Marcia Neal grew up on a ranch in Gunnison, Colorado.  She attended Gunnison schools and earned Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Western State College.

She has been a business owner and had a 21 year career in teaching, finishing her career at Grand Junction High School, where she taught U.S. History and World Geography.

She was elected to the Board of Education for Mesa County School Dist. #51 in 1997 and served eight years. In that capacity she served on the Colorado Association of School Boards Resolution (legislative) committee, and was a consistent voice for educational reform. She also served on the BOCES Board at the Bishop Campus of Western Colorado Community College and was committed to its’ Career and Technical Focus.

In 2005 she was chosen as an All-State Board member, one of five members state-wide.  She is currently a member of the board for Hilltop Assoc. and the Mesa County Public Library.  She serves on the Chamber of Commerce Bus/Ed Partnership committee, as well as participating on the Chamber Governmental Affairs committee.