Mark Cockroft

Board President

2010 - Current

Steuben and Noble County Representative

My name is Mark Cockroft. I’m retired from the classroom after 32 years teaching at East Noble High School and currently serve as the internship coordinator at Impact Institute. I also work in the private sector as a partner and manager for Fort Wayne Storage. 

My role with Boomerang Backpacks is to serve as the board president along with serving as the local coordinator with the East Noble schools. 

My journey with Boomerang Backpacks started in 2009 as a class project for an elementary school in Kendallville. Through the generosity of many donors and the hours of volunteer service, we have been able to expand to many schools and help thousands of children.

I truly believe that it is important for youth and adults to give back to their communities and help in many areas.  The area that is near and dear to my heart is helping youth that suffer from a lack of food in their households.

David Frey

Board Treasurer

2010 - Current

DeKalb County Representative

I am employed at Lake City Bank in Auburn, Indiana.  I also live in Auburn and represent DeKalb County programs.

Jaymi Sullivan

Secretary

2017 - Current

Allen County Representative ​

I am employed at Ruoff Home Mortgage, LLC as a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer and serve Allen County.

I feel passionate about Boomerang Backpacks because no child should go hungry.  If children are not receiving the proper nutrition they will not learn as well, be as healthy, their brains will not develop properly and their road to success will be much more difficult.  Boomerang Backpacks recognizes this and continues to make an impact in every child we can reach.

Kara Conrad

Board Member

2010 - Current

Steuben County Representative 

My name is Kara Conrad and I have been a Special Education teacher at Angola Middle School since 2005. I work with students who have learning disabilities, autism, mild cognitive disabilities, and more. I also provide homebound services to students who cannot attend school due to medical or behavioral needs.

As a board member, I focus on fundraising events and also serve as a Boomerang Backpacks co-coordinator for MSD of Steuben County Schools.

I joined the Boomerang Backpacks Board of Directors in 2010 to help fulfill a need in Steuben County. Helping struggling or at-risk children and families is very important to me.

Dan Nickolson

Board Member

2018 - Current
​DeKalb Eastern County Representative

More information coming soon!

Tara Carlile

Board member

2019 - Current

Kosciusko County Representative

​My name is Tara Carlile, a wife and mother of three.  I am active in the Warsaw Community serving as a CASA for Kosciusko County, volunteering at church and at Jefferson Elementary.  

I have been involved in the Boomerang Backpack program for over six years helping pack and distribute over 450 backpacks in our community.  This program is very near and dear to my heart.  I had the honor of joining the board in 2019 to represent Kosciusko county.

Kyrie Hernandezpeterson

Executive Director

Kyrie Hernandezpeterson is a native of Kendallville, Indiana, and an East Noble High School graduate. During her time as a student at East Noble, one of her teachers, Mark Cockroft (current Board President), founded Boomerang Backpacks. Kyrie had the pleasure of serving the organization in those early days & continued to support this vital non-profit over the years by participating in the annual golf outing with her father Joe Hernandez Sr.  As of October 1, 2021, she is excited to have taken on the role of Executive Director.

Kyrie graduated with honors from Trine University in 2013 and earned her Master’s degree from Trine in 2014. Her previous work roles include Claims Specialist with Drs. Roush & Will Optometrists and HIV Testing Coordinator with Positive Resource Connection. Kyrie has also been an Adjunct Professor in the Psychology Department at Indiana Tech since 2016.

Currently, Kyrie resides on the Northwest side of Fort Wayne with her husband, Michael, their two children Niko and Myka, their Siberian Husky, Balboa, and cat, Saltalamacchia (Salty).

In addition, Kyrie has four step-children (Shane (& wife Brittni), Luke, Hudson, & Taylor) and one grandson (Caspian). Outside of work, Kyrie enjoys reading, following baseball (Go Red Sox!), watching movies, going to concerts, and mostly spending time with her family.