About

Mary Hayes felt called to use her business skills in the nonprofit community.   Her passion for improving the lives of seniors and leadership capabilities are the perfect match for leading BOAA into the future.   

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She enjoys working on the operational aspect of BOAA, too. Although sometimes, she will state she needs to get in and see the seniors.    Her “senior fix” keeps her working through the monotonous behind-the-scenes tasks.

 

Mary and her husband, Jeff, Brownsburg residents since 1998, have two grown children, Vicki (David) and Will. She is originally from Washington, Indiana, where she met her husband at a roller skating rink. 

Laura Portish has lived in Brownsburg for 28 years with her husband while raising their four sons. Laura is now retired and enjoying her grand-children. In earlier years, Laura worked as a Staff Accountant and AP Supervisor. She retired from Ascension Healthcare as a National Operations Data Specialist and her undergraduate degree is in Business Management. Her certifications include Human Services and Medical Assisting.

 

Laura understands the need to support our seniors. Her own story tells about her estranged mother and mental illness. Her personal experience has shaped her keen desire to lend a hand and support the generations before her with care and love.

 

Laura’s passion is to bring joy to seniors and help provide resources. As a life-long learner, she is looking forward to serving as a board member and growing with BOAA in our community. .

Originally a Michigander, Vicky Byarley has lived in Indiana since 1993. She’s mom to a daughter working on a masters in public policy at IUPUI and a rescue dog.

 

A long-time worker in retail, Vicky has been in management the last 30 years. Taking a well-deserved break due to health issues, Vicky now works part-time at the Brownsburg CVS. With some spare time on her hands, Vicky was drawn to BOAA. Her grandmother, the most important person in her life as she grew up, taught her many life lessons, so Vicky sees working with seniors as a natural fit.

A Brownsburg resident  for 30 years, Fred Hakes and Jan, his wife of 42 years, have four adult children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Fred used the Vietnam Veterans GI Bill to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees from IU. Fred retired from IU Kokomo in 2011, though he then taught courses there for several years as an adjunct faculty member. 

 

Fred's interest in BOAA stemmed partly from caring for his older sister for seven years after she developed dementia. .Fred was familiar with the national Elderhostel program that became Road Scholar, but he was intrigued to learn from Jenn Cox, when she was visiting an elderly neighbor, about BOAA’s great work supporting seniors locally. Subsequently, Fred helped BOAA with several community partnerships and grant applications. Since being asked by Mary Hayes to join the board at BOAA, Fred plans to continue this work.

 

For fun and fellowship, Fred organizes e-Bike Ride Fridays, weather permitting.  Men from his church bike trails across central Indiana, completing up to 35 miles. They even have winter workouts, which are lunch. Fred also plays golf, but he has very low expectations. He considers it a good round if he doesn't lose any clubs!