Board Members

Barry Jones

Barry is Indiana PTA’s current President. He has served as treasurer at Tekoppel Elementary, handled membership for the Evansville Council in the Southern Region, and served as a field service representative for ISPTA.

He got involved with PTA in 2000, starting a basketball program at Tekoppel. The program serves more than 250 kids out of 400 total enrollments each year. He also sits on the Wish Upon a Star board.

Expertise:

Membership Training
Areas available: Southern Region, Southern Council, Convention.
Email: bjones@indianapta.org

Sharon Wise

Sharon is currently serving on the state board again after taking time off for other needs. We are glad to have her back. She was a member of Stonybrook MS and Warren Central HS where she served as President. She has been treasurer of Stonybrook, Warren Central and Brookview Elementary as well as 1st VP for all three school PTAs. She has also served in the position of 2nd VP and multiple chair positions in her PTA career.

Expertise:

Awards
Bylaws
Membership
President’s Training
Treasurer”s Training
Leadership Training

Areas Available: Central Region, Central Council, Convention, Statewide
Email: swise@indianapta.org
Phone: (317) 753-3197

Theresa Distelrath

Theresa Distelrath
Theresa Distelrath currently resides in Fort Wayne, with her husband, Tony Distelrath and two sons, Andrew (14) and Michael (11). She has been involved in the PTA for almost 10 years and has held a plethora of positions. At the local level, Theresa has held the following positions: membership chair, legislative chair, secretary, vice president and president. At the council level, she has served in the following positions: member at large, vice president, and currently the president of the Fort Wayne Area Council. At the state level, Theresa has held the following positions: Secretary, Resolution chair, State Legislative Chair, and Issues Commission.

Expertise:

Legislation
Bylaws
Secretary Training

Areas Available: NE Region, NE Council, Convention
Email: tdistelrath@indianapta.org
Phone: (260) 466-4351

Pat Taylor

Pat, a member of PTA since 1974, became very active when her second set of children started school in 1988. She has served elementary, MS/HS, and council from committees to all office positions. During her term as Hammond Council President, they received the Outstanding Council Award of 1999. During her Presidentsy of Gavit MS/HS PTSA, they received the NW Region Honor Unit Award both years. Pat is currently Secretary for council and Webmaster for Hammond Council PTA and Gavit PTSA.. As a member of the State Board of Managers for 13 years, she has served as Field Service Rep, Council Coordinator and Retention Commission Chair and Webmaster. Pat served on the Awards, Bylaws, Marketing/PR, Membership, and Online Services committees. She is currently a member of the PR/Marketing Committee working on the website. Pat is a member of the Hammond Education Foundation since 1997 and helps with their website.

Pat was honored with a Life membership in 1992, Hammond Council Outstanding PTA Volunteer in 2002 and with a National Life Achievement Award in 2003.

Expertise:

Leadership
President’s Packet
Treasurer
Websites
Bylaws

Areas Available: NW Region- Gary, Mishawaka, LaPorte, Hammond, Hammond Council, Convention
Email: ptaylor@indianatpta.org
Phone: (219) 844-3290

Kendra Rakestraw

Kendra currently serves as Treasurer of Indiana PTA and Evansville Council. She has been a member of Tekoppel ES, Helfrich Park MS, Oakhill MS and Reitz HS. Kendra joined PTA when her son was in grade school and became an officer when he went to middle school and held an office until he graduated in 2010 – because she wanted to help and participate.

Kendra has received an Indiana PTA Lifetime Achievements Award. She was a Cub Scout Leader for many years. Kendra’s son, Adam is now in college and she is working 4 other jobs at this time in accounting.

Expertise:

Treasurer
Bylaws
Budget

Areas Available: Southern Region, Southern Council, Convention
Email: krakestraw@indianatpta.org
Phone: (812) 491-6837