on her son’s elementary school PTA board. 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 Sunday school teacher at First United Methodist Church of Richardson. 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.

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. In 2008, Manuel was elected to the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of School Boards. 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 served as a part-time Community Relations Specialist in the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department's Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations. A computer specialist in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1977, he is also the founder and president of the MARVAA Corporation, which provides assistance in education, housing, and community involvement. He 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.