Mayor’s Office

Mayor Mike Absher took office in April 2019.  Mayor Absher is a lifelong resident of Marion.  He graduated from Marion High School in 1989 and obtained a business degree from SIUC thereafter.  He is the founder and CEO of Watermark Auto Group and was nominated the 2015 Citizen of the Year at the Annual Dinner of the Marion Chamber of Commerce.

In an interview with The Southern Illinoisan newspaper, Absher stated, “For us to be successful as a town, we need to have more of an entrepreneurial mindset to grow our economy. It’s not just about being business friendly, I believe we need to become an oasis of opportunity for all companies. From big manufacturers like Aisin to smaller shops and service providers. Our economic resiliency is dependent on a diverse job opportunities that will provide workers with what they need to thrive in Marion.”

Chief of Staff, Cody Moake helps Mayor Absher oversee the day to day operations for the City of Marion. Additionally, Mr. Moake serves as the City’s TIF Administrator and assists the City’s Economic Development Director in helping build Marion’s commercial and residential bases.

Mr. Moake has served the City of Marion since 2019 after serving in the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office and the Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office. Mr. Moake holds a Bachelor’s Degree from SIUC and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Illinois-Springfield. He is a lifelong Marion resident where he resides with his wife and two daughters.