National PTA is composed of 54 state congresses and nearly 26,000 local units in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Department of Defense Schools in Europe and the Pacific.
National PTA, as directed by its board of directors, provides leadership, programs, support, and resources to its members at all levels of the association. State PTAs are the liaison between the local PTA and National PTA, helping each to function effectively and to support and sustain the other.
PTAs at the local level are valuable assets to their school communities by providing educational and parent involvement information, resources, events, and activities. They are linked to the state PTA and National PTA, forming a nationwide network of members working on behalf of all children and youth.
 Betsy Landers, National PTA, President
Betsy Landers was installed as the National PTA® President at the June 2011 National PTA Convention and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida. She previously served a two-year term as National PTA President-elect (2009–2011) and Secretary-Treasurer (2007–2009). Her role in National PTA also included chairing the National PTA Advisory Board, the National Council of States, the Strategic Plan Committee, the Resource Development Committee, and the Finance Committee. Landers has been actively involved in negotiating new partnerships and alliances for the association to increase PTA’s role in serving diverse families, as well as improve the financial strength of the association.
From the moment she joined PTA® in 1989, Landers’ dedication to PTA has been unwavering. When she encountered challenges with her first PTA experience, she stayed with the group to ensure future volunteers had a better experience. When her children transferred to a new school, she helped form its first PTA and served as unit secretary. When her children transferred yet again, she helped form the first PTA in their new school, this time as president. She took on increasing responsibilities for Shelby County Council PTA, and then for the Tennessee PTA Board of Managers. Her goal was to help foster a widespread culture of excellence throughout the PTA local units in her state.
As Tennessee PTA State President, Landers led that organization in working with the State Board of Education and several legislators to write what would become the Parent Involvement Act, using what is now called the PTA National Standards for Family-School Partnerships as a model. This Tennessee law mandates that all school districts in the state have a written parent involvement policy. In 2004, she was honored with the Shelby County Schools Board of Education Community Service Award and in 2002, was named one of the "50 Women Who Make a Difference" by Memphis Women’s Magazine.
Landers has a special devotion to children’s safety. She dedicates time to the National Emergency Medical Services to Children (EMSC) Partnership for Children Stakeholder Group, the Tennessee EMSC Foundation, the Committee on Pediatric Emergency Care, and the Trauma Care Advisory Committee of Tennessee.
Although she occupies the highest office in PTA, Landers is quick to point out that the real power of PTA lies at the local level and plans to make a “back to basics” approach cornerstone of her tenure as National PTA President. “It’s the parents who dedicate themselves to improving their children’s education, PTA members who are committed to advocating for all children—those are the people who make a real difference.”
Landers and her husband Ben G. Landers have three children—Benton, Nicholas, and Mary Frances. They make their home in Germantown, Tennessee.
 Otha Thornton, President-Elect, National PTA
Otha Thornton, president-elect of National PTA, is a retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel. His last two assignments were with the White House Communications Agency and United States Forces-Iraq in Baghdad. He earned the Bronze Star Medal for exceptional performance in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009-2010.
Thornton served on the National PTA Legislative Committee. His service for the Georgia PTA included serving on the board of directors, as Legislative Chairman, as an Advisory Group member for Georgia's Partnership for Excellence in Education, and as a volunteer at Floyd Middle School and Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia.
Previously, Thornton served on National PTA's National PTA At-Large Board of Directors, Legislative Committee, Membership Committee, and Executive Search Committee. He also served Maryland PTA as Nominating Leader and Board Development Committee Chairman, and as a member of Anne Arundel County’s Superintendent High Performing High School Task Force. He was appointed by the governor of Maryland to serve on a Maryland Education Task Force
Thornton’s military background afforded him the opportunity to volunteer throughout the country and the world at various local and council levels. Thornton served as president (and earlier as vice president) of Meade Senior High School PTSA at Fort Meade, Maryland. He has also been a volunteer at Kaiserslautern American Elementary and Middle School PTAs, Department of Defense Education Activity, Vogelweh Air Force Base, Kaiserslautern, Germany; South Range Elementary School, South Range, Michigan; Houghton Elementary and Middle Schools, Houghton, Michigan; Fernandez Elementary School PTA events, San Antonio, Texas; and Richmond Hill Elementary School events, Richmond Hill, Georgia.
Thornton is also active in the community. He is a member of Atlanta’s West End Church of Christ and is a youth program volunteer. He works with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated as a Go to High School/Go to College Education Mentor. He is a Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association and has more than 25 years of active service in the scouting program across the United States and around the world.
Thornton received his Bachelors degree in 1989 from Morehouse College and Masters degree in 2001 from Michigan Technological University. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate from Michigan Technological University in 2009.
Thornton has been married 22 years to Caryn, an educator. They have a daughter attending Spelman College and a son at Morehouse College.
 Laura Bay, Secretary-Treasurer, National PTA
Laura Bay was elected and installed as the National PTA® Secretary-Treasurer at the June 2011 National PTA Convention. Prior to her election, she served a two-year term on the National PTA Board of Directors and on the finance and the field service committees. In 2007–2009 she also served on the organizational viability committee for National PTA. Bay is a passionate advocate for education and children’s issues and believes that PTA® is the organization which actively supports and promotes parent, teacher, and community involvement in child/education issues.
Ever since entering a kindergarten classroom with her oldest son 19 years ago—Bay’s dedication to PTA has become a passion. Bay was involved in local unit, council, and regional PTA activities for many years and served in a variety of PTA positions—from committee member/chair to president. She was also an active parent at each school building and at the district level— serving as a parent voice at staff meetings and on budget committees. She believes that the power of this association is found in the passionate and diverse volunteers who share a common desire to reach out and engage parents; support their community in voicing their needs concerning education and health/safety issues; and grow as leaders prepared to advocate anywhere and at any time.
As the Washington State PTA president in 2007–2009, Bay focused on developing leadership potential at all levels of PTA and facilitated the search and hiring of a new executive director. Also, during her tenure as president she led the Washington State PTA in collaborating with other organizations in the successful passage of Engrossed House Joint Resolution (EHJR) 4204—Simple Majority Initiative. She also provided testimony before state senate and house committees, led a rally on the capitol steps, and dedicated her time and energy in a statewide PTA campaign which led to the signing of HB 2261 (Basic Education Funding) with fellow education stake-holder organizations. Prior to serving as state president, Bay served on the Washington State PTA Board of Directors for six years as region director, secretary, and leadership director.
Bay and her husband Robert Bay have three adult children—Andrew, Matthew, and Celeste. She has worked for the Bremerton School District as an educator for the last 10 years and currently works in the district office as a coordinator for assessment and instruction. Bay and her husband make their home in Poulsbo, Washington where they enjoy time with family and friends.
 Eric R. Hargis, Executive Director, National PTA
Eric R. Hargis is National PTA’s executive director. Hargis was introduced to delegates at National PTA’s 115th Annual Convention and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.
“I am excited and honored to serve National PTA’s millions of members, board of directors, volunteers and staff. I look forward to continuing the legacy of this great American institution and working toward improving the lives and futures of America’s children,” said Hargis. “This position offers me the opportunity to help improve our nation’s future by fighting for our most valuable resource: our children.”
Hargis works in concert with the National PTA Board of Directors to continue long-term strategies and priorities that benefit families nationwide. He will integrate PTA's core values with the association's strategic plan to build on its purpose of speaking for every child with one voice.
"Eric has an established record of success from every organization he’s worked with, as well as the proven leadership our national staff needs to serve today's families and school communities," said Betsy Landers, National PTA president. "With his selection, we know that PTA® will grow stronger while reaching its goals in our strategic plan."
Hargis brings more than 30 years of non-profit experience including high level positions at the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Diabetes Association and the Arthritis Foundation. Most recently, Hargis was president and chief executive officer of the Epilepsy Foundation of America for more than 10 years.
A graduate of the University of San Diego, Hargis lives in Maryland with his wife and has two children.
Board Members
Robert Acerra
National PTA Board Member, 2011–2013
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Scott Allen
National PTA Board Member, 2011-2013
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Vito J. Borrello
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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Noel Castorena
National PTA Board Member, 2011-2013
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Nancy Cox
National PTA Board Member, 2011-2013
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Leslie Cushman
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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C. André Daniels
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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Jo Ann Fujioka
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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Edgar Hatrick
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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Ronald D. Herndon
National PTA Board Member, 2011–2013
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William Hite
National PTA Board Member, 2011–2013
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Kim Savery Hunt
National PTA Board Member, 2011-2013
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Jean Tokuda Irwin
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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Dee Jones
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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C. Ed Massey
National PTA Board Member, 2011–2013
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Lupé Morales
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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Melissa S. Nehrbass
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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Kathy Nevans
National PTA Board Member, 2011-2013
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Esther Parker
National PTA Board Member, 2011-2013
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Robert Pipkin
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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Shannon Sevier
National PTA Board Member, 2011-2013
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Debra Strauss
National PTA Board Member, 2011-2013
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Denise Sultz
National PTA Board Member, 2010-2012
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Sophia Waugh
National PTA Board Member, 2011-2013
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