Barbara Conroy

Co-founder & President

Barb is a former public school elementary teacher who now enjoys volunteering in the classroom and with the PTA. As a classroom teacher, Barb regularly applied for teacher grants through the education foundation serving the school where she worked. Barb and her husband live in Cary with their two daughters who both attend Laurel Park ES.

Brian Adkins

Vice President

Brian is an engineer and IT executive with a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech. Since retiring in 2020, he has been volunteering with nonprofits nationwide to help them adopt new technology to make their operations run easily, efficiently, and inexpensively. Brian has lived in Apex since 1999 with his wife, Deanna. They have three children, Sam, James, and Zoe who have all attended Apex-area public schools.

Tony Kline

Treasurer

Tony is the co-owner of 360 Painting Apex & Chapel Hill, along with his wife. Previously, he served as a school administrator for 13 years in both California and Missouri and was COO of United Way of Greater Kansas City. In addition to running his business, he provides school finance consulting services. Tony has served on numerous non-profit boards and has raised more than $7 million for public schools in his career. His wife, Lisa Kline, is the 2023-24 president of the Apex Middle School Band Boosters. They have two sons at Apex Middle and one son at Apex Elementary.

Michelle Woods

Secretary

Michelle is an educational consultant with RTI International and has over 18 years experience in education. She works with school districts, schools, and teachers around the country who are committed to creating equitable access and improved outcomes for students. Michelle is also a certified Authentic Leadership Coach and the owner of Woods Life Coaching, based in Apex, NC. Michelle has lived in Apex since 2009 with her husband Chris, their two teenage boys, and their yellow lab Chewie.

Diane Talley

Teacher Grants Chair

Diane is a contract psychometrician with Facebook and independent consultant with Talley Consulting, LLC. She holds a Ph.D. in educational measurement from UNC Chapel Hill. In the field of measurement, Diane has focused her career on industry credentialing programs and IT education and assessment. Her passion in these industries is performance-based testing and education and assessment innovations. Diane has lived in Cary, NC for three years and has two students in Apex Public Schools (AMS/AHS).

Jack Otepka

Fundraising Chair

Jack is the owner of 621 Productions, LLC in downtown Apex. He has held many board positions over the years - most recently as Vice President of the Apex Downtown Business Association. Jack strives to help local schools and the community in any way he can. He is married and has two children that attend Wake County Public Schools.

Jennifer Job

Communications Chair

Jennifer is principal at BreakGlass Strategies, an online advocacy and fundraising firm. She holds a Ph.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill in Culture, Curriculum, and Change, and she was a professor of Teacher Education at Oklahoma State University, as well as an English teacher at Chapel Hill High School, Carrboro High School, and Walworth Barbour American International School. She lives in Apex with her husband, Steven, and daughter, Hannah, as well as her parents, two dogs, and a rabbit.

David Yetter

Director

David is an actuary with the North Carolina Department of Insurance. He is a former school board member (Yukon, Oklahoma) and is married to a WCPSS Speech Pathologist. He and his wife have two sons attending Apex area public schools.

Leslie Lockhart

Director

Leslie is the owner of local community engagement and marketing platform, Positively Apex! She loves all things Apex, including the Apex Public School Foundation. She helps spread the word about good things going on in Apex, and plans many events in the area monthly. She has helped with previous APSF events like the Are You Smarter Than an Apex Student? night, and is thrilled to be on the board. She lives with her husband Jim, daughter, and four cats! Cats are like an addiction in the Lockhart household these days, but the inn is now full!

Andre L. Smith

Director

Andre is an accomplished educational leader with a Master of School Administration from Western Carolina University and a Bachelor of Science in Fitness and Wellness from Oakwood University. As the Assistant Principal at Hilburn Academy since August 2018, Andre has a wealth of experience in various leadership roles within the educational sector. His career spans several key areas of leadership, including strategic, instructional, cultural, and managerial leadership.

Throughout his career, Andre has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving school environments by managing the School Improvement Plan process, conducting classroom observations, supporting professional learning teams, and fostering communication and collaboration among staff, students, and the broader school community. His work also includes refining hiring processes, enhancing schoolwide schedules, and cultivating a positive school culture.

In addition to his administrative roles, Andre has also contributed to the educational community by co-chairing the WCPSS Division of Principals and Assistant Principals, presenting at new AP onboarding sessions, and participating in state-level initiatives to rewrite Principal and Assistant Principal standards. His professional certifications include School Administration, Physical Education, and Special Education, all recognized by the North Carolina DPI Professional Licensure. Before his current role, Andre served as an Assistant Principal in the Johnston County School District, a Behavior Support Teacher at Oberlin Middle School, and a Special Education Teacher at Chocowinity Middle School. He also has experience as a PE Teacher and Coach at Spruce Creek High School.