Board of Directors
The Plain Local Schools Foundation and Alumni Association is led by a volunteer board that represents alumni, parents, community members, former educators and advocates for public education.
The foundation is always looking for individuals to serve on event committees, alumni initiatives and community outreach. If you are interested in serving on a committee, contact us today!
Board of Directors
Suzi Lantz
PresidentBoard member since November 2019.
With a background in secondary education, coaching, and curriculum development Suzi has been active in helping individuals, teams and organizations reach their potential throughout her entire career. Suzi is a Partner and Leadership Consultant at GiANT (http://www.giantworldwide.com/). She has worked with organizations across industries to develop leaders who know how to identify and multiply leadership health and core competencies. She believes in empowering everyone to have a voice and has partnered to build GiANT’s DEI Inclusive Leadership program. Suzi and her husband Jason have two children in the district: Caris, who is a junior, and Joshua (JJ), who is a freshman. Both students are actively involved in cross-country, track, and various clubs and activities offered by our wonderful district.
Emily Palmer
Vice-PresidentBoard member since November 2019.
Emily’s background has allowed her to grow and serve students, educators, and families in social studies, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, gifted, curriculum, athletics, and academic programs in Plain Local and Strasburg-Franklin Local districts for the past 25 years. Her passion has always been to help students grow and learn; because of this, Emily loves serving on the PLSFAA Scholarship Committee and making sure students have as many opportunities as possible to earn funds for college while honoring community and family members of Plain Township.
A graduate from the University of Akron with a B.A. in Secondary Education and a M.A. in Educational Administration, and a M.A. in Assessment, Program Evaluation and Data Analysis has given her a foundation in education. She is currently finishing her M.Ed. at Ashland University in Curriculum and Instruction: Talent Development. while working as an independent Educational Consultant with high school students on their academic pathways. Emily also has had the privilege to be a member of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Stark County’s 38th Signature Class and learn more about leadership and the compassionate and giving opportunities in Stark County.
Emily, her husband, and their family have lived in Plain Local since 2000, and their children attend GlenOak High School and Oakwood Middle School. They participate and appreciate all of the academic, arts, and athletic programs offered in Plain Local. As a family, they love to play music and sports, read, cook, travel, and spend time with their pets.
Judy Leszczynski
SecretaryBoard Member since January 2017.
Judy Leszczynski graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Education. She also has a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashland University. Judy is a retired teacher who spent 27 years as an Intervention Specialist in the Early Childhood Department of Canton City Schools. In addition, she was an Adjunct Professor at Walsh University, teaching a class in Special Education and one in Integrated Arts. Judy worked with the SPARK program, a program that works with preschool children and their families in the areas of literacy and Kindergarten readiness. She also taught Playright, a class for Early Childhood teachers that was based on integrating the arts in all areas of the curriculum. Her children attended Plain Local Schools and she became involved in the Parent groups at their schools, especially the GlenOak Booster Club, where she served as President for two years. Judy loves to travel and especially enjoys visiting her children and grandchildren who live in Colorado, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
Nick Deering
TreasurerBoard member since September 2024.
Nick has been in leadership for 20+ years and is currently the COO at Henderson Roofing. He has led a business professional Connect group through his church (Faith Family) for the last ten years and currently serves on the Legacy Team. For the last several years, he has coached youth soccer through Eagles Select and Stark United Premier. He also coaches the JVA team and serves as an assistant coach at GlenOak High School. Working together on projects and bringing the best out of people and situations is something that brings him great joy.
He and his wife, Ryanne, have been married for 18 years and have two sons, Roman (15) and Hudson (14), who attend GlenOak High School and Oakwood Middle School. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing soccer, and going to the beach.
Danielle Harper
Executive AssistantBoard member since January 2023.
Danielle has been a Plain resident for over 20 years. She loves Plain’s commitment to excellence and being community-minded. She has a background in education with a B.A. from Walsh University. She has worked in coaching, team development, community connections, fundraising and system development.
Danielle enjoys connecting to her community. She is involved in multiple organizations where she helps students with fundraising. She believes a lack of funds shouldn’t be a reason a family or child should not be able to participate. Currently, she is a fundraising director for Cheerville Athletics Ohio.
Danielle has three GlenOak alumni and one current high school student: Holly, who is the varsity cheerleading captain and on the GlenOak competition cheer team and gymnastics team.
Danielle loves connecting and coaching people by equipping them to pass on to others what they learned. She believes you only need to be one step ahead of someone to lead and equip them to make a difference and grow.
Board Members
Lindsay Bowden
Alumni Association Co-ChairBoard member since March 2024.
Lindsay Bowden is a lifelong Plain Township resident, a 1999 GlenOak graduate, and graduated from Kent State University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Lindsay is a Vocational Rehabilitation Contracts Coordinator with Coleman Health Services and is passionate about assisting those afflicted with mental health and substance abuse diagnoses in their recovery journey.
Lindsay and her husband, Keith, love the diversity and inclusion our district offers (there is truly something for everyone!). They have two daughters active in the district; Anna is a 2025 GlenOak graduate currently studying Early Childhood Education at Kent State University, and coaches the Eagles Cheerleading Youth Competition team. Their daughter, Ella, is a student at Glenwood Intermediate and participates in volleyball with the Glenwood youth league and Elite Sports Ohio.
Outside of keeping busy with her work, family, and volunteering, Lindsay loves spending time with the family pup, a doodle named Molly, and beach vacations anywhere warm & sunny!
Denise Evans
Alumni Association Co-ChairBoard member since 2017.
Denise is a 1982 GlenOak graduate and a lifetime resident of Plain Township. Her and her husband Dan have raised two sons in the Plain Local Schools, Brad (2014), who is a Cast Member at Walt Disney World, and Brian (2018), who works with the Plain Township Parks Department.
Denise has been a full-time Realtor with Cutler Real Estate for over 22 years, and is also a very active volunteer in our community. She is the Vocational Co-Chairperson of the Rotary Club of Plain Township, a sponsor of the Plain Township Parks and Plain Township Amphitheater. Denise enjoys participating with the GlenOak Alumni Band as an alumni majorette, and also hosts the Plain Township, Ohio Community Page on Facebook. In her leisure time, she delights in traveling to new places, playing pickleball, and is always seeking new adventures! Denise loves walking the trails in our Plain Township Parks with her dog, Pixel, and she enjoys hosting the annual Paws in the Park Event at the Plain Township Dog Park. Denise and her family are all very proud to be a part of the Plain community!
Gina Bowers
Board MemberBoard member since July 2025.
Gina Bowers is a third-generation resident of Plain Township and proudly continues this tradition by raising her family here as well. She is a GlenOak graduate who received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Malone University and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from The Ohio State University. As a social worker, she has worked tirelessly to support residents of Stark County who have experienced homelessness and sexual violence.
Gina is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and Supervisor at a local counseling organization and has devoted her career to working with survivors of complex trauma. Her mission is to help create a more healed community.
Gina enjoys spending her spare time treasure hunting! She loves finding the best deals at thrift shops, searching the Lake Erie shoreline for beach glass, and being outside exploring all of the parks and trails Stark County has to offer.
Nick Frank
Board MemberBoard member since July 2025.
Nick had a background in mechanical engineering and has worked for Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems since graduating from the University of Akron in 2004. He received his MBA from Ashland University in 2009. After several years practicing engineering, Nick transitioned into a leadership role and ultimately became a Manufacturing Plant Manager in 2021. Nick is a 2025 graduate of Leadership Stark County’s Signature Program, and his passions include STEM education and introducing today’s youth to careers in manufacturing and engineering. Nick and his wife, Suzanne, moved to Plain Township in 2018 and have been married for 20 years. They have a son, Liam, who is a freshman at GlenOak. For the last several years, Nick has coached Eagles youth baseball and spends his free time golfing and enjoying the outdoors with his family.
Justin Frazier
Board MemberBoard member since July 2025.
Justin Frazier is a proud GlenOak High School alumnus and current Plain Local resident, passionate about giving back to the community and honored to serve on the Plain Local School Foundation Board. For over 11 years, he has worked for CSE Federal Credit Union, where he manages community outreach, financial education initiatives, and the financial counseling program.
With more than 14 years of leadership experience in financial services, retail management, and community engagement, Justin is a results-driven professional recognized for advancing financial wellness across diverse audiences. He is skilled in program management, stakeholder relations, and cross-functional collaboration, with a proven ability to design and implement impactful financial literacy initiatives that strengthen community partnerships and deliver sustainable, member-focused results.
A Certified Financial Counselor and Credit Union Development Educator, Justin is committed to empowering individuals and communities through financial knowledge, access, and opportunity.
Maggie Hatcher
Board MemberBoard member since March 2024.
Maggie has been in education for 16 years, currently she is the literacy specialist at Frazer Elementary. Previously she spent 10 years teaching fourth grade English Language Arts in Plain Local Schools. With experience working at both the elementary and pre-kindergarten levels, as well as in activities outside of the traditional educational setting, she has a diverse background. She is the co-founder of a fourth grade female empowerment group, Fierce Females. Fierce Females encourages students to dream big while supporting each other on their way to achieving their goals. Currently, she is serving as the district literacy team leader and a literacy council team member. All of these positions have given her the opportunity to be part of a team while also taking on leadership positions. She has participated in many curriculum development committees allowing her to collaborate with other educators to ensure student success. Her passion for early literacy is rooted in her belief that literacy for all is a human right. She is committed to working with the students with the most opportunities for growth and removing barriers to foster a love for learning and literacy. She spends her free time with her husband, Tamiko Hatcher, cheering on their three children Maxwell, Tyler, and Avery in their many extracurricular activities.
Angela Lewers
Board MemberBoard member since July 2025.
Angela is a 2018 graduate of GlenOak High School and earned her BS in Communication from Ohio University. She has built her career in social media content creation and strategy, with experience at the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Actively involved in GlenOak’s ballet program, Angela now serves as co-chair of the ballet committee, giving back to the same program and committee that supported her as a student. Passionate about her community, she also serves as a substitute teacher at GlenOak High School, offering guidance to students as they navigate the next steps in their lives – a journey she recently experienced herself. Angela joins her father, Michael Lewers, as a fellow board member.
Michael Lewers
Board MemberBoard Member since January 2017.
Michael graduated from GlenOak High School in 1991 and achieved his BBA in Finance from Kent State University in 1995. In his role as a Sr. Home Lending Advisor (NMLS ID: 271175) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, he utilizes his more than three decades of home lending experience to assist Home Buyers & Owners with achieving their goals.
Michael, with his wife Jennifer, are proud parents of their two daughters: Angela, a 2018 GlenOak alumnus, and Payton, who attends Plain Local Schools. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, fishing, traveling, and volunteering.
Madison McGuire
Board MemberBoard member since July 2025.
Madison McGuire is a proud 2017 graduate of GlenOak High School and a lifelong member of the Plain Local School District. After graduation, Madison attended Ohio University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering in 2022. While at OU, she also pursued a minor in Dance Performance and Choreography, along with certifications in Leadership and Entrepreneurship, showcasing her passion for both the arts and STEM.
Now back home, Madison works as an Engineer in the Transmission Operations Department with FirstEnergy. Her role has provided her with many opportunities to stay actively engaged in the Akron area, where she is involved with FirstEnergy’s Society of Women Engineers, Ohio Phase III, and Akron Public Schools Ambassadors Networks. She is dedicated to empowering young women and students to explore and excel in STEM, striving to build their confidence and foster curiosity and resilience in the next generation of innovators. After several years of meaningful involvement in the Akron and Cuyahoga Falls communities, Madison is excited to shift some of her focus back to her roots in the Plain Local School District.
As a student, Madison spent countless hours in the dance studio, performing on the Abbey E. Foltz Stage as part of the district’s dance and choir programs, and was heavily involved in the GlenOak STEM and science clubs. These experiences shaped her deeply, and she credits the Foundation and Alumni Association Board for creating the opportunities that enriched her high school years. Madison is honored to now serve on the board, giving back to the programs that gave her so much.
Stacey Pancher-Rippey
Board MemberBoard member since July 2025.
Stacey moved to Plain when her daughter was 5 years old and enrolled her in the 1st grade a Frazier Elementary. They have remained in Plain and her daughter is now a Sophomore at GlenOak High School, participating in Dance, sideline cheer and competition cheer.
Stacey graduated from Kent State University in 1992 with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Sociology. She then went on to obtain her Masters in Counseling at the University of Cincinnati.
Stacey started her career in Counseling, working with high-risk and behavior-disordered youth at the Shipley Day Treatment Program for 12 years, during which time she began her role as a clinical supervisor providing supervision to therapists seeking to obtain their independent licensure. She then worked providing school-based therapy to children in both the Alliance and Plain local school districts. After this, she began managing several different programs for youth, including the School-Based Program, Transitional and Peer Program, and the Care Pathway Program for suicidal and high-risk youth. Stacey has also spent time working in private practice with youth, adults and couples.
Currently, Stacey is employed by a company out of Akron, providing Clinical Supervision and other administrative duties in addition to providing some therapy services. Stacey’s hobbies have included spending some time investing in real estate, renovating and managing her rental properties up until this past year.
Stacey enjoys spending time with her daughter, her family and two new Frenchie Puppies. She enjoys traveling with and supporting her daughter, who participates in Allstar competition cheer.
Stacey joined the Plain Foundation to give back and be a part of all of the great things that the Plain Foundation does for the Community.
Emily Weiss
Board MemberBoard member since May 2021.
Emily Weiss attended the Plain Local School District for most of her life and graduated from GlenOak High School in 2014. She also stayed close to home for college, graduating magna cum laude and with Honors from Kent State University in 2017 with a B.A. in Applied Communication. After interning with TKG the summer before graduation, she was hired full-time as a Digital Marketer and has been there since 2018. While working at TKG, she has gained various marketing skills such as keyword researching, understanding and applying SEO (Search Engine Optimization), blog and webpage writing, social media scheduling and advertising, and general website maintenance.
When Emily’s not working, you can find her spending time with her husband (Andy) and their newest little girl (Aria), traveling, taking photos, and seeing shows at local theaters and up at Playhouse Square. She has also volunteered for multiple local organizations, including Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron for their annual Easter Egg Hunt and Murder in the Mansion event, United Way of Greater Stark County and its Young Leaders Society, and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s ystark!.
Emeritus Members
Deceased
