Ozel Vatik, Head of the Kedumim Local Council. In his previous role, he served as Director of the Division for Public Affairs, Media, Information, and Public Inquiries at the Ministry of the Interior, and as an appointed council member on behalf of the Ministry in the establishment of the Sha’ar Shomron Local Council. Before that, he was Deputy CEO for Operations, Service, and Marketing at CityPass, the company that built and operated Israel’s first light rail line. In parallel, he served in the reserves as an officer in the Home Front Command, training municipalities for emergency preparedness and serving as a public spokesperson on television and radio during times of crisis. He also worked in various communication and journalism roles. Ozel holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from Ono Academic College; a master’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management from Tel Aviv University; and is a graduate of professional training programs in corporate governance (directorship), mediation, personal coaching, senior management, trauma, and resilience. He lives in Kedumim, is married, and is the father of six. Ozel is also a long-distance runner— “marathoner” and running enthusiast.