About Us
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure that America has a skilled work force. We help every student excel. SkillsUSA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that is recognized as an integral part of the classroom by the OVAE.
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SkillsUSA North Carolina’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of SkillsUSA Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Our vision is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing every member the opportunity for career success.
A nonprofit national education association (501c3), SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service (including health) occupations.
SkillsUSA is committed to using its resources to provide its members with the greatest opportunities to succeed. From industry-designed competitions to professional and leadership development workshops, SkillsUSA gives students an opportunity to enhance both their technical and employability skills.
Started in 1965 as V.I.C.A. (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), SkillsUSA has served 13.6 million members since 1965. Over 380,000 student & teacher members participated in SkillsUSA in 2022-23.
2024-2025 State Officer Team
Isabella Donahue - Historian
South Iredell High School
Isabelle Hall - Treasurer
West Carteret High School
Christian Spell - Vice President
Midway High School
Isabella Siler - President
East Davidson High School
Connor Jackson - Reporter
Midway High School
Clairesse Sherrill - Secretary
West Stanly High School
Juan-Daniel Vazquez - Parliamentarian
West Carteret High School
(np) Gage Boggs - President CPS
Carteret Community College
SkillsUSA North Carolina Staff
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Paul Heidepriem
Executive Director
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Rod Lykins
Director of Membership, Curriculum &
Professional Development
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Wil van der Meulen
Postsecondary Support Director
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Lauren & Kyle Martin
State Officer Coordinators
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SkillsUSA North Carolina
Board of Directors
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Daryle Nobles, Chairman, Retired Educator
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Tony Reggi, NC Community College System
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Kris Dell, Applied Software
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Dr. David Barbour, NC Department of Public Instruction
Bill Burgess, Carolina Training Associates
Carl Coffey, Lowe's Home Improvement
Ryan Shaver, NC Masonry Contractors Association
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Judy Dinelle, 84 Lumber
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Tim Eldridge, Educational Services Unlimited
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Liz Myhre, Learning Labs
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Barrett Crane, Snap-on Tools
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Ron Morris, Guilford Technical Community College
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Wayne Lee, Retired Educator
Hardin Kennedy, Retired Educator
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Jim Pressly, NC Dept of Public Instruction
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Dr. Nolan Fahrer, NC Dept of Public Instruction
Nick Daniels, 2024 Secondary Advisor of the Year
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Wanda Tyson, 2024 Postsecondary Advisor of the Year
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