STEERING COMMITTEE

Mark Branon, L-31, F-35

Dean, Huntsville Campus | Calhoun Community College

Mark Branon serves as Calhoun Community College's Dean of the Huntsville/Research Park Campus He facilitates Calhoun's presence in Huntsville and Madison County through his transformational and charismatic leadership styles while promoting student success and workforce development Mark has served North Alabama as an EMS Educator and Paramedic for over 25 years He was the EMS Program Director and Chair of the Allied Health Department at Calhoun from 2008 until 2016 Under his guidance, Calhoun Community College won the League for Innovation Award for Innovation in the Community College setting and was a finalist for the acclaimed Bellwether Award for Innovation in Workforce Development Mark chaired the committee to develop the current state of Alabama EMS curriculum He serves as a site visitor for the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) Mark has received many awards for excellence, including the 2013 Alabama Community College System Chancellor’s Award for Technical Faculty of the Year, the John and Suanne Roueche League for Innovation Excellence Award, and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award Mark is married to his wife of 23 years, Regina, and has two beautiful children, Eli (age 20) and Emmie (age 15) He spends his time away from Calhoun serving as the Executive and Global Missions Pastor at Refuge Church and volunteering for international and domestic missionary causes with his family throughout the country, Central America, and the Caribbean

Ranae Bartlett, L-26

City Council Member | City of Madison - District 5

Ranae earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law where she was a member of the Arkansas Law Review and a member of the National Moot Court team Upon graduating from law school, she clerked for the Honorable Henry A Politz, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Ranae graduated with high honors from the University of Central Arkansas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in mathematics and political science Ranae and her family moved to Madison from Northwest Arkansas in 2003 where she worked for Walmart Stores, Inc as Assistant General Counsel and Director of Risk Analysis and Security Resources Upon moving to Alabama, she worked as a career law clerk to the Honorable C Lynwood Smith, Jr , US District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama She and her husband Todd have one son who graduated from Bob Jones High School and is currently attending the University of Alabama Ranae was appointed to the Madison Board of Education in June 2011 and was reappointed in 2016 She served as Vice-President from 2015-2017 and President from 2017-2020 In summer of 2020 she announced her candidacy for Madison City Council District 5 In 2020 she received the All-State School Board Member award from the Alabama Association of School Boards Ranae is a graduate of Class 26 of Leadership Greater Huntsville She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Huntsville Ranae also serves as President of the Madison City Chess League, a non-profit organization she created to promote chess education in North Alabama and is the Chess Coordinator for Madison City Schools In spring 2020, she accepted a position as Education Director for ChessKid com to assist the surge of students going online to play chess In that role Ranae trains educators and coaches around the world on how to utilize the ChessKid program to teach kids how to play chess Ranae serves as Co-Chair of the Chess in Education Committee for the US Chess Federation and is the Girls Chess Coordinator for the Alabama Chess Federation Ranae was elected to the Madison City Council in November 2020 She currently serves as President of the Council and on the HR Committee In April 2021, she was appointed as Madison's representative to the Huntsville Madison County Public Library Board

Jason Parks, C-5, L-35

Senior Pastor | Refuge Church

Jason Parks is known for his visionary leadership and his anything is possible outlook With 20 years experience in corporate communications, professional development and global ministry, Jason is a sought after motivational speaker, Bible teacher, and professional trainer He’s spoken to over 2,000 audiences - from professional development workshops to public diplomacy with world leaders - and frequently speaks on leadership, communication, mental health, soul care and marriage enrichment Jason is the Senior Pastor & Chief Executive Officer of Refuge Church, a multisite church serving the Tennessee Valley and a global, online ministry, Church at My House which is viewed by over 27 5 million people in over 120 countries He is a subject matter expert in leadership for the Office of Professional and Continuing Education at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and has earned the designation Certified Maxwell Leadership Speaker, Coach & Consultant Jason loves his community He has spearheaded efforts to provide over 1,000,000 lbs of free groceries to his neighbors in need including the creation of a free grocery store Refuge Market Jason led the development of Rooms of Refuge which provides dream bedroom makeovers to children and teens facing life-threatening illnesses He also partnered with the Tim Tebow Foundation to bring Night to Shine, an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs, to the Greater Huntsville area Jason has earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts from the University of North Alabama, a Master of Business Administration from Liberty University, and a Master of Divinity from Rockbridge Seminary He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Theology degree He is also a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor, a Certified Mental Health Coach, a Certified Addictions & Recovery Ministry Specialist, and Advanced Certified in Human Behavior He has served as a board member for several local nonprofit organizations including:

UCP of the Tennessee Valley, Downtown Rescue Mission, and Alzheimer’s Association Mid-South Chapter He is currently on the board for the American Red Cross North Alabama Office Jason is a graduate of Leadership Huntsville Flagship Class 35, a member of Huntsville’s Committee of 100 and a member of Huntsville Rotary Club

Flagship Class 37

Program Dates 2023 - 2024

Opening Retreat

Thursday, August 10, 2023

Friday, August 11, 2023

Living Like A Local

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Arts & Entertainment

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Human Services

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Education

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Government

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Behind the Gate

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Health & Wellness

Wednesday, March 7, 2024

Public Safety

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Launch Retreat

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Friday, April 26, 2024