Executive Council Nominees

AESA Executive Council Election 2022: Central Region Candidates

Updated: November 8, 2022

All CEOs of AESA's member-ESAs will have the opportunity to cast a vote for one of the following two candidates. The person who receives the most votes will become the Central Region representative to AESA's Executive Council.

Meet the Candidates

Bill Decker, Chief Administrator, Mississippi Bend AEA, Bettendorf, Iowa
 

In 2013, Bill Decker became Chief Administrator at Mississippi Bend AEA, Bettendorf, Iowa. MBAEA employs 300 staff and collaborates with 21 school districts educating 50,000 students along the Mississippi River. Over 23 years, Bill has served in various leadership roles, briefly with Nebraska’s NCSA and then primarily with School Administrators of Iowa, now serving his fourth term on Representative Council.
 
Bill’s education career spans 36 years in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Beginning as a teacher/coach, he has served as activity director, high school principal, and superintendent. His lifelong goal is “to leave it better than he found it.” In every situation, continuous improvement and innovation centered on student success have been priorities.
 
Mr. Decker holds degrees from Northwestern College (IA) and the University of South Dakota, with post-grad work at Iowa State University. In 1986, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Lori, and they have two children.

John M. Searles, Superintendent, Midland County Educational Service Agency
 

John Searles and has more than 30 years of service to public education. He has studied at Aquinas College, the University of Seville, Western Michigan University, and Michigan State University. John has served on the executive boards and as president of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators and the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators. John was appointed by former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and was reappointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Mental Health Diversion Council, and he serves on the boards of Disability Network, Midland Kids First, and the Arnold Center. Additionally, John served as co-chair of the Long-term Disaster Recovery Group after catastrophic flooding affected the region in May 2020. He is currently working on initiatives to develop and retain educator talent and to improve the the wellbeing of students and those who serve them.

No election necessary in Western and Southern Regions

Chris Moddelmog, KS, was the only candidate for the Western region: there was no election necessary.

Nancy Hutchinson, KY, was the only nominated candidate for the Western region: there was no election necessary.

These individuals were appointed to the executive council at its fall meeting.

The AESA Executive Council and AESA staff are grateful that these candidates have expressed their interest in representing each region. AESA thrives because of individual members who step forward to lead!