@the_lotus -- I think as @Kashif mentioned above, the problem resides in being a website versus being a web application. My project is setup as a website. Web Applications compile into a single assembly which allows for access of aspx page members by multiple files. Websites compile into multiple assemblies, therefore, aspx page members are locked into their specified CodeFile. I did not realize this until I looked at your example and noticed that you used CodeBehind instead of CodeFile. I then referenced the Page Directive manpage on MSDN and looked at the difference between the two. The Web Site vs. Web Application concept was specified on that page. This lead me to understand what @Kashif was talking about in the above comments.
Long story short, I need to make this into a Web Application project in order for this to work. Thank you for you effort and the example you provided. It was most helpful!