LPEF Board of Directors

Michael Barry, president:  Michael Barry is Vice President/MIS for Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union. Barry has worked in the financial industry for more than 15 years.  Barry received an Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston Clear Lake.  Barry also serves on the Heritage Elementary PTO and helps with the Deer Park Fireballs.  Barry is married to Amy and has one child, Andrew.

Johnna Bowen, president-elect:  Johnna Bowen is Quality Assurance Manager for Kaneka Texas Corporation.  Bowen has worked in the chemical industry for more than 20 years.  Bowen received an Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Ohio State University.

Kathy Booth, secretary:  Kathy Booth is Publication Specialist for the La Porte Independent School District.  Booth has worked in the education field for more than 5 years.  Booth is married to Michael and has one child, Victor.

Randall Boeding, vice president of finance:  Randy Boeding is executive vice president and site manager for Noltex LLC in La Porte. Boeding has worked in the chemical industry for more than 25 years. Boeding received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and business administration from Iowa Wesleyan College. Boeding is married to Patricia. Boeding is also, a current member of the board of directors for East Harris County Manufacturers Association and the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region.

Stephen L. Barr, treasurer:  Stephen Barr works for the City of La Porte's Parks and Recreation Department.  Barr has been in the Parks and Recreation industry for more than 29 years.  Barr received an Associate of Arts from Houston Community College, Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters of Public Administration from the University of Houston.  Barr is married to Marcy and has two children, Greg and Lauren.  Barr also serves as a board member for Precinct2Gether.

<Debra Machemehl, vice president of publicity:  An insurance representative for Texas State Optical, Debra Machemehl has been a resident of La Porte for 20 years. A dedicated volunteer to the La Porte Independent School District, she has served on the Campus Performance Objective Committee, District Education Improvement Committee, Parent Teacher Organization, Bond Referendum Committee and was the chair of the 2009 La Porte High School Project Graduation.

Debbie Wade, board vice president of fundraising:  Debbie Wade is retired and worked in the education field for more than 30 years.  Wade received an Associate of Arts degree from San Jacinto College Central.  Wade also serves on the La Porte Retired School Employees Association and the St. Mary's Catholic Church Greeters Ministry. Wade is married to Jeff and has two children, Craig and Jennifer.

Bob Murphy, vice president of allocations:  Bob Murphy is president of Kuraray. Murphy received a master of business administration degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati. Murphy is married and has two children. 

Julie Barclay Spears,vice president of career awareness:  Julie Barclay Spears is a graduate of Houston Baptist University with a double major in elementary education and early childhood education. Her parents, Harold and Janelle Barclay, were educators in La Porte ISD for more than 30 years. Spears taught first- and third-graders before retiring early to raise her four children.

Robin Vest, board immediate past president:  Former LPEF Board President Robin Vest is president and CEO of Vesco Business Products and Office Furniture. He has been with the company for more than 30 years. Vest’s community activities include serving on the board of directors of St. John’s Episcopal Church’s after-school program and Kid’s Count Foundation. He also is co-chairman for the small business committees for both the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. Vest, a graduate of the University of Houston.

Randall S. Clements:  Randy Clements is the unit manager for Crop Protection Chemicals at the DuPont – La Porte Site. Clements has worked in the chemical industry for more than 30 years.  Clements received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from The University of Houston. Clements has served as executive vice president of the La Porte Chamber of Commerce for the last four years.

Andrew Connolly:  Andrew Connolly is the La Porte Plant Manager works for Air Products and Chemicals Inc.  Connolly has been in the chemical industry for more than 20 years.  Connolly received an Bachelors of Engineering from Southampton University in the United Kingdom.  Connolly also serves as a treasurer for the La Porte Plant Manager Network and serves on the La Porte Community Advisory Council. 

Helen Crowder:  Helen Crowder, a long-time resident of La Porte, is president of the Bill & Helen Crowder Foundation. A charter member of St. John's Episcopal Church, she serves on the board of directors of the Salvation Army Pasadena Board and Neighborhood Center La Porte. Helen is an active member of the LaPorte Rotary Club and the LaPorte Chamber of Commerce. She is the proud parent of two LaPorte High School graduates.

Chuck Davis:  Chuck Davis is retired and worked in the education field for more than 25 years.  Davis received a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Louisiana State University and Masters of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University.  Davis also serves on the Texas Ornithological Society and Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. Davis is married to Collen and has two children, Jennifer and Matthew.

Herman D. Glasco:  A native of San Antonio, Herman Glasco moved to La Porte in 1976 and spent 25 years working as a chemical operator for Lubrizol Corp. Along with a friend, he established a mentoring partnership with La Porte Elementary School. During his time as a mentor, he was named volunteer of the year. Glasco also is a director of the La Porte Neighborhood Center.

James Griffin:  Jim Griffin is the site manager for Dianal America in Pasadena. Griffin has worked in the chemical industry for more than 20 years. Griffin received a bachelor of science degree in industrial education and a masters degree in safety and environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Griffin also serves as chairman of The East Harris Couny Manufacturing Association and numerous other boards in the Houston area. Griffin is married to Patty and has twin daughters.a

Barbara Jenks:  A native of Illinois, Barbara Jenks relocated to La Porte more than 30 years ago and has been a member of the LPEF board since its inception in 1994. Jenks’ professional career spans more than three decades in finances and investing. Jenks is a graduate of Parkland College in Champaign, Ill. Her two children are proud graduates of the La Porte Independent School District.

Gloria Lair:  Gloria Lair is the owner of Main Street Embroidery Shop in La Porte.

Craig Montgomery

Bob Pizzitola:  A second-generation native of La Porte, Bob Pizzitola is one of the founders of Bayshore Financial Advisors. Pizzitola’s extensive career spans both the commercial banking and financial advising industries. A lifelong volunteer, he is active with La Porte Rotary Club, La Porte Neighborhood Centers, the Chamber of Commerce and various local youth organizations.

Jim Schul:  Jim Schul works Chief Information Officer for the Harris County Department of Education. Schul has been in the chemical industry for more than 20 years. Schul received his degree from Alfred State College in New York. Schul is married and has four children.

Paula Swearingen

EX-OFFICIO

Terri Cook, foundation executive director:  La Porte High School grad Terri Cook is the public information officer and director of public relations and the education foundation for the La Porte Independent School District. Prior to joining the District in 2008, Cook worked with the Goose Creek ISD and Lee College. A graduate of the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Cook is on the board of directors of La Porte Neighborhood Center and a monthly feature writer and volunteer for Sidelines. Cook and her husband are parents to three sons.

Charlcya Wheeler, board vice president of community engagement:  Charlcya Wheeler is a member of the board of trustees for the La Porte Independent School District.

Lloyd W. Graham:  Lloyd Graham is the superintendent of schools for the La Porte Independent School District. His expertise in education administration has been recognized many times with his being named 1994 State Regular Educator of the Year by the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education, 1999 Regional Superintendent of the Year for Educational Service Center XIII and finalist for the 1999 State Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards. Graham is active with Hunt County Head Start, Texas Association of Mid-Size Schools, Texas Academic Decathlon and Texas Association of School Administrators. Prior to joining the La Porte ISD, he was superintendent of schools for Greenville ISD.