Barrett Owens was appointed to the Board of Trustees in September 2019. In May 2021 he was elected to serve as President of the Board. Mr. Owens has lived in the Lovejoy district since 2005. He and his wife, Paige, have three children which currently attend Lovejoy schools. Mr. Owens owns and operates William Anthony Homes, a luxury custom builder and developer in the Lovejoy and north Collin County area and is Owner and President of Capacity Lending, LLC a residential mortgage lending company. Prior to William Anthony Homes and Capacity Lending, LLC, Mr Owens was a member of the board of directors and the Chief Lending Officer for First National Bank of Trenton, now Cap Tex Bank. Mr Owens has worked in Real Estate Construction, Finance and Development as well as investment management for over 20 years. Mr. Owens earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas.
In the community, Mr. Owens is a member of Chase Oaks Church. Mr. Owens is also active in youth sports and coaches baseball and softball with his son Cooper and daughters Jade and Macy.. He enjoys teaching kids the value of teamwork, sportsmanship, and the privilege of being able to participate in sports.
“It’s a privilege to serve Lovejoy and the amazing people that make up this community and school district” notes Mr. Owens. “This school district is special for many reasons and in many ways. I am excited to use my knowledge, wisdom and experience to help make it the best it can possibly be for our children. Lovejoy is turning out tomorrow’s leaders and our strategic initiatives and priorities continue to provide an environment of success. Our community leaders must stay focused and committed to ensure our students continue the legacy of success that has become Lovejoy” “One Heart One Lovejoy!”
Board Members
Barrett Owens, President
Jeff Wood, Vice President
Jeff Wood was appointed to the Lovejoy Board of Trustees, Position 3 on August 24, 2020. He received a bachelors of business administration from Baylor University in 1997, and a juris doctorate from Texas Tech University School of Law in December of 1999. Mr. Wood was licensed to practice law in Texas in May of 2000, and has been practicing primarily in the area of civil litigation for 20 years. He is currently a partner at the Dallas based law firm of Steed, Dunnill, Reynolds, Bailey, Stephenson L.L.P. He was formerly an equity shareholder at Jones Carr McGoldrick L.L.P.
Mr. Wood and his family have lived in Lucas and supported Lovejoy since 2010. He has 3 children in the district: Jack- a 10th grader at Lovejoy High School; Parker- an 8th grader at Willow Springs Middle School, and Elizabeth- a 5th grader at Sloan Creek Intermediate School.
Mr. Wood has served on the board of directors for The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools since 2017, serving as the chair of the governance committee and also serving on the Men’s Tailgate committee. He has served as the WSMS Committee Chair for the Lovejoy Gridiron Club and served as Game Day Volunteer Coordinator for WSMS games 2017-2018, and freshman games in 2019. He served on the Naming Rights/ Sponsorship Advisory Committee to the Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees in 2018. In 2017, Mr. Wood answered the call to action to lobby on behalf of Lovejoy ISD during the 85th Texas Legislature Special Session to press state legislators for meaningful school finance reform in the face of a disturbing downward trend of state funding, and the resulting increased reliance on local tax revenue sources. Unfortunately, the proposed bill to overhaul public school finance was not passed in 2017. However, and with assistance from newly elected legislators, those efforts did eventually lead to the passage of HB 3 in 2019, which was a significant step forward in increasing state funds for all Lovejoy students, decreasing the disproportionate reliance on local taxes, and dramatically altering the impact of “recapture” funds that school districts such as Lovejoy were required to return to the state.
From 2010 through 2019, Mr. Wood served as a volunteer youth sports coach for Lovejoy students in organized, seasonal competitions including baseball, basketball, and both tackle and flag football. He also served as a volunteer coach for the 2023 and/or 2025 Lovejoy 7on7 teams between 2014 and 2019 in regional and state tournaments.
“I am excited and truly humbled to have the opportunity to serve our community as a member of the Lovejoy Board of Trustees during these unprecedented and challenging times. I understand that the true greatness of Lovejoy is found in the people who live, work and go to school within the district, and that behind every success, there are a great many people working together, sometimes behind the scenes, who contribute to that success. I am committed to supporting all the administrators, faculty, students, parents and volunteers that make Lovejoy such a special place.”
Best today. Better tomorrow.
Amy Smith, Secretary
Amy Smith was elected to the Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees in May 2016. She and her husband, Abe, have two children in the Lovejoy Independent School District, and two LISD graduates at Baylor and TCU. Amy is a Master Trustee and graduate of Leadership TASB Class of 2020, Leadership Allen/Fairview Class XXIV and the inaugural Leadership Lovejoy Class. Amy’s experience in the Leadership Lovejoy Class inspired her to create and implement the Lovejoy Letter Campaign. This campaign is a way for students and parents to personally express their appreciation and gratitude for all the employees of Lovejoy ISD. These hand-written letters are collected and subsequently delivered to the staff the Friday before Thanksgiving as a gesture to show how much they are valued.
Amy received the PTA Lifetime Member Award in 2016. She previously served as the PTA President at Puster Elementary, the Secretary and VP of Membership of the PTA Executive Board and served as a director on the Lovejoy Foundation Board. Amy is currently a member of the National Charity League with her daughter and has also served in the Junior League of Collin County. Through Junior League she was the community representative, working with Hopes Door in conjunction with the Juvenile Justice Division of Collin County. Through the Juvenile Justice Division of Collin County, Amy served as a mentor and conducted training sessions for juveniles aged 12-15 that had been placed on probation for nonviolent misdemeanor offenses.
Amy graduated from Baylor University with a BBA in Marketing and obtained a second degree from Ouachita Baptist University in Early Childhood Education. After teaching for four years in the classroom and after the birth of their first child, she opened a Kumon Math and Reading Center in McKinney. After ten years of growing a successful Kumon Center (and three more children later), Amy sold the business in May 2014. From 2014 to 2018 she was an event planner and fundraiser for the Baylor Scott and White Health Care Foundation raising funds for medical initiatives. Currently, Amy is the SW Region Development Director for School Engagement with the American Heart Association. Amy is also a certified Life, Growth and Health Coach.
When Amy is not running children around to their various activities, working or volunteering, you can find her on the tennis court. She has been married for more than 25 years to Reverend Doctor Abe Smith. Abe is a United Methodist minister as well as a life coach through his company SmithCoaching.com.
“I am passionate about ensuring all Lovejoy students continue to have the best quality educational experience; one that allows them to learn, grow and succeed both during their years in LISD and beyond. I am also dedicated to collaborating to make LISD an exceptional place to learn and work. It is a true honor and privilege to serve our Lovejoy family.”
Julie McLaughlin, Trustee
Julie McLaughlin was elected to Position 1 on the Board of Trustees in May of 2022. She was then appointed to the Board’s legislative subcommittee in September 2022.
Ms. McLaughlin and her family joined the Lovejoy community in 2016. Together with her husband, Malcolm, she has two children who have both attended Lovejoy since Kindergarten. Their daughter is in 5th grade at Sloan Creek, and their son is in the 2nd grade at Hart Elementary.
Ms. McLaughlin currently serves as Senior Vice President of Finance for Bread Financial (formerly, Alliance Data). She has spent her career in roles spanning accounting, financial planning, mergers & acquisitions, financial reporting, financial software application design and implementation, strategic procurement, facility management and internal control compliance. Ms. McLaughlin earned her Bachelor of Business Administration, Cum Laude, and Master of Science in Accountancy degrees from Texas A&M University in College Station. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
She serves as a Board Member and Finance Committee member of My Possibilities, a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities. Prior to being elected, Ms. McLaughlin volunteered as a Hart PTO Board Member, a member of the district’s inaugural Financial Sustainability committee, parent representative on the Lovejoy Elementary Campus Improvement Plan committee, and an Elementary room parent. The McLaughlin family currently attends Creekwood UMC.
“Lovejoy is uniquely special – not only as a top tier school district, but also as a supportive network of engaged families. I am highly motivated to serve and give back to our community; it is truly a privilege. I am dedicated to our collective goals of providing quality educational opportunities for students, keeping our children at the center of every decision, and ensuring the successful longevity of Lovejoy ISD.”
Kids Come First. Best Today, Better Tomorrow. One Heart, One Lovejoy.
Mark Wheelis, Trustee
Mark Wheelis is the newest Lovejoy School Board Trustee, having been sworn in on May 22, 2023. Since Mark and his family have moved to Lucas, he has served this district and shown his passion for Lovejoy. He’s been a Dad at Hart, youth basketball and soccer coach and a PTO member. He attends Late Night Leopard Campouts, Cheer Booster Club, Golf Booster Club, and various PTO activities. Mark, his wife, Gayla, and children, Jordan and Jenna, are members of Creekwood United Methodist Church, and all are very involved with the Lovejoy Community.
His involvement includes his service as a Board Member of the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools since 2014. He has served as President, Vice President, Treasurer and Past President. He helped raise over $4.3 million for Lovejoy ISD during his term. Mark’s financial background will be highly beneficial to this district.
He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Science in Accountancy. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 2003, and he’s also a licensed Insurance Broker and skilled negotiator.
His experience as the Chief Financial Officer, since 2009, for an $800 million company will be an asset to the Lovejoy School Board. Mark was selected by The Dallas Business Journal as the CFO of the Year in 2008. Mark’s ability to implement strategic and creative financial plans will serve the taxpayers of this district well.
Mark and Gayla bought their home in Lucas so their daughters could attend Lovejoy schools. Both Jordan and Jenna have been leopards since kindergarten. This fall, Jordan will be a sophomore at Lovejoy High School, and Jenna will be a seventh grader at Willow Springs Middle school. Mark is committed to keeping Lovejoy an outstanding school district for them and for all the children in this district. Being so involved in his children’s lives will keep Mark current with what’s going on in our schools. He looks forward to working with the superintendent, fellow board members, administrators, teachers, parents, and taxpayers. Wheelis knows the years ahead will be challenging, but he’s excited and ready to dedicate himself to the continuance of excellence for Lovejoy Independent School District!
Marvin Bobo, Trustee
Marvin Bobo was elected to the Board of Trustees in November 2020 and is currently serving his 2nd term.
Mr. Bobo and his family moved to Lovejoy in 2005. Since then, he’s been an unapologetic advocate for Lovejoy ISD, volunteering in various district-wide initiatives. He continues to serve the community through his time on the Lovejoy ISD board.
He also is involved at his church and is Scoutmaster for Troop 358, serving the Lovejoy community. Mr. Bobo holds bachelor’s and MBA degrees from Abilene Christian and Southern Methodist Universities, respectively. He’s also attended management and technology training programs. In 2024, Marvin was awarded Master Trustee by TASB after a year-long intensive training program, continuing a Lovejoy trustee tradition.
Throughout his career, Mr. Bobo has held diverse roles in technology, spanning functional and management positions across various industries such as supply chain, finance, retail, healthcare, and software. Currently, he manages real estate and other investments. He is an active participant in the North Texas Angel Network and serves on the ACU Entrepreneur Advisory Board. Mr. Bobo was raised in San Antonio, Texas, and started his career in Dallas, eventually settling in Lucas in 2005.
He has been married to Alysia for 32 years and has 3 sons. Alysia, a former teacher, has also been a volunteer in the district as well through PTA, former Foundation director, and various other Lovejoy boards. His oldest is a Lovejoy and Baylor grad and works in Austin. His middle child is also a Lovejoy grad and attends Belmont University. His youngest is in 7th grade at Willow.
In his free time, Marvin engages in a variety of hobbies, including traveling, cycling, golf, camping and hiking, board games, and listening to podcasts. Many of these hobbies allow him to spend quality time with his family.
Jason Jaynes, Trustee
Jason Jaynes was elected to the Board of Trustees in May 2021.
Mr. Jaynes has lived in the Lovejoy school district since 2011. He and his wife, Stacy, have four children that all attend Lovejoy schools.
After growing up in Plano, Texas and graduating from Texas A&M University, Mr. Jaynes began his career in public education teaching high school physics and chemistry in North Texas. He helped develop and pioneer a new elective curriculum in astronomy for the school. Mr. Jaynes made the transition from education to banking and financial services in 2002.
Mr. Jaynes and his family are active members at St. Jude Catholic Church. He has spent time volunteering in the district and coaching his kids in youth sports including soccer, baseball, basketball, and volleyball in the Allen Sports Association. He was also a member of the 2013 Long Range Facilities Planning Committee in Lovejoy.
“We moved our family from Allen to Lucas in 2011 right before our oldest daughter started kindergarten so that our kids could grow up in this community and experience what Lovejoy has to offer. I come from a family of career educators and am passionate about working to create an exceptional education opportunity for our students. I joined the Lovejoy ISD School Board because I want to give back to this community and use my personal experience in both education and business to help our district. I believe all of the kids here must be given the chance to find their own passions, reach their true potential, and develop into our leaders of tomorrow. I am honored and proud to serve Lovejoy and pledge to work diligently and collaboratively with the community to keep us on a path of excellence.”