Reed ‘RC’ Cleland is a lifelong Upstater, with roots in the Village of Homer since 2005. He was first exposed to politics as a junior in high school, when the Homer American Legion Post 465 nominated him as a delegate to New York Boys’ State 2017. As a senior, he gained early hands-on experience in local government after interning for then-Clerk of the Legislature, Eric Mulvihill, and working in the office of then-Mayor of the City of Cortland, Brian Tobin. After graduating from Homer Central Schools in 2018, Reed earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, where he received summa cum laude with Honors Distinction.
Since graduating from Colgate in 2022, Reed is happy to have returned to Cortland County, a region he envisions as his lifelong home. He works as a full-time Substitute Teacher for Homer Central Schools, and he is the Club Advisor to Homer High School’s Shakespearean & Thespian Society, where he directs two theatrical productions per year. He is a Co-Chair of the Cortland County Youth Board, works as an academic tutor for CNY Tutoring, and volunteers with the Cortland County Democratic Committee and the Cortland County League of Women Voters. In moments of spare time, he can be found performing with the Center Players or enjoying long walks around the village with Gia and Phoebe.