Board members serve three year terms, during which time members are expected to attend monthly meetings and help perform those tasks associated with sending and hosting students and their chaperones to and from Kakuda, Miyagi, Japan. In addition to this, there is also the opportunity to attend state and national meetings of the Sister Cities International organization, which is based in Washington, D.C. Their website can be found at http://www.sister-cities.org.
Any member(s) of the community who are interested in speaking to the board, must contact the President at least two weeks in advance to request that they be added to the agenda. Depending on the information/topic being discussed the community member may be asked to give a formal presentation or submit a proposal to the board.
Please meet the current Board of directors:
Jeff Myers - President Jeff Myers joined the Sister Cities board of directors in 2007. He traveled to Kakuda City in
June 2007, along with his son Evan, as part of the Greenfield Wing's visit."What an incredible opportunity it was to not only visit Japan and experience the culture, but to be able to go with my son made it that much more special," Jeff says. Jeff is Vice President of Engineering & Operations at Central Indiana Power in Greenfield, and he has bachelors and masters degrees in engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He is married to Kelly Myers, who is a 7th grade teacher at Mt. Vernon Middle School, and they have three children. Jeff enjoys music, sports and he plays keyboards in the Park Chapel Christian Church praise band. |
Kim Kile - Vice President Kim Kile joined the Sister Board in 2007. She and her son, Erik, had the honor of traveling to Kakuda as part of the Sister City program in the
summer of 2007. Her daughter, Emily, has also been to Kakuda as a student ambassador in 2005. The Kile family has hosted several students and
they all love the experience of learning more about the Japanese culture and language.
"Being a part of the Sister City exchange program, through traveling and hosting, has opened our family's eyes to the wonderful world in which we live. We all look forward to meeting our student and learning a little bit more about Kakuda and Japanese culture each year." Kim is originally from Shelbyville, Indiana and graduated from Shelbyville High School. She earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Butler University. Kim is the school counselor at Greenfield Middle School where she works with all of the students in grades six through eight. Prior to working at Greenfield Middle School, she was the director of admission at Butler University. She had her husband, Nick, have four children; Emily, Erik, Erin Kate, and Ethan. Spending time with her family, watching all types of athletic events, and reading are just a few of things she enjoys doing in her spare time. |
Carol Pendlum - Secretary Carol joined the board after she and her husband Mitch participated in the 20th Anniversary trip to Kakuda City, Japan.
"After experiencing the warmth and hospitality of our Sister Cities host family, as well as learning more about the Japanese culture, I wanted to become more involved with the program," she said. Carol is a native of Greenfield, and is Director of Public Sector Sales for Bell Techlogix. She and her husband Mitch have three sons, two grandsons and one granddaughter. She enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her family. |
Susan Geesa - Treasurer Susan's visit to Kakuda, as a chaperone of the 2005 Greenfield Wing, added another dimension to her life. She became aware of
the Sister City Program, early in her career, as a teacher of elementary students with special needs, in Greenfield Schools.
While somewhat apprehensive about traveling to Japan, as a chaperone, she was encouraged by her colleagues, who had previously
been involved.
"What a wonderful opportunity for the students and adults in the Greenfield community!" she says. "It truly is a life-changing experience. My host family, the Takahashi's and their friends, are very special to me. I will always enjoy sharing my experiences." "After 25 years in teaching, the opportunity to experience a completely new culture and environment, has helped me renew my enthusiasm for teaching and I look forward to visiting my new family and friends from Kakuda in the future. As a board member, I hope to contribute as much as I can to the Sister City Program." Born in Richmond, Indiana, Susan earned degrees in elementary and special education from Taylor University and IUPUI. Susan and her husband, Roy, have 2 children. Traveling has always been a favorite activity of their family. |
Phil Boley - Past President Phil Boley retired after more than 38 years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in December of 2010. His interest in international exchange began when he was principal at Greenfield-Central High School during the 90’s and became involved in Sister Cities, eventually serving as its president. In his retirement, Phil is serving as the executive director of Global Indiana: A Consortium for International Exchange, which arranges for sister school relationships between Indiana schools and schools in China, Germany, and Thailand. He is also on the board of directors for the Virginia-based Council on Standards for International Educational Travel, a standards setting organization for organizations bringing exchange students to the United States.
Phil returns to the Sister Cities board after a six-year hiatus due to his last assignment as superintendent. Now back in his home near Maxwell, he looks forward to helping the further development of the relationship between Kakuda City and Greenfield. |
Tony Campbell - Past President Tony and his wife Joy live in Greenfield, and their daughter Elizabeth made the visit to Kakuda as a sister city representative in June 2005. He
works for Erie Insurance as a Corporate Claims Property Reinspector, and a member of Erie's emergency response unit. Tony is also a past president of the local Rotary Club, and remains an
active Rotarian. He accepted the position of president in September 2005.
"I look forward to serving on the Sister City Board and helping any way I can," he says. In his free time, Tony enjoys gardening, tennis, fishing and shelling. |
Lyndi G. Lyndi has been a member of the board since 2005, however her participation in the program started in 1994 when her family served as a host family.
Since then, she has been honored to travel to Japan three times as a student, a chaperone, and part of the 20th Anniversary Celebration. About her experience with the Sister Cities program, Lyndi says that she had "a wonderful time in Japan, meeting new people and learning a different culture" and looks forward to possibly returning some day. Lyndi currently works as a therapist. She received a bachelors degree from the University of Evansville in the spring of 2001 and a master's degree in art therapy from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in May 2003. In her spare time, Lyndi enjoys working on artwork and displaying it at art shows around the area, including Greenfield's own Riley Festival each October. Her works can be seen on display at her website, lyndiland.com. |
Dawn Hanson Dawn Hanson joined the Sister Cities board in 2004. Her family has hosted students from Kakuda three times, and her oldest son visited Kakuda as part of the Greenfield Wing in June 2005.
The Hanson family has maintained relationships with all the students that they have hosted, but Dawn has formed a friendship with the mother of the first student they hosted. Through their e-mail exchanges, they are helping each other understand the cultural differences between their lives, but also the similarities that parents all over the world experience. Dawn hopes to help Sister Cities of Greenfield strengthen their global relationship with Kakuda and hopes to travel to Kakuda soon herself. |
Cathy Harris
Cathy Harris joined the Sister Cities Board in 2007. Her family has hosted five students from Kakuda. "We have thoroughly enjoyed our Kakuda guests," Harris said. Harris and her husband, Tom, have three children - Megan, Chris and Meredith. She is a native of Hancock County, having graduated from Eastern Hancock H.S. before earning an Associate's Degree in business from Anderson University. Harris later earned a Master's Degree in ministry from Earlham School of Religion in 1999. She is a Friends (Quaker) pastor and serve as Associate Pastor at Spiceland Friends Church in Spiceland, Indiana. Harris also enjoys doing things with her family, singing and playing the piano as well as the autoharp, reading, swimming, and taking walks. |
Sara Houston - Past Secretary Sara Houston
joined the Sister Cities of Greenfield Board in 2005. In June of
2004, she was a chaperone for the group of students traveling to
Kakuda. "My trip was wonderful and I wanted to continue my service
in this great program," Sara says. "I look forward to any
contributions I can make as a board member for the Sister Cities of
Greenfield."Sara was born and raised in Greenfield, and attended Greenfield schools from kindergarten through high school. She graduated from Ball State University with her Bachelors Degree in 1999, and Masters Degree in 2002. Currently, Sara teaches kindergarten at Harris Elementary School in Greenfield. |
John JesterMore information coming. |
Donna Knecht Donna Knecht
joined the board of directors in 2003, and has been the travel
coordinator for the organization since 2004. Donna is a Greenfield
resident, a graduate from Greenfield-Central, and teaches within
the Greenfield-Central School Corporation. She earned both her
bachelors degree in elementary education and her masters degree in
special education from Ball State University.Donna made the trip to Kakuda in 1999. "I had an unforgettable experience in Japan. Each year about the time the Kakuda students visit Greenfield, I love to share my pictures and souvenirs with my students. They learn about the Japanese culture and get excited about looking forward to applying to travel when they are in middle school. As the travel coordinator, it is rewarding to see the benefits from all the travelers we send and to learn about what they have gained from their own experience from each trip." |
Marilyn LeveringMore information coming. |
Amanda Leiber Amanda Leiber joined the Sister Cities of Greenfield Board in 2006 and served as a chaperone on the 2005 trip to Kakuda, Japan. Amanda also traveled back to Japan for the 20th anniversary of our sister cities partnership in 2010.
"My trips to Japan opened my eyes to Japanese culture and made me want to keep traveling," Amanda says. Amanda is a graduate of Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. She earned her bachelors degree in Elementary Education and Masters degree in Elementary Education with a reading specialty from Ball State University. Amanda is currently teaching 5th grade English at Greenfield Intermediate School in the Greenfield Central School Corporation. She lives in Fishers with her husband and daughter. |
Harold Olin Harold Olin joined the Sister Cities of Greenfield Board in 2010. He traveled to Kakuda in June of 2010 as a school corporation representative and in June of 2003 as a chaperone.
Harold has been a school administrator for Greenfield-Central Schools for the past eleven years, and he is currently the principal of Greenfield Central Junior High School. "As a representative of the school corporation, I look forward to active participation in the annual visitation from the Kakuda student wing.” Harold is a three-time graduate of Ball State University, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, his Master's degree in Educational Administration, and his Specialist's degree in Educational Leadership. In his free time, Harold enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and playing cornhole. |
James Roberts James joined the board after the 20th Anniversary trip to Kakuda City, Japan in 2010.
"I had never had an interest in traveling overseas, the opportunity arose to make the trip and I quickly jumped at the chance," he said. He has since had great desire to be a part of the program. James is married to Christi and they have three children - Ellie, Trenton and Emmalyn. The family is very excited to host travelers from Japan in the future and each to make the trip to Japan as well. James has lived in Greenfield for 22 years and grew up in Fortville with family in Greenfield all of his life. He is currently Fire Chief of the Greenfield Fire Department, serving as chief since January 2008. He has been employed at the fire department since January 1994. |
Rob Young - Past President Rob has been a Greenfield resident since 1988 and has been involved with the sister city program since 1994. He's served on the board since 1999, including three years as board president.He's traveled to Kakuda 16 times, and has hosted many guests and friends from Kakuda. Rob is a graduate of John Marshall High School in Indianapolis, and earned his bachelor's degree from Greenville College, Illinois. He is president of National Road Insurance and his former board positions include Leadership Hancock County, Greenfield Historical Society, Greenfield Fastpitch Softball Association, Greenfield Chamber of Commerce and Greenfield Youth Baseball Association. Rob and wife Julie have 5 children, all who are equally active in the community and their church. |