Jane Sullivan, President

CONTACT

Email: jsullivan1@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Middle School
Term Expiration: 2025

BIOGRAPHY

Hello neighbor! I am proud to serve our community as a member of the Iroquois Central School District Board of Education. I am a graduate of Iroquois, Class of 1986. As an Iroquois student I was involved in a variety of activities, including cheerleading, drama club, writing for the school paper, and serving on the student government. I was given a well-rounded education and I want to assure students today have similar opportunities.

I furthered my education graduating from Syracuse University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Canisius College in 1992 with a Master of Science in reading education. I began working in education immediately, teaching reading at Starpoint Central School from 1992 to 1997. After a move to Texas and a maternity leave, I began teaching college writing in the First Year College Program at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), a position I held until my family moved back to Elma in 2010.

I am currently teaching in the College Writing Program at Buffalo State College as an adjunct writing instructor. In addition to teaching, I am the lifestyles editor to the East Aurora Advertiser and Elma Review. I also work in the Neighbor to Neighbor News billing department as a co-account manager.

I have four children, who have all gone through the Iroquois School District. My oldest daughter graduated from Iroquois in 2015 and from Manhattan College in 2019. She works currently in the health care industry and has continued her education in the hope of becoming a nurse. My other children are triplets, two girls and a boy, who graduated from Iroquois in June 2019. Each is pursuing higher education degrees: one is at Buffalo State studying computer information systems, one is at Gannon University studying pre-med biology, one is at University of Maine studying marine sciences. They were active students while attending Iroquois, so I saw many facets of the district including football, cheerleading, track, cross-country, holly hanging, music course, science course, AP courses, drama club, LEAD, FFA, BOCES and the BOCES Connections program. As a result, I continue to see the big picture of how our district continues to prepare its graduates for life with a well round education and opportunities that go beyond the classroom.

It is an exciting time to be in education and to be involved with a district that continues to look for ways to provide not only for students but also the community. I am so glad my path has led me to this role in the community and I thank you for the opportunity.

Please reach out to share your concerns and celebrations with me. I am here to listen.

Jim Michalek, Vice-President

CONTACT

Email: jmichalek@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Middle School
Term Expiration: 2027

BIOGRAPHY

My wife, Jennifer, and I moved into the Iroquois School District to start our family in 2002, having been drawn by the area’s strong sense of community and this school district’s reputation for excellence.   We have two amazing kids (daughter, Alexis, and son, Athan) who both attend Iroquois Middle School.  We are very interested in all aspects of their education and the school’s impact on our community.

After graduating from St. Francis High School in 1993, I served in the U.S. Navy until 1997.  My experiences in the military have contributed to the management skills I’ve developed and utilized in restaurant and retail management, where I currently manage the Goodyear Tire Store in Buffalo.

I have been afforded many opportunities to contribute to our community by supporting youth athletics in various capacities, including managing a hockey team, coaching youth football, serving as Empire West Youth Football and Cheerleading Vice President.   I have served on the EMW Sports, Inc. Board since 2013 and was elected President in 2017.  I have enjoyed service on the EMW Football and Cheerleading Board as President, especially the opportunity to meet and work with so many great people.  I am currently the President of the Iroquois Football Boosters.

I look forward to bringing my experience and passion for working with people, particularly our developing youth, along with proven leadership and management to the Board to make a positive impact on Iroquois schools for many years to come.   I am particularly eager to support initiatives that will enhance Iroquois’ academic excellence and ensure that we graduate students who are “well-rounded”, highly proficient and extensively prepared for their next phase in life.   I look forward to gaining additional insights on NY State’s regulations and offering recommendations that can best serve all of our constituencies, including our students, parents and tax-payers.  

Robert (Bob) Barry, Member

CONTACT

Email: rbarry@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: High School/Buildings and Grounds/Transportation
Term Expiration: 2026

BIOGRAPHY

I have grown up in Elma and I am a 1990 graduate of Iroquois High School. Proud to be a member of this great community and to raise a family here. My wife Kim who is a teacher of 22 years, my 2 boys Tyler who will be graduating from Iroquois and moving on to college and Trevor who is a Freshman at the High School.

The great reputation of the Iroquois School district education and low tax rates is the main reasons I chose to stay and raise my family in the district. The sense of community and they way we all come together to help our neighbors is what makes the Iroquois School district so great.

After graduating from Iroquois, I received dual Bachelor’s degrees in Geology/Earth Science education received my Master’s degree in science both from Buffalo State College. I continued my educational journey by starting to pursue my PhD.  In Educational Leadership.

This a very exciting and scary time in the world and in education. We as leaders must think out of the box to continue to give every child in our district the best quality education, we can possibly give them.

Heather Becker, Member

CONTACT

Email: hbecker@iroquoiscsd.org 
Building Ambassador: Wales Primary
Term Expiration: 2028

BIOGRAPHY

Heather Becker is a 1992 graduate of Iroquois High School. Heather returned to the Iroquois School District so that her two children could attend this fantastic school. She is currently the Treasurer for the Wales Primary PTO and has served in this capacity for two years.

Heather received a B.A. Degree in Political Science with a second major in Philosophy from Fredonia State College and a M.S. Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Buffalo. Heather is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Heather has worked as a public servant for the past 22 years. She currently works for the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) as the Assistant Veteran Readiness and Employment Officer for the Vocational Readiness and Employment Division. Prior to working at the VA, she was employed as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of New York. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, she assisted individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. She also provided transition services to students with disabilities in secondary education. She has worked as a Community Mental Health Counselor assisting individuals with traumatic brain injury and chronic mental health conditions.

Iroquois Central School District has a reputation of providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for the future. This reputation has contributed to the many graduates returning to the district so that their children can attend Iroquois. Heather is invested in ensuring that Iroquois continues to provide the best education, supporting the well-being of students while balancing parent needs and responsibility to taxpayers.

Heather Jacobs, Member

CONTACT

Email: hjacobs@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Elma Primary
Term Expiration: 2026

BIOGRAPHY

Heather is a 1993 graduate of Iroquois High School. She received her bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Buffalo State College in 1997. After graduation, she was hired by Marine Midland Bank. Over the last 24 years, Heather has worked for HSBC Bank to focus on IT Compliance Financial Crime. Heather has a longstanding reputation for being a leader with moral values, a solid work ethic, and a well-respected member of the Iroquois community.

​Heather currently lives in Marilla with her husband, Andy, and two children, Carson and Shea.

​Heather is reminded of what M. K. Soni wrote, "A house is made of brick and mortar, but a home is made by the people who live there." Neighbors, we understand this quote means that this community is special; it encompasses all of us; it is our home! Heather is seeking to make a difference for your children and be the voice of our community.

Charles F. Specht, Member

CONTACT

Email: cspecht@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Marilla Primary
Term Expiration: 2024

BIOGRAPHY

I am a 1974 graduate of Iroquois High School.  I received my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University in 1978.  After graduation, I worked for Resser Management Company before joining the Fiduciary Tax Department at HSBC Bank where I also served as Vice-President of Operations in the Investment Management Division until 1991 when I left to become business and office manager for our family business.

I am proud and feel very fortunate to have not only attended Iroquois, but to have also been a member of the Iroquois Board of Education since July 2009, serving as president from 2013 through 2018.  My wife, three sons and I returned to the Iroquois School district in 1997 to provide the best possible educational opportunities for our children.  As such, I am committed to maintaining and further improving the superior educational standards and staff our children have benefitted from and we have come to expect at Iroquois. At the same time, we must be mindful of the financial challenges faced by public education today and prudently manage those challenges in light of the needs of our students and taxpayers. 

I have worked and supported many Iroquois School and community events, as well as organizations over the years.  I served as an officer of the Iroquois Football Boosters Club for 13 years.  I have also served on the EMW Football and Cheerleading Board of Directors and as a director of the St. Bonaventure University Rugby Alumni Board.  I am also member of the Executive Board of the Erie County Association of School Boards and currently serve as the president of that organization.  I have been a member of the ECASB Legislative team since 2009. I am also an active member of Annunciation parish.

Keith Vergien, Member

CONTACT

Email: kevergien@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: High School/Buildings and Grounds/Transportation
Term Expiration: 2028

A local resident of the Iroquois Central School (ICS) district for the past twenty- four years, Keith and his spouse Jacqueline remain actively engaged in the athletics and academics programs at ICS with their children. Keith is the Senior Vice President of Sentient Science, a global software company that builds digital twins for the renewable energy sector and electric vehicle market. He manages a multicultural team in the Americas and in Europe.

Keith has an extensive background in executive business strategy and operational discipline, serving various levels of an organization. He has led, coached, and developed multicultural teams to meet and exceed individual, team and corporate goals and requirements. Throughout his tenures at Clipper Windpower, EDF Renewables and Sentient Science, he’s worked with a diverse team of directors, operations managers, customer success and marketing teams. Keith leverages his technical depth of knowledge in renewables to build credibility and trust within key strategic accounts.

He deeply values customer responsiveness, integrity, and environmental sustainability. Keith holds technical degrees from BMW, Ford Motor Co and PMP certification(s).

“With change…comes opportunity” – Keith Vergien