Jones Academy Foundation Board of Directors

Gary Batton, Chairman of the Board

Gary Batton, Assistant Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, has been employed by the Nation since 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

More About Gary Batton

Prior to his appointment as Assistant Chief in June 2007, Gary served the Tribe in numerous capacities including Deputy Director of the Choctaw Housing Authority and Executive Director of Health Services.  In addition to his job duties, he has served on numerous boards and committees for the Tribe, the State of Oklahoma, and the Nation including the National Budget Committee for Indian Health Service, Oklahoma’s EDGE (Economic Development Generating Excellence), the Governor’s State Task Force on Water Rights and the National Committee for Alternative Financing for Healthcare Facilities. He currently serves on the Choctaw Nation Business Committee, the National Health Service Corps National Advisory Council and the Tribal Technical Advisory Committee for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Gary and his wife Angie have two children and two grandchildren and reside in Clayton, Oklahoma.

Joy Culbreath, Vice-Chairman of the Board

Joy D. Culbreath retired from Southeastern Oklahoma State University after twenty-seven years working in TRIO programs and teaching in the Business Department. Joy has been employed by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma since 1993. After directing the Adult Education Program, she became Executive Director of Education and presently serves in that capacity.

More About Joy Culbreath

Joy graduated from Lubbock High School in 1957. After graduation, she attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Education and Elementary Education, Master of Behavioral Studies (Certified Professional Counselor) and Master of Administration.

Joy has a great love for children and young people and was recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Regents as the first recipient of the “Champion for Student Success” award.

Brad Spears, Administrator of Jones Academy

Brad W. Spears has been a full-time employee of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma since 1995. He began his part-time employment at the age of 14, working at Jones Academy on the summer JTPA Program. During high school and his first two years of college, he worked as a tutor for junior high and high school students at Jones Academy.

More About Brad Spears

In October 1995, Brad was named Director of the Choctaw Nation Upward Bound Math/Science Program.  In June 1997, Brad was promoted to Administrator of Jones Academy.  Brad earned his Bachelor’s degree in Math Education from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma and his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.

Linda Powers, Secretary of the Board of Directors

Linda Powers graduated from Durant High School in 1970 and hoped to be the first in her family to go to college. She attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with secondary certification, and a M.Ed. with certification in School Counseling.

More About Linda Powers

While attending SOSU she served as President of her national sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau, and was selected to serve on the President’s Club, Panhellenic Council, and Phi Beta Lambda.

After graduation she was employed by her alma mater working in TRIO Programs, Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math/Science. Over time, she knew she had found her passion and was soon both writing and administering these federal grant programs. She also served as an officer within both her state and regional professional organizations advocating for underrepresented youth in Washington, D. C.

In 1992, Linda joined the staff of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She began her career with the Tribe writing federal TRIO proposals and directing the Upward Bound Program, administering its eight-week intensive summer program for high school students at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. She now serves as the Educational Talent Search Program Director working with disadvantaged students in grades six through twelve endeavoring to increase high school graduation and postsecondary admission rates within this rural area.

Linda has committed many years to serving underrepresented, potential first-generation college students, as she herself once was. She continues to work tirelessly within the rural communities in southeastern Oklahoma helping to change attitudes regarding the importance of postsecondary education.

Linda has also enjoyed working to help the youngest members of her local community through the Toys for Tots campaign and other various organizations. She is a devoted mother who enjoys camping, hiking, reading and spending time with her family.

Ryan Garner, Treasurer of the Board of Directors

Bio coming soon.

Mike Freeny, Board Member

Mike Freeny was born and raised in the town of Caddo in Bryan County, Oklahoma. He attended Oklahoma State University and has worked in the Oil and Gas Industry for 30 years as President of Chemex, Inc., a manufacturer of Oil and Gas processing equipment for domestic and international markets.

More About Mike Freeney

Mike and his wife, Pat, have been supportive of Jones Academy Foundation for the past eleven years. They plan to further that effort by helping to support the expanded education program at Jones Academy.

Alan Lovesee, Board Member

Alan Lovesee is an attorney with more than 30 years’ experience in federal and state legislation, administration, and human resources. Alan currently serves as Director of Congressional Relations for the Choctaw Nation, representing the Tribe on legislative and administrative initiatives.

More About Alan Lovesee

Having earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of LouisvilleSchool of Law, Alan is especially interested in education issues. He authored West’s Federal Practice Manual in Education which is considered “the lawyer’s reference book”. He also spent 18 years as Counsel to the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Education and Labor.

Jon A. Marshall, Board Member

Jon A. Marshall has served in various operational and managerial roles with GlobalSantaFe, an international offshore drilling contractor and NYSE listed company, since 1979.   In May 2003, he was appointed a Director and President and Chief Executive Officer. 

More About Jon A. Marshall 

Jon is a former Chairman of the National Ocean Industries Association and continues to serve as a director.  He is a former Director of the American Petroleum Institute and the International Association of Drilling Contractors, a member of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Texas, and President of the Marshall Foundation. 

Jon earned a B.S. in Engineering from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1973.

Dana McDaniel Bonham, Board Member

Dana McDaniel Bonham earned a Bachelor’s in Communications from Oklahoma City University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas - School of Law in Austin, Texas. Coming from a family of educators, Dana was raised to believe in the importance of education and the difference it can make in an individual’s life.

More About Dana McDaniel Bonham

In her career, Dana has served as a coordinator of regional and national education efforts, as well as, Director of the Grants, Research & Development office for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. With a great love for children, nature, and animals, Dana is especially interested in the tremendous potential of Jones Academy to educate American Indian students in a holistic, supportive environment.  Dana also works with her husband and son on their ranch, raising foundation-bred quarter horses.

Ruth Lynn Hooper, Board Member

Ruth Lynn Hooper was born in Dallas, Texas, while her father was fighting in the Pacific Theater World War II. Her grandparents helped to raise her. Both came from long lines of educators. After the war, her father stayed in the U.S. Army. For Grades 1-12, Ruth Lynn was in 6 different school systems.

After earning her masters in Biology and her doctorate in Entomology followed by a post-doctoral fellowship, Ruth Lynn joined the U.S. Army herself. She has lived for over 9 years outside of the U.S. (France, Canada and Japan.) She has lived in the states of Texas, Kansas, Washington, Virginia, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico. She retired from the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps as a full colonel.

In the U.S. Army, several of her assignments involved teaching. She enjoys finding and reading books that she thinks would open new worlds for students. She also brings interesting works of art, drums, and globes. Often accompanied by Augustine, an Australian Shepherd, Ruth Lynn enjoys visiting with students and staff at Jones Academy.