2007-2008 National DECA Officer Team
DECA National Officers
Team 62 brings a wealth of experience, energy and fresh ideas to the 2007 Ц 2008 DECA year. Always willing to visit your state conference to provide a greeting, keynote address or workshop, the members of this team look forward to meeting as many members as possible during their term of office.
Kelly VanWoerkom
President
decakellyv@gmail.com
Don't let her nickname Ц the DECA Diva Ц fool you. Your National President, Kelly VanWoerkom certainly has the talent, but good luck trying to find any divaЦlike behavior.
Humbled by not qualifying for state competition as a sophomore, Kelly did not let defeat weaken her enthusiasm for DECA. Just one year later, she placed at states and was elected to state office for Colorado DECA. Kelly measures her success not only through her own accomplishments, but through the impact she's been able to have on the members she's served.
Through helping to plan and execute service projects such as Colorado's DECA Dash 5K Run/Walk and a Holiday Benefit Concert both benefiting Project Mercy, an organization which provides emergency relief for famine victims in Ethiopia, Kelly has developed her taste for service and her compassion for the less fortunate. She wishes to continue to give aid to those in need and to assist other members in doing the same. Her chapter will tell you that she devotes most of her time and energy as an officer to the members she serves, reaching out and getting to know everyone on a personal level.
Although Kelly will be taking a year away from school to fulfill her DECA duties, she will later be attending college to pursue a degree in International Business and Marketing Management. For now, she's ready and eager for a year full of traveling, attending conferences, and meeting new people as your DECA National President.
What's just one of Kelly's goals for the year?
"I want to do my best to reach out and impact as many members as possible."
What don't most people know about Kelly?
"I am left handed."
Click here to read Kelly's Journal
Ashley Wade
Central Region Vice President
decaashley@gmail.com
Already a veteran on the stage, Ashley Wade is a sure bet to wow crowds as this year's Central Region Vice President. As a three year member of Carey DECA in Carey, Ohio, Ashley immersed herself in almost every opportunity offered through the DECA program while still maintaining the time and discipline to develop her artistic side. From Shakespeare to Joseph Heller, she has a passion for literature. From piano to percussion, she excels in music. From Wizard of Oz to Sleepy Hollow, she has a list of theatre credits to her name.
Still, there's DECA. Ashley first joined the program after being inspired by her older sister Stephanie's success. Ever since, she has served in offices for her chapter and state, competed three times at ICDC, and volunteered on numerous community service projects.
How does she find the time to do all of this? With a large family of two sisters and six stepЦsisters, she relies on their love and support amidst what her father and stepfather refer to as the "estrogen ocean." Her inspiration to stay positive comes from her stepsister Mattie, who has Downs Syndrome. Her childlike mindset and trusting heart have been an inspiration for many years in times of stress and despair.
Always smiling and hopeful, she credits the people she meets and her family and friends around her for her amazing outlook on life. Whether it is her mother's independence, her father's understanding, her sister's optimism, or her best friend Dougle's hugs, she is motivated to be the best she can possibly be.
What is one of Ashley's goals?
"Increase participation in non-competitive DECA conferences, such as regional conferences, leadership development activities, and fundЦraising.
What don't most people know about her?
"I still love to watch cartoons."
Click here to read Ashley's journal.
Jordan Villeneuve
Western Region Vice President
dmail.com
Now entering his fourth year of service to DECA, Jordan Villeneuve lives by the philosophy that drive and determination are the cornerstones of success in an organization like DECA. Jordan is proud to say that he has taken full advantage of what DECA offers, and he has enjoyed each subsequent year more and more.
After starting a chapter in his hometown of Sammamish, Washington, Jordan served as a chapter officer for three years. While working with charity organizations, his fellow students, and the surrounding DECA community, Jordan learned the value of dedication. His experience changed completely when he was elected to lead Washington as the Vice President of Business Partnerships. This position allowed him to work with a strong community of businesses in the state of Washington and acquire the business savvy and professional manner that suits him so well.
Jordan has competed in as many competitive events as he could enter during his time in DECA. He attended the ICDC both in Anaheim and Dallas, and it was at these conferences where he was inspired to run for national office.
As well as serving the Western Region this year, Jordan is also a freshman at the University of Washington studying business, communications, and leadership. Between DECA, school, sports, and business, Jordan strives to continually meet new people and is already awaiting conferences to build new partnerships with members.
What is one of Jordan's goals this year?
"To walk away from Atlanta next year feeling like I've contributed something to each state in the Western Region."
What don't people know about Jordan?
"I enjoy work, I love history, I absolutely love driving, and I started a chapter."
Click here to read Jordan's journal.
Megan Montgomery
Southern Region Vice President
decameg@gmail.com
From Cedartown, Georgia, Megan Montgomery is a southern belle through and through. Befitting her role as DECA's Southern Region Vice President, it is hard not to be affected by her warm, southern hospitality.
A graduate of Rockmart High School, Megan held the offices of Georgia DECA State Historian and State VP of Corporate Relations during her three years in the program. She has been a winning competitor in the DECA competitive events categories of Entrepreneurship Promotion and Marketing Decision Making.
Community Service is one of the highlights of Megan's DECA experience: "Through DECA I have had the opportunity to participate in many projects such as Georgia DECA's Katrina Hurricane Effort, various endeavors to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and sponsoring a family for Christmas." Her involvement in communities spreads even farther and into the business sector. Megan has assisted in several grand openings for BestBank and has worked closely on several endeavors of her local county's Chamber of Commerce.
Because she believes that DECA has provided so many opportunities for her, Megan is thrilled at having the opportunity to serve as Southern Region Vice President and help others open those same doors. Meg is enrolled at Mercer University where she will be double majoring in Marketing and PreЦMed.
What is one of Megan's goals this year?
"To make a difference in at least one DECA member's life."
What don't most people know about her?
"I have an obsession with penguins!"
Click here to read Meg's journal.
Davide Montoni
North Atlantic Region Vice President
decadave@gmail.com
Confidence. Desire. Passion. Determination. These are the qualities that fuel Dave Montoni's drive as a DECA National Officer. His experiences in DECA have turned Dave into the leader he is today, and now as the North Atlantic Region Vice President, he cannot wait to serve his fellow DECA members.
When his marketing teacher first pulled him aside and told him about the potential he saw, Dave was filled with the encouragement to get involved and make a difference. Soon after, he was elected to state office and has excelled ever since.
Dave is a resident of Shelton, Connecticut and a graduate of Shelton High School. This year, he will be attending the University of Connecticut. He is thrilled to have the opportunity of serving as a DECA National Officer. "This is my chance to branch into our DECA community and truly make a difference in someone's life."
With both of his parents being immigrants from Italy, Dave was exposed to the idea of the American Dream at an early age. He was shown that hard work and perseverance are catalysts for achieving success. "My parents came to this country with no money in their pockets and no education behind them, but what they did possess was an aspiration of a better life." Dave also has aspirations of his own. He lives every day of his life with one strong principle in mind: Never give up until you reach your dreams.
What's one of Dave's goals this year?
"Reach out to as many members as possible and motivate them like I was motivated."
What don't most people know about him?
"I love telling stories and laughing at jokes rather than being serious 100% of the time."
