
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 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 440,000 student & teacher members actively participated in SkillsUSA in 2024-25.
2026-2027 State Officer Team

Chiamaka Ogbuoji
Jack Britt High School
Parker Strickland
Watauga High School
Nathan Bridgers
Nash Central High School
Olivia Chauncey
South Central High School
Dakota Treadway
East Davidson High School
Madison Peeples
West Carteret High School
Zuany Lopez Romero
Northern Nash High School
Wyatt Gearey, Middle School Amb.
Pamlico County Middle School
SkillsUSA North Carolina Staff
Paul Heidepriem - Executive Director
Rod Lykins - Director of Membership, Curriculum &
Professional Development
Wil van der Meulen - Postsecondary Support Director
Lauren & Kyle Martin - State Officer Coordinators
Brandi Bragg - Conference Manager
SkillsUSA North Carolina
Board of Directors
Daryle Nobles, Chairman, Retired Educator
Tony Reggi, NC Community College System
Kris Dell, Applied Software
Dr. Nolan Fahrer, NC Department of Public Instruction
Bill Burgess, Carolina Training Associates
Carl Coffey, Construction Consulting
Ryan Shaver, NC Masonry Contractors Association
Judy Dinelle, 84 Lumber
Tim Eldridge, Educational Services Unlimited
Liz Myhre, Learning Labs
Barrett Crane, Snap-on Tools
Ron Morris, Guilford Technical Community College
Wayne Lee, Retired Educator
Hardin Kennedy, Retired Educator
Michael Williams, TAG Truck Center
Jim Pressly, NC Dept of Public Instruction (ex0
Dr. David Barbour, Retired Educator
Henrietta Jutson, 2025 Secondary Advisor of the Year
Scott Butcher, 2025 Postsecondary Advisor of the Year
