
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’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

Jacob Blackman - President
Midway High School
Kayla Ingham - Vice President
Pine Forest High School
Reece-Anna Cribb - Secretary
South Columbus High School
Cameron Vaughan - Treasurer
Lee County High School
Wesley Conner - Reporter
South Columbus High School
Nathan Darnell - Historian
Starmount High School
Ruth Hall - Parliamentarian
West Carteret High School
Lexi Norwood - President CPS
Central Carolina Community College
SkillsUSA North Carolina Staff
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Paul Heidepriem
Executive Director
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Rod Lykins
Director of Membership & Curriculum
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Wil van der Meulen
Postsecondary Support Director
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Brandon Ramirez
State Leadership Coordinator
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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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Jim Pressly, 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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Jeff Faircloth, Guilford Technical Community College
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Wayne Lee, Retired Educator
Hardin Kennedy, Retired Educator
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Dr. David Barbour, NC Dept of Public Instruction
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Dr. Nolan Fahrer, NC Dept of Public Instruction
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