Meet the Board

Meet the individuals behind the PTO—each one bringing their time, talents, and heart to create opportunities, organize events, and advocate for the success of every child. Whether coordinating fundraisers, planning school activities, or volunteering behind the scenes, our board members are committed to making a positive impact all year long.

We invite you to get to know our board members below and reach out with any questions, ideas, or ways you’d like to get involved. Together, we make great things happen!

  • President

    Germantown Hills captured our hearts in 2016 and I joined PTO shortly after.  My involvement over the years has been all over the board: class captain, event coordinator/volunteer, & craft show coordinator. It's been a joy to stay connected, make new friends, and help parents, teachers and students feel supported.  My husband Jesse & I have three girls- Gianna (junior at MTHS), Everly (5th) & Delaney (Pre-K 4).  Yes, I'll be fan-girling PTO until 2035! ;)  My day job includes accomplishing errands, running kids to tumbling, attending tennis matches, & planning events for our family-owned company (Getz Fire Equipment).  In my spare time, I love a good book!  Fun fact: in my previous life, I taught Family & Consumer Sciences at EPCHS (01-09) and some of my former students are parents of kids here at GHills! 

  • Vice President

    Tommy worked for 25+ years in the Higher Education setting before changing to a career as a Personal Trainer so that he could focus more on his duties as a Dad. His daughter is currently a second grader. Tommy also frequently serves as a substitute teacher at Germantown Hills.

  • Secretary

    Hi! My name is Alyssa Orton and I have served as secretary of the PTO since Spring 2025. My husband and I have three children, two of whom attend GHES. I am a Speech-Language Pathologist for Peoria Public Schools and am often found chauffeuring my kids to their various sports and activities.  I understand the challenges that come with balancing work, family, and school commitments.  As an educator, I appreciate how vital family engagement is to student success, and as a parent, I know how meaningful it is to feel informed and connected. I look forward to helping make our PTO a welcoming, effective space for collaboration and community.

  • Public Relations

    Hi! My name is Leslie Kelly. I’m involved with the PTO’s public relations efforts and love helping keep our school community connected and informed. My family moved to Germantown Hills about 11 years ago, and we’re so grateful to have found this wonderful place to raise our kids. Our oldest just graduated 8th grade after attending Germantown and is now at MTHS, and our youngest is in second grade here.

    In a former life, I served in the Air Force and worked in law enforcement in various roles, but my favorite role by far is being a mom. When I’m not working on PTO projects—like designing posts or promoting events—you’ll usually find me camping with my family or cheering on my kids at their activities.

    I look forward to helping our PTO keep growing as a welcoming, creative space that supports students, teachers, and families alike!

  • Treasurer

    Hi! My name is Jill Cookingham and this is my second year as Treasurer for the PTO. I will have two kiddos at Germantown Hills Elementary School this fall; Kinsey, 2nd grade and Morgan, Kindergarten. I absolutely love our school and try to volunteer as much as possible throughout the school year. I am also involved in my daughter’s Girl Scout troop, Metamora Area Weekend SnackPac, and our church. Outside of volunteering I enjoy boating with my family and our loyal dog, Nova.