About
The Hoover City Schools Foundation is a community-driven organization dedicated to enhancing the educational experience of students within the Hoover school district. By providing direct funding through teacher-led grants, the Foundation empowers educators to implement innovative programs and hands-on learning opportunities that go beyond the traditional classroom setting.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ann Marie Harvey
Email: [email protected]
Since graduating from Samford University with a degree in Journalism/Mass Communications, Ann Marie Harvey has spent her career telling people’s stories. As the executive director of the Hoover City Schools Foundation, Ann Marie is now telling the story of the Foundation’s mission with the greater Hoover community. As the daughter of an elementary school teacher, she has seen firsthand how hard teachers work and is excited to be able to spend her time fostering community awareness, raising funds and returning them to the classroom to the benefit of both teachers and students. “It’s rewarding to see how teachers are using their grant awards in their classroom,” she says. “What we do truly makes a difference to their students.”
A native of Northern Kentucky, Ann Marie and her husband, Todd, raised their two adult daughters in Hoover. In their spare time, they enjoy visiting Susannah, who lives and works in dance and theater in Chicago, and Sarah Page and her husband Patrick, who live and work in her mom’s hometown. Ann Marie is an avid CrossFitter, quilter, reader and writer.
Board of Directors
Takeria Stephens
President
Takeria Stephens, a Birmingham native and University of Alabama graduate, serves as Senior Vice President, Fair Lending Compliance Manager, with more than 15 years at Regions Bank. A passionate advocate for education and community, she has been a dedicated member of the Hoover City Schools Foundation Board since 2019. In this role, she champions innovative programs that empower educators and enrich student learning.
Takeria's commitment to education is deeply personal—she’s the proud mother of two Hoover students, Kylie, a senior at Hoover High, and Greyson, a fifth grader at Deer Valley Elementary. Together, they actively volunteer and support causes that strengthen the Hoover community.
In addition to her work with HCSF, Takeria has contributed her time to numerous nonprofits across Hoover and Birmingham, driven by a strong belief in giving back. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with her children, discovering new places, watching basketball and cheering them on at their sporting events.
Paul Dangel
Vice President
As director of sales and marketing for Hyatt Regency Birmingham–The Wynfrey Hotel, Paul Dangel leads the team responsible for attracting events and conventions to Hoover’s largest hotel.
A graduate of Western Carolina University with a degree in sport management, Paul began his career working with the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and later with the New York Islanders. He eventually transitioned into hotel and convention center management, relocating to Birmingham in 2001 to join the Sheraton Birmingham. He also served on the opening team for the Westin Birmingham.
Paul is a past chair of the Leadership Hoover Board of Directors and serves on the City Sales Board of Directors. He is also president of the RC3 PTO and a member of the J-Lab Birmingham Bowl host committee.
Paul and his wife, Sandy, live in Trace Crossings. Their daughter, Shelby, is an 11th-grade student at Hoover High School and RC3.
“The Foundation is important because it helps meet needs the city cannot necessarily fill,” Paul says. “The stories we hear about the Foundation’s work in classrooms are both meaningful and inspiring. I look forward to serving on the board and helping advance its mission.”
Shilpa Gaggar
Secretary
Shilpa Gaggar is a native of New York. After graduating from pharmacy school at the University of Michigan, she moved to the Birmingham area in 2001 for husband Amit’s residency in pulmonary critical care at UAB. Shilpa spent 13 years as a pharmacist at UAB Hospital and has worked an infusion clinic pharmacist at Kirklin Clinic since 2014.Â
After moving to Hoover in 2006, Shilpa got involved with PTO. She then joined the Foundation Board in 2019 and is looking forward to continue helping the Student Board, getting more insight into how the Foundation helps the district and seeing teachers’ ideas come to fruition through the grants given.
In her spare time, Shilpa enjoys singing with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Chorus and being involved with Hoover Ahead, an organization promoting diversity, inclusion and equity regarding education in the community. Shilpa and Amit have two children, Akash, a sophomore at the University of Michigan and Riya, a 10th grader. The family enjoys traveling and keeping up with the kids’ many activities.
Tangela Thomas
Treasurer
Tangela Thomas knew from a young age that she wanted to be an attorney. As the first in her family to attend college, she earned a political science degree from the University of Alabama before earning her law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. After a successful legal career in Texas, she returned to Birmingham in 2013 and currently serves as in-house counsel for Allstate. With more than 20 years of experience in civil litigation, Tangela is passionate about helping people through her work. “One of my greatest passions is protecting and serving my clients,” she says.
Outside of work, Tangela enjoys traveling, watching football, and cheering on her son Ian, a sixth grader at Bumpus Middle School. She’s also actively involved in his youth football league.
Her commitment to community and education fuels her enthusiasm for serving on the Hoover City Schools Foundation Board. “Supporting our schools helps build a brighter future for every child,” she shares.
James Beane
Sara Franklin
Layla Hamilton
Ted Hoffman
Krimson Revis
Elizabeth Tanner
Allison Taylor
Bevin Tomlin
Past President
Caroline Turner
Porsha Young
Friends of the Foundation
Keneisha Alford
Ashley Bryson
Carolyn Bunch
Randall Cottrell
Lucas Dorion
Reconda Nettles
If you're passionate about supporting public education in Hoover and want to make a meaningful impact, consider joining the Friends of the Foundation. This dedicated group of volunteers collaborates with the Board of Directors on various committees, programming, and fundraising efforts, meeting three to four times a year. It's the perfect way to get involved and contribute without a heavy time commitment. Help us shape the future of education in Hoover—apply today and become a Friend of the Foundation!
APPLY NOW!Student Board
Each year, a group of exceptional students joins our Student Board, bringing energy and fresh perspectives to our initiatives. These young leaders play a vital role in supporting our events and programs, gaining valuable experience while contributing to our mission. We are proud to provide opportunities for these students to develop leadership skills, make meaningful connections and help us enhance education in our community.
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Hoover City Schools Alumni Association
The Hoover City Schools Alumni Association was established to foster connections among HCS alumni and offer opportunities for them to stay engaged with and support their alma mater. With more than 25,000 graduates worldwide, the association seeks to reconnect alumni with the school system, serving as valuable resources for current teachers and students.
Join the Alumni Association Today!
Reconnect, network and make an impact—join the Alumni Association and be part of something bigger!
READ OUR BLOG
Learning in Action: Stories from the Classroom
Discover inspiring stories of innovative teaching and student success, made possible through the Hoover City Schools Foundation. Follow along as we highlight the programs that are shaping the future of education in our classrooms.