
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.
SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. We improve 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 372,000 student- & teacher-members participated in SkillsUSA in 2019-20.
2023-2024 State Officer Team

Cameron Vaughan
Lee County High School
Nathan Darnell
Starmount High School
Kayla Ingham
Pine Forest High School
Ruth Hall
West Carteret High School
Reece-Anna Cribb
South Columbus High School
Wesley Conner
South Columbus High School
Jacob Blackman
Midway High School
SkillsUSA North Carolina Staff
Paul Heidepriem
Executive Director
Rod Lykins
Director of Membership & Curriculum
Wil van der Meulen
Postsecondary Support Director
Brandon Ramirez
State Leadership Coordinator
Glenn Barefoot
Assistant Director
SkillsUSA North Carolina
Board of Directors
Daryle Nobles, Chairman, Retired Educator
Tony Reggi, NC Community College System
Dr. Nolan Fahrer, NC Department of Public Instruction
Bill Burgess, Carolina Training Associates
Michael Williams, Daimler
Kris Dell, Applied Software
Carl Coffey, Lowe's Home Improvement
Ryan Shaver, NC Masonry Contractors Association
Tim Eldridge, Educational Services Unlimited
Judy Dinelle, 84 Lumber
Barrett Crane, Snap-on Tools
Liz Myhre, Learning Labs
Wayne Lee, Retired Educator
Hardin Kennedy, Wilkes Community College
Jeff Faircloth, Guilford Technical Community College
Dr. David Barbour (ex-officio), NC Dept of Public Instruction
Jim Pressly (ex-officio), NC Dept of Public Instruction