Your DECA National Officers: 2009 – 2010

Team 64 is looking forward to bringing the message of how membership in DECA can help you "Live, Learn, Lead" to the fullest. They will be working hard during their term to provide the best resources possible for all DECA members, including those provided in the "Leadership Toolkit."

This is YOUR team. Don't hesitate to contact them at the email address below.

Ryan Dyck, National President


decaryan@gmail.com

Your National DECA President, Ryan Dyck, is from Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton, Colorado. Although the majority of his DECA experience was in Colorado, he was first introduced to DECA at Clinton Technical School in Clinton, Missouri. Through serving two different state associations of DECA, Ryan has been able to develop a sense of unity for all state/provincial associations of DECA. It has reassured him that he can proudly represent not only the great states of Missouri and Colorado, but every other state and province of DECA as well by serving as your National President.

During Ryan's sophomore year, he moved from Missouri to Colorado where he joined his new, much smaller chapter at Dakota Ridge. He was then elected as the Chapter President, where he assisted in doubling membership. The following year, he ran a successful State Officer campaign, earning himself a position on the 2008–2009 Colorado DECA State Officer Team. Throughout Ryan's term as Colorado DECA’s State Secretary, he has also balanced two part time jobs and earned a spot on the varsity track team.

To make sure he can devote this coming year entirely to DECA, Ryan will defer a year of admission from Johnson & Wales University at Denver where he will pursue degrees in International Business and Marketing.

After serving as an officer to the local chapter and state level of DECA, Ryan is excited and eager to have the opportunity to serve and devote his leadership to the national level of DECA.

Read Ryan's Journal

Tori DeLeonardo, Southern Region Vice President


decatori@gmail.com

Tori DeLeonardo, 2009–2010 Southern Region Vice President, is from Jupiter, Florida. Serving as a two–year state officer for Florida DECA, Tori has worked hard to maintain close contact with her fellow members. She has travelled to the ICDC all four years of high school, earning second place and top ten in two different events. Although a new life begins at the University of Florida, Tori is excited to remain part of DECA and serve as your SRVP. Her double major in marketing and statistics will go hand in hand with DECA and all of the exciting opportunities to come. Tori has the drive and enthusiasm to make this year amazing and support the Southern Region.

Even though DECA has been her main passion, Tori worked hard to remain well rounded with other extracurricular activities. Debate, dance, archery, drama, flag football, and the class of 2009 have kept her very busy, but she has taken lessons from all of the programs. DECA has given her the most in terms of leadership traits, responsibility, time management, and academic achievement. Tori works everyday to give back to the organization that has provided her with so much.

With fourteen years of DECA experience travelling with her mother (also her DECA chapter advisor) to conferences coming to a close, Tori will be putting all of her effort into making this year amazing. She has met so many incredible people and is excited to serve the Southern Region. Tori wants DECA members to follow the 2009–2010 DECA theme, and Live, Learn, Lead!

Read Tori's Journal

Nick Gerken, Central Region Vice President


decanick@gmail.com

As the end of a third year in DECA comes to an end, a fourth year of DECA awaits your new Central Region Vice President as he prepares for a year that will provide students with opportunities to "Live, Learn, Lead" that will last a lifetime. Nick Gerken is honored to serve as CRVP and to be representing members who continue to develop as leaders of our future. While serving as Central Region Vice President, Nick will be attending Johnson & Wales University in Denver, preparing for a career in International Business.

Throughout his three years of DECA, Nick has held many leadership roles. Many of these roles were held as he was running varsity track, training to become a pilot, and maintaining a job at Best Buy. His junior year he was elected as a chapter officer for Lakeville South DECA; and as the year neared an end, he was elected to serve as Lakeville South’s Chapter President. His proudest accomplishment throughout his term was obtaining Diamond Level Certification as a chapter, along with recertifying his School Based Enterprise to be Gold Level Certified. As his involvement with the Lakeville South chapter reached it highest potential, his biggest mentor, Mr. Patrick Petersen, planted the seed of becoming a State Officer in Nick’s head. In the beginning of his senior year, he was elected to serve on Minnesota DECA’s Executive Council as State Vice President of Business & Industry.

As Central Region Vice President, Nick will continue to strengthen the relationships throughout the Central Region as this relates to his personal goals. These goals include increasing the attendance at the CRLC in Minneapolis, providing students with greater means of communication with the National Officer Team, and increasing the awareness of our National Advisory Board " giving members of the Central Region opportunities to "Live. Learn. and Lead."

Read Nick's Journal

Julie Laven, North Atlantic Region Vice President


decajulie@gmail.com

Julie Laven, from Shelton, Connecticut, is proud to serve as your 2009-2010 North Atlantic Region Vice-President. Julie has been involved in DECA since her freshman year of high school, and has loved every minute of it. Julie cannot wait to continue her involvement so that she can Live, Learn, and Lead this year. While serving the members of DECA, she will be attending Bryant University, majoring in marketing.

She is excited to lead every DECA member with passion and dedication. Julie hopes that her enthusiasm for the organization will inspire and motivate members of DECA to make the most of every opportunity. Julie has had so many wonderful opportunities because of DECA, and as a member of team 64, she hopes to show others that DECA can open the doors to many incredible opportunities.

Looking back on her DECA journey, Julie is so proud to have made it this far. When she entered Mr. Necio's marketing classroom as a freshman, her life changed forever. Besides being involved in various chapter activities, Julie has had the chance to attend four International Career Development Conferences, two regional conferences, and many state conferences. While serving as Chapter Vice–President and the 2008–2009 Connecticut DECA State President, Julie expanded her leadership skills and served others in ways she never thought possible. For example, the 2009–2010 CT DECA State Officer team created their own informational video about State Competition in order to prepare members to do their best on the big day.

Along the way, Julie has had the chance to make many new friends. One of her favorite aspects of DECA is meeting new people, and she knows that serving as NARVP will allow her to meet more DECA members than ever! Julie is excited to have the opportunity to serve as your North Atlantic Region Vice–President for 2009–2010, and cannot wait to Live, Learn and Lead so that this year can be the best one yet!

Read Julie's Journal

John Stiles, Western Region Vice President


decavpjohn@gmail.com

John Stiles, 2009–2010 Western Region Vice President, is from Bozeman, Montana. He has showed his dedication and enthusiasm for DECA throughout his participation in the organization. He has increased financial support, membership, and community service projects for his local chapter.

His DECA journey began two years ago as a junior at Bozeman Senior High School. Not knowing what DECA was or what it had to offer, he was unsure of what skills and knowledge it could provide to him. He has since better developed as a leader, student, and community member. John held a statewide office, which pushed him into the national circuit. Running for national office taught him a lot about communication, public speaking, and membership interaction. He is blessed and honored to represent such a great group of young adults as dedicated to their own lives and future, as he is.

John has accepted admission to Montana State University, where he will pursue a degree in Business and Marketing. Voted "Most Likely to become President of the United States," John shows the integrity and leadership tools needed to make the dreams of DECA become a reality.

As the year is quickly getting under way, the national theme has been set as "Live, Learn, Lead!" John is excited to communicate and network with the Western Region, to lead DECA to its best year yet. John believes in the opportunities that lie ahead. He has confidence and excitement for the program of work that team 64 will be producing soon. John hopes to make all DECA members proud and enthusiastic for the coming year!

Read John's Journal