YOUR DECA NATIONAL OFFICERS

Uzo N. Ogu

As a member of the John Foster Dulles HS DECA Chapter in Sugar Land, Texas, Uzo N. Ogu showed her dedication to DECA by never missing a monthly meeting even with a full schedule of activities and work. Besides DECA, Uzo (pronounced Oozie) was a reporter for the school newspaper, a National Honor Society officer, and Student Body President. During the 07–08 school year, Uzo held the office of Texas DECA State President. All the while, she maintained a part time job, tutored elementary students weekly, and was an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

To ensure a productive year with DECA, Uzo will defer a year of admission from the University of Texas at Austin where she will pursue degrees in Government and Marketing. Voted "Most Likely to Succeed" in her senior class, Uzo is determined to succeed at demonstrating to all DECA members that, through this organization, they can achieve the success that they dare to dream of.

As our National DECA President said, "DECA has taught me much more than marketing; I have learned how to represent myself and this organization in a professional environment, speak eloquently, and believe in myself. I am still in awe of what this organization has done for me and what it is capable of doing for others." This year Uzo looks forward to implementing a new Program of Work with Team 63 that will motivate every member to "Make Your Mark!"

Read Uzo’s journal.

Mike LeVecque

Mike LeVecque, your 2008/2009 North Atlantic Regional Vice President, is from Billerica, Massachusetts, where he was an active DECA member in his Billerica Memorial HS chapter since his sophomore year in high school. Like many others, Mike’s DECA journey began with a push. He only participated in DECA as a sophomore because it was a required part of the curriculum of a Marketing class he was enrolled in. Had it not been for his Chapter Advisor forcing him to compete in his first District Competition, Mike would never have experienced the difference that DECA has made in his life.

Mike placed second in Massachusetts DECA in the General Marketing Research category as a junior. He also ran a successful State Officer campaign, earning himself a position on the 2007/2008 Massachusetts DECA State Action Team. As a State Officer, Mike created and implemented several projects on a state level, including: a "Market DECA" written, competitive event; the Judge’s Rule’s Packet; and the first ever Massachusetts DECA Chapter Officer Training Day. Mike is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as your North Atlantic Regional Vice President and he is willing to do anything and everything to maximize your DECA experience and allow you to "Make Your Mark." Mike looks forward to taking DECA to new heights while he attends Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Read Mike’s journal.

Isaac Robinson III

Preparing for a third exciting year in DECA, your Central Region Vice President is ready to lead by example. Isaac is honored to serve the members of the Central Region as they "Make their Mark" in DECA this year. Believing that DECA offers vital skills that will last a lifetime, Isaac has taken advantage of all opportunities that DECA has offered.

In his first year in the McCluer North HS DECA chapter in Florissant, Missouri, Isaac ran for and was elected to serve as the Missouri DECA District 7 Vice President. His two proudest accomplishments during his term were organizing a toy drive with the United States Marine Corps during the holiday season that resulted in the donation of over 500 toys to needy children on Christmas, and conducting a twelve school penny war to that raised over $800 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The following year, Isaac was honored to continue his DECA service when his peers elected him President of Missouri DECA. During his term, Missouri DECA celebrated its 60th anniversary by increasing corporate sponsorships and actively participating in the "I Pledge to Vote" campaign by signing up members to vote. His biggest accomplishment was empowering students by completely overhauling Missouri’s Leadership Academy.

As Central Region Vice President, Isaac believes in the opportunities and possibilities of the Central Region. Isaac’s main focuses this year will be creating a new standard of communication and networking throughout the region, and creating more opportunities for each Central Region DECA member to "Make Your Mark."

Read Isaac’s journal.

Shelby Talbott

The start of a long and eventful career with DECA, Shelby Talbott was first introduced to the organization at Station Camp High School in Gallatin, Tennessee. Her developing love of marketing drove her to become actively involved with her local DECA chapter, despite her enrollment in multiple Advanced Placement classes and her participation in many other organizations.

During Shelby’s senior year at Station Camp High School, she ran for the position of Vice President on her local chapter’s board of officers. While in office, Shelby created the Program of Work for the year, ran the high school Bookstore, and headed up many fundraisers and projects. One such project was to begin implementing the founding of a DECA chapter in America Samoa, a U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean that was not already familiar with the organization.

Starting in the fall of 2008, Shelby Talbott is attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where she will be studying under the College of Business Administration.

It is with excitement that Shelby enters her term as the National Southern Region Vice President. Shelby’s dedication and enthusiasm for DECA and for helping others is virtually unmatched. Her goal as Southern Region Vice President is to touch the lives of others in just the way that her life has been touched by DECA.

Read Shelby’s journal.