Friends of Rea Park, Inc. Board of Directors/Officers

Dr. Michael L. Harding, President  

Mike grew up in Terre Haute, graduating from Honey Creek High School and Indiana State University while working as a student at Rea Park in the 1960s and 70s.  He holds a Ph.D. in educational administration and a M.P.A. in public administration, both from ISU.  He also earned a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University's Center for Philanthropy at IUPUI.  

Mike has experience in both public education and private business.  He served thirty years in public education at elementary, secondary and collegiate levels.  He worked as an assistant superintendent, principal, teacher and coach for two southern Indiana school districts.  He held the position of adjunct associate professor at the University of Southern Indiana teaching school administration and school test and measurement courses.  He was Ivy Tech Southwest's regional workforce/Tech Prep director in Evansville, IN.  And, he has eight years private sector experience, working as a surface mine engineer for the Old Ben Coal Company in Gibson County, IN. 

Dr. Harding is an avid golfer.  He grew up at Rea Park where he was a Terre Haute Boys City champion, as well as a sectional, Vigo County, and Western Indiana Conference  champion. He played collegiate golf at Middle Tennessee State, and as an adult, has continued to play tournament and recreational golf.  He has been able to enjoy playing some of the worlds's most famous courses, including St. Andrews, Royal County Down, Pebble Beach, and Pinehurst No. 2.  

Mike is married, currently serves on the Indiana Golf Association Board of Directors, is a member of the Downtown Terre Haute Rotary Club, and the Society of Hickory Golfers.  He enjoys traveling the world with his wife Donna each summer.  He is now retired and lives in Terre Haute.   

William V. Verdeyen, Vice President

William M. Olah, J.D., Secretary

Bill is a Terre Haute native, and another former Rea Park student worker.  He graduated from Wiley High School (1970) and Rose Hulman Institute of Technology (1974).  After several years in industry, Bill attended the University of Arkansas School of Law, graduating with a juris doctor (J.D.), cum laude.  

Bill is retired from the Wilkinson, Goeller, Modesitt, Wilkinson & Drummy law firm.  His specialties were corporate and commercial law, taxation law, real estate law, and estate and trust planning.

Bill has served on the board of directors of numerous business, civic, charitable, and church concerns in the Terre Haute area.  Married to Janet, Bill now divides his time between golf and fishing.

O. Earl Elliott, C.P.A., Treasurer

Earl is a 1972 graduate of Terre Haute Schulte High School in Terre Haute, and a 1976 graduate of Indiana State University.  As a younster, he grew up playing the Stadium and Rea Park golf courses.   

Earl is president of Sackrider and Associates accounting firm in Terre Haute.  He joined Sackrider and Associates in 1981 after four and a half years employment at a national accounting firm.  His areas of expertise include auditing, financial reporting, and consulting to many industries, including financial institutions, contractors, non-profit entities and benefit plans.  He also  provides income tax preparation and planning for businesses and individuals.

Earl is a member of the Terre Haute Rotary Club, and the Dean's Advisory Business Council of the Scott College of Business at Indiana State University.  He has served on the Board of Directors of the Indiana State CPA Society and Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation.  Earl is an elected member of the Terre Haute City Council. 

Earl enjoys golf-related travel with his wife Tina, and spending quality time playing with and reading to his grandchildren. 

Duke Bennett, Mayor

Gordy Bryan, Parks Board Member

Nancy Cummings, Parks Board Member

Jon Wright, Board Member

Bobby Moore, Board Member

Eddie Bird, Parks Superintendent

Tina Bauer, Asst Parks Superintendent

Greg Towne, City Golf Director

David Kennedy, Rea Golf Pro

Bob Arnett

George Azar

Kathy Berlin

Kris Bilyeau

Bill Burdine

Jim Cook

Ralph Dale

Ron Danielson

Dan Hopkins

Gary Hosking

Tom and Sharon Horrall

Jeannie Ji

Jim Jenkins

Amanda Jukes

Dallas Kelsey

Art Miley

Pat Mozley

Pat Ralston

Bernard Ridens

Dan Sanders

Paul Stanley

Liz Torrence

Milt Van Reed

Sue Verdeyen

Ken Wooden

Scott Williams

Phillip Wade

Bob Wright

Ball State University Archives 

Indiana Landmarks - Tommy Kleckner

Indiana State Parks - Jodi Heaston

Indiana State University MPA Program - Dr. Nathan Myers

Indiana State University Womens Golf Team - Greg Towne

Sanders & Associates, Inc. - Dan Sanders and Amanda Jukes

Tabco, Inc. - Kris Bilyeau

Terre Haute Tribune Star - Mark Bennett, David Hughes

Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce - David Haynes and Kristin Craig

Terre Haute Economic Development - Steve Witt

Terre Haute Visitors and Convention Bureau - David Patterson

Terre Haute Golf Association - Tom Jones

Terre Haute Womens Golf Association - Eileen Mann

Terre Haute South High School - Principal Tammy Rowshandle and Asst. Principal Steve Joseph

Terre Haute Tomorrow - Brian Miller

The Oakley Foundation

Wabash Valley Community Foundation - Bev Tevlin

Wabash Valley Tennis Club & Terre Haute Junior Tennis Club - Kris Bilyeau

WTHI - TV - Jon Swaner

WTWO - TV2 - Mike Tank

Vigo County Public Library - Matt Bird

Sycamore Club - Jim Bell