Board of Directors
Rochonda Farmer-Neal
Rochonda Farmer-Neal serves as Baylor University's Director of Governmental Relations. She also advises the Baylor Ambassadors, Baylor's unique organization, which provides training for students in advocating local, state, and federal officials. Prior to joining Baylor in 2008, Rochonda served in various capacities for the State of Texas as well as serving as the Government Relations Manager for the Texas Association of Counties. Rochonda enjoys serving the community and serves as a member on several community boards. She earned a bachelors from Texas Woman’s University and a masters from Baylor University. She is married to Johnny Neal and has one son, Treʹ Neal.
Dr. Robin McDurham - Vice President
Dr. Robin McDurham is the Chief Executive Officer for Transformation Waco, which is an in-district charter partnership with Waco ISD. She has worked in or with Waco ISD for the past 20 years. Robin is married to Doug McDurham and they have two adult son's Dakota and Zane.
Mary Perez - Secretary/Treasurer
Mary Perez has worked as a Business Analyst Developer and Document Architect at Texas Life Insurance Company for over fourteen years. For the last two decades, she has proudly served the Waco community through nonprofit organizations such as the McLennan Community College Foundation, Waco Habitat for Humanity, the Cove, and many others.
Karie Stoker
Karie Stoker graduated from Baylor University in 2009, followed by Baylor Law School in 2012. She spent five years living in Japan before returning to Waco where she lives with her husband and two children.
Ryan "Slim" Thompson
Slim is lucky enough to be married to Kristen who is the real star of the Thompson family. They have been married for 15 years, have 3 boys, and they love the kids, teachers, administrators of Waco ISD. Slim planted a church called Mosaic Waco in 2019 and loves tacos, drums, and good coffee.
Ashley Bean Thornton - President
Ashley retired from Baylor University after working there 20 years. She has consulted with major for-profit corporations including Shell Oil and Delta Airlines, as well as many non-profit organizations in the Waco area including Compassion Ministries, World Hunger Relief, Inc. and Habitat for Humanity. She is also a certified secondary and elementary school teacher. Ashley and her husband Craig have three dogs: Dixie, Willie and Tim. Ashley spends an outrageous amount of time at Whataburger and drinks way more Diet Coke in a day than she should probably drink in a week.