Cody Morehead

Cody Morehead is a leadership strategist, speaker, and community builder who believes thriving communities begin with people who are inspired to lead, serve, and create meaningful change.

For more than two decades, Cody has led organizations, developed teams, mentored emerging leaders, and helped people navigate growth, purpose, and resilience. His work has taken him to colleges, universities, conferences, leadership summits, camps, and organizations across the United States, where he has spoken to audiences of thousands on leadership, team culture, community engagement, and the power of investing in the next generation.

Driven by a deep love for Jackson County, Brooklyn, and Michigan’s Irish Hills, Cody also serves as the Curator of the Restore the Star initiative, leading the restoration of Brooklyn’s historic Star Theatre into a catalyst for arts, entertainment, economic development, and community connection. His work reflects a simple belief: when people gather around shared experiences, communities become stronger.

Beyond the stage, Cody coaches cross country and track at Columbia Central High School, where he enjoys helping young athletes discover confidence, discipline, and the value of teamwork. He believes some of life’s most important lessons are learned long before the finish line.

Above every title and accomplishment, Cody is most proud to be a husband and father of Four, Blaze (7), Stryker (6) Fina (5) and Rune (7mo). Whether he’s speaking to thousands, coaching a student-athlete, or helping revitalize a small town, his mission remains the same: to inspire people to build stronger teams, stronger communities, and lives that leave a lasting impact.

Mark Neville

My name is Mark Neville, and if you're reading this hoping to learn why I'm passionately running for the Board of Education, you're about to be disappointed.

The truth is that I wasn't planning to run. In fact, I was hoping someone else would. Unfortunately for me, there were more open seats than candidates, and enough community members convinced me that I should put my name on the ballot. Since three people are running for three positions, there isn't much point in asking for your vote—you've all done a fantastic job of ensuring I can't escape this.

Please don't mistake my reluctance for a lack of concern. I care deeply about our schools, our students, our teachers, and our community. Having already spent two months filling a vacancy on the Board back in 2022, I knew exactly what I was agreeing to—and I was still hoping someone else would step up.

Now that I've found myself in this position, I plan to approach it the same way I do everything else: ask good questions, listen carefully, make decisions based on facts, be fiscally responsible, and do what's best for our district—not what's easiest or most popular.  I’m excited to be a part of our growing district.

So, while I can't honestly say this is a job I wanted, I can promise that if I'm going to have it, I'll do everything I can to do it well.

Thanks,

Mark

A little about yourself / your background

I’m Lindsey Schiel, and I’m a fourth-generation Golden Eagle. This district and community have been part of my family’s story for generations, and now I’m raising my own family here as well. My oldest just graduated from Columbia, and I currently have a sophomore, a freshman, and a fourth grader in the district.

Outside of my family, I stay involved in the community through Girl Scouts and Kiwanis, and I own a leadership coaching and consulting business. I care deeply about the people who make this community what it is and about continuing to make our schools a place families are proud to be part of.

Your connection to the district

My connection to the district runs deep. As a fourth-generation Golden Eagle, Columbia has been part of my family for a very long time.

Today, I experience the district not only through that history, but also as a parent and as someone who is actively involved in the community. I’ve seen firsthand how much our schools matter, not just to students, but to families and to the overall strength of our community.

Why are you running for the Board of Education?

I’m running because I care about this district and want to continue being part of its future.

I believe our schools should be a place where students are challenged and supported, staff feel valued, families feel heard, and the community has confidence in the decisions being made.

I also believe a strong board should be willing to ask questions, listen to different perspectives, communicate openly, and keep the long-term health of the district at the center of its decisions.

What do you hope to accomplish should you be elected?

I want to help continue moving the district forward while protecting the things that make Columbia special.

That means supporting strong academic opportunities for students, being thoughtful and responsible with district resources, supporting and retaining great staff, improving communication with families and the community, and making decisions with both today and the future in mind.

More than anything, I want to help make sure Columbia remains a district families are proud to call their own and one that continues to serve generations of Golden Eagles to come.