Purposeful Blend of Skills & Experiences of the Governing Board & School Leadership
A purposeful blend of skills and experiences of the Governing Board of Directors and school leadership was carefully selected to
provide strategic direction, maintain good financial health, oversight, and carry out all fiduciary obligations of Heritage Institute of
Art‖s and Technology to fulfill the mission and goals. The governing board of directors was established upon and maintains the
following values: shared commitment and passion to the organization‖s mission and goals, diversity of membership for community
representation, loyalty to the process of development and implementation of the HIAT vision, and a variety of expertise to meet the
13 needs of the school. HIAT has built a diverse and capable governance body that is essential for long-term success. Members of the governing board of directors come from both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors including education, business, law, and social services possessing experiences and expertise including:
School Operational Leadership & Management
Start-Up Non-Profit Organizations
Strategic Planning & Development
Facility& Safety Management
K-12 School Administration
Performance Management & Human Resources
Technology & Arts
K-12 Curriculum Development
K-12 Leadership Experience
K-12 Teaching & Special Education
K-12 Instruction & Assessment
Performing Arts
Finance Management
PR, Parent, Community Relations
BOD experience
Marketing & Media
Metrics & Reporting
Non-Profit Organization development
Policy & Process Development
Social Services & Counseling
Health & Wellness
Members
Dr. Darlene Adamson Henderson of Schererville, IN, former resident of Merrillville, IN for eighteen years received her Doctorate of Theology‘ from GMORE Theological Seminary, Master in Education from Cambridge College, and Bachelor of Science from Calumet College. Presently, she works as a consultant, therapist for Heritage Child Inc. Former employment consist of Administrator / Director of Baber Child Facility; Co-Founder/Manager of Heritage Child Facility, and Teacher & Computer Manager of Gary School Corp, Computer Operator of Sargent & Lundy Engineers. She is the Founder of Dearly Beloved Ministries and Founder of Heritage Child Inc. Dr. Henderson will continue to enhance childrens lives through education by developing and being President of the HIAT Board of Directors. Dr. Henderson has over 15 years of K-12 experience, counseling for at-risk children & families, professional development & training, educational leadership & management experience, and technology & performing arts.
Carol King of Gary, Indiana is a graduate of Kentucky State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business. Her professional background is in the area of social services. She possesses 25 years of experience working with children and adults from all social, economic and educational backgrounds. She was a supervisor for the Department of Child Services and the Family Social Service Administration. Carol served as coordinator (Supervisor) of the Child Care vouchers for Lake County, IN and its transition to the Head Start Program (Geminus) and worked in the business sector of banking as an executive secretary, as well as, teaching business classes for nine years at the college level of Ivy Technical College. Heritage Institute of Arts and Technology offers educational diversity for those children who excel academically, as well as, for those children who strongest strengths are mirrored through the performing arts. As a product of the performing arts and the professional knowledge of working with children from diverse backgrounds, her experience will greatly support the vision of Heritage Institute of Arts & Technology.
Thomas Rowland, CPA is a Certified Public Accountant in Merrillville, Indiana. Tom‖s career spans 30 years inleadership roles in accounting, finance and business management. His early employment as an external auditor for a big 6accounting firm and later as an internal auditor with a large steel company formed his foundation for the importance of stronginternal controls and regulatory compliance. Tom has also assisted in forensic accounting engagements. Tom is published andhas been a presenter on various accounting and auditing topics. Over the past 15 years he managed the financial operations ofvarious corporations. Tom formed Treehouse Financial as a business and tax consulting agency in 2007 and enjoys assisting hissmall business clients in their financial challenges. Tom has counseled 30 + Start-up ventures to fruition since starting‗Treehouse Financial‘. They institute a proactive approach to develop clear financial goals and then monitor current financialinformation to adjust and react in a real time manor. Tom and his wife Debra reside in Valparaiso with their 2 children. Tom isactive in BSA and a leader and champion of the Northwest Indiana Region.
Gloria Tuohy Ms. Tuohy’s career has spanned over fifty years of professional dance, teaching and Artistic Direction experience inEngland, Europe and the United States. She was trained in the prestigious French Cecchetti classical ballet syllabus. Ms. Tuohyis proficient in ballet, classical jazz and tap with K.-12 experience. She is proficient in Ceccetti and Imperial Society of Teachersof Dance (ISTD), world renowned teacher-training programs. Ms. Tuohy is the only sponsor of this prestigious program inNorthwest Indiana. In America, she is a Master Dance Educator through Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. She isthe founder of the Indiana Ballet theatre NW, Inc., (IBT) a non-profit ballet and contemporary dance company. Ms. Tuohy haschoreographed nine full length original ballets that have been staged 40 times during the 31 years the company has existed. Ms.Tuohy‖s productions awarded Indiana Ballet Theatre the distinction by NW Indiana Times and Business Quarterly, of being oneof the top live theatre presenters in NW Indiana. Her experience will be a life changing experience to the school.
Sharla Williams, M. Ed. of Merrillville, Indiana completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Purdue University Calumetand completed her Master of Education at American Intercontinental University. In 2011 she participated in LeadershipNorthwest Indiana and holds Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling. Sharla began her career teaching Special Education forthe Gary Community Schools with K-12 experience. She was also the County Director for Curtis and Associates, Inc. deliveringJob Search Training and Placement services for four years. Sharla provided leadership to TradeWinds Services and the UrbanCommunity Action Network employed in various positions. She sits on the Board of Directors of Heritage Institute for Arts andTechnology. For the past 4 years Sharla has been a manager in the WorkOne System in Indiana. She is currently the WorkshopTeam Lead and State Training Representative at the Center of Workforce Innovations in Valparaiso, IN. As a child, Sharlaattended Logan Park Assembly of Christ Church and has been singing in church since the age of 6. In 1992, Sharla marriedRoland Williams and joined Family Christian Center, attending 14 years. In 2003 she released her Solo CD Project, No More MyOwn. She is currently a member of Emmanuel Church of Christ Holiness and Elder Eric Cummings is her Pastor. Sharla is theMother of a wonderful 20 year old son, Roland F. Williams, IV, who attends Ivy Tech State College from Indiana WesleyanUniversity.
George Tucker of Hammond, Indiana, is a product of the Gary Community School Corporation and graduated from William A. Wirt High School. George holds Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science from Southern University. He has broad experience in the Technology Industry with over 18 years of IT experience including experience in LAN and WAN, training and support, telephony, and email & network security. Skilled in designing infrastructure and implementing new technology to support large user groups, supporting users at corporate headquarters as well as multiple remote locations, and effectively managing $1 million dollar IT budgets as well as IT staff. Proven ability to translate business needs into technology requirements that support the company's business objectives and to successfully manage all phases of IT projects from needs
analysis and requirements definition to vendor selection, implementation, and training. Demonstrated exceptional communication skills with the ability to successfully serve both technical and non-technical users. George currently serves as the IT Manager for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana. He is also Co-Founder of Inbox IT Services, which is a
technology firm based in Northwest Indiana. George serves on many boards and definitely has a passion for empowering young people to challenge themselves in the area of Technology.