Our Board of Directors

  • Nathan Smith

    FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Nathan (M.Ed, MS) is 2005 graduate of Hillsboro High School. The son of a HMS/HHS English teacher, he has fond memories of running through the halls of the old building after hours and treasures the memories he made in that space. He is excited to bring the school back to life and pursue projects that foster community connection.

    Nathan founded The Human Experience, a nationally-recognized middle school in Orlando, FL, and currently designs video-based learning curriculum that helps kids engage with and enjoy reading.

  • Dr. Tara Beery

    HIGHLAND COUNTY HISTORIAN

    Tara Beery is a retired veterinarian with a passion for Hillsboro's history.

    Tara is the author of Images of America: Hillsboro (a pictorial history of Hillsboro), A History of Higher Education in Hillsboro, OH, and A History of Public Education in Hillsboro, OH (the book that served as the inspiration for the HHS VR Project). She lives in Hillsboro with her husband, son, and daughter.

  • Dallas Puckett

    PARTNER, VR PROJECT LEAD
    McCARTY ASSOCIATES

    Dallas Puckett is a registered architect and managing member at McCarty Associates in Hillsboro, Ohio. In Ever Forward’s pilot project, the Hillsboro High School Virtual Reality Project, Dallas led a talented team to recreate the demolished school’s former glory. His architectural foundation was built at the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP program, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2015, then went on to complete his Master of Architecture at Miami University in 2017. Before McCarty Associates, Dallas spent four years as a project designer at one of Cincinnati’s largest architecture firms. In 2023, he achieved a major milestone by passing the Architect Registration Exams, officially becoming a Licensed Architect. Dallas continues to push boundaries in architecture, blending technical excellence with forward-thinking solutions – and looks forward to new community beneficial projects with Ever Forward.

  • Cody Mathews

    HHS TEACHER & COACH /
    LOCAL COMMUNITY ADVOCATE

    Cody Mathews is a HHS high school social studies teacher, football coach, father and husband. He grew up in Hillsboro and, after moving away for a year, decided he really loved the small town he grew up in and moved back to raise his family here.

    Cody has a strong passion for preserving everything that is charming about small towns, as well as playing a part in the efforts to revitalize them. He is excited to serve the community as part of our inaugural board.

Our Community Advisory Board

We are in the process of building a Community Advisory Board, a group of individuals who want to have a say in the projects we pursue and how we operate as an organization. Ideal candidates are those who seek active involvement in the community, are dedicated to collaboration, and believe in our mission and vision.

For more information, send us an email at forwardhillsboro@gmail.com.

A note about our Board of Directors:

The current members of Ever Forward’s Board of Directors were selected for their commitment to our current projects, their unique contributions to the Hillsboro community, and their expertise in advancing our mission and goals.

Ever Forward is all about strengthening community and creating connection, and is therefore a non-partisan organization that seeks to stay clear of divisive topics and instead focus on projects that bring us together. We encourage our Board members and individuals connected to our organization to fully exercise their personal beliefs and convictions, but to also keep our mission of unity at the forefront in their duties.

We plan to make quarterly board meetings open and available to the public.