The TPAAK Board of Directors is the governing body for the Academy. Their regular public meeting is the second Wednesday of every month at 4pm in the school's Board room. Additional meetings are occasionally scheduled and all meeting agendas are posted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting on the outside of the CAO’s door in the front lobby and at the front door to the school. Meeting dates and times are subject to change with notice.
The Board’s role is that of governance, policy, oversight and strategic planning. TPAAK has contracted with Mosaica Education, Inc. for general management of the school and its curriculum design.
TPAAK Founder - (Not a member of the board)
Annette W. Riesel of Fort Collins is the founder of T.R. Paul Academy of Arts and Knowledge. Since 1998, she has co-founded two K-8 charter schools and an early-college charter high school in addition to TPAAK. She also served at an inner city Denver charter school, where she was principal during its start-up year. Prior to founding TPAAK, she worked with a leading nonprofit organization that assisted with charter school development.
When she first moved to Colorado in 1974, Ms. Riesel taught in a private K-12 boarding school for 6-1/2 years for at-risk children. In addition, she taught at Aims Community College for 3-1/2 years. As part of a career shift, she became publisher of a community newspaper group serving the Front Range for 17 years before re-entering education as a charter school developer.
TPAAK Board of Directors
Merinda Bennett (President) is a native to Loveland, CO. Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from CU-Boulder. She is the construction manager for City of Loveland, Parks and Recreation Department. She is also involved in continuing her father’s tax service business. Her two children have attended TPAAK since 2006. Her hobbies are quilting, scrapbooking and learning to fly fish with her husband.
She can be reached at jmjrbennett@msn.com
Barry Eastman (Treasurer) is a parent of three children who lives in Loveland. He currently serves as a Vice President at FRII in Fort Collins. He is a Senior Investment Professional with CFS Investments serving businesses and families and helps individuals build investment businesses. He is active in church, Cub Scouts and soccer.
He can be reached at tommyboy@frii.com
Donna Westover works at Colorado State University in the Division of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives which is the Development Unit of the University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Law/Political Science from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA and a M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix, Lonetree, CO. Donna is also an author of an inspirational fiction series set in the mid-1800 Colorado Territory entitled Mysterious Ways. Donna has three daughters, three sons-in-law, two grandsons, and two boxers.
She can be reached at drgallup@comcast.net
Dr. Michael Hughes is a parent of 3 children. He received his undergraduate at Utah Valley University and went on to pursue his doctorate degree in Chiropractic from Parker College of Chiropractic. He is a licensed chiropractor in the state of Colorado. He also runs a pre-paid legal services and identity theft marketing agency across North America. In addition, Dr. Hughes specializes in working with other business owners consulting them on how to build a successful home-based business.
He can be reached at dr.mikehughes@gmail.com
Lara Kelleher (Vice President) is the parent of three children at TPAAK. Two of her children have attended TPAAK for the last three years and her youngest son will be in the TPAAK preschool in March. Ms. Kelleher holds a degree in English Literature with a minor in Political Science from Colorado State University. Ms. Kelleher is active at TPAAK, volunteering and serving on the Board. She enjoys reading, writing, and cooking, and is currently developing a line of specialty gourmet products.
She can be reached at kelleher33@lpbroadband.net
