Your 2009-2010 North Carolina DECA State Action Team
Blue Ridge Region Vice-President
Shelby Gilmore
Hello North Carolina DECA! I am Shelby Gilmore, your 2009-2010 Blue Ridge Region Vice President! I am a graduate of North Lincoln High School and I currently attend Gaston College. Next fall I will be transferring to NC State to major in Public Relations with a minor in Non-profit Marketing. Presently, I work at Woodmill Winery where I am a wine consultant. In my free time I enjoy retail therapy or shopping for those who don’t understand the lingo! I also love watching sports especially college basketball – go Tarheels! (I realize my allegiances may change next year!)
I am looking forward to serving the members of North Carolina DECA this year. I have been a lifetime member of DECA – I attended my first ICDC when I was a year old. Now nearly 17 years later I have the honor of serving the members of North Carolina DECA. I would like to challenge each of you to be active members of DECA. While at North Lincoln my major focus was community service. I created “Pink Knight – Tackling Breast Cancer,” where we raised money for Komen for the Cure. My mother had breast cancer so the charity is dear to my heart. Through our efforts we raised more than $10,000 over 2 years for them! And what made it even better, my partner and I, placed 4th place in the Community Service Project at last year’s ICDC! Every chapter should be involved in their community whether it is serving lunch at Christian Ministries, collecting food for the local food bank, or raising money for the American Cancer Society. Just get your chapter involved and you will be surprised what your group can do!
Now is the time to begin your run for the roses! Participate in local chapter activities, compete on the district level and I will see you at State Competition in March!
Cornucopia Region Vice-President
James Gentry
Hello! I am James Gentry your 2009-2010 Cornucopia Region Vice-President. I am currently a senior at D.H. Conley high school in Greenville, North Carolina. I plan to attend East Carolina University next fall and major in Business and Marketing Education. I am currently employed as the marketing manager for a real estate agent in Greenville. When I am not at work I spend most of time with my friends, my church, and my family.
DECA has been the most rewarding activity I have been involved with in high school. I became a member when my mother, a former state and national officer, encouraged me to join. I wish she had encouraged me sooner! This is my third year in DECA and it will not be my last! As a member of your 2009-2010 State Action Team, I have taken on the challenge of making sure all of North Carolina DECA’s horses succeed. I plan for this year to be a fun and exciting year for everyone. I have always had a blast as a state officer and hope to share my DECA experiences with everyone! North Carolina DECA, LET THE DERBY BEGIN!
Dixie Pines Region Vice-President
Ksenia Kulik
Hello North Carolina DECA, I am Ksenia Kulik and I am your Dixie Pines Region Vice-President. I was born and raised in Russia, in a military family. We moved often, and when I was in 7th grade we moved to United States, not knowing any English or anything about American culture.
This year, I am a junior at Terry Sanford High School and proud to be a bulldog! I enjoy going to school and consider myself a big geek. When I graduate from high school, I plan to major in International Business at New York University. This is the perfect major for me since I love traveling, meeting new people, and visiting different countries. I am a member of 12th Man Club, Spanish Club, Asia Club, and DECA. In my spare time, I enjoy attending sporting events at my school such as soccer, football, and swimming. For the past two years I’ve been involved in my local community’s Red Cross organization. During this time, I donated over 150 hours of my time to the local army medical hospital.
Last year, I was first introduced to DECA by my marketing teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Haynes. Since then I’ve competed in district and state competitions, completed in the International Business Plan written event, and ran for state office. I decided to run for Dixie Pines Region Vice-President because of my desire to challenge my leadership abilities and to become more involved with our great organization. My goal this year is to increase state membership and student involvement in competitive events. I honored and excited to serve on your 2009-2010 North Carolina DECA State Action Team, as your Dixie Pines Region Vice-President.
Metrolina Region Vice-President
Michele Salpietra
Hello North Carolina DECA! I am Michele Salpietra, your 2009-2010 Metrolina Region Vice-President. I am currently a junior at North Mecklenburg High School and proud to be a VIKING! I have not decided where I want to go to college yet, but I plan to major in veterinary medicine and become a veterinarian in the future. During the school year, I work at Chick-fil-A. During the summer, I work as a lifeguard through Charlotte Swim Club Management. In my free time I enjoy dancing, reading, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.
I’m very excited for what this year will offer! This is my third year as a DECA member. I love every experience I have had with DECA so far and I can’t wait to experience more through such a great organization. This year, I hope to increase involvement in DECA. DECA is my passion and I want to share it with every student I can. I want to get new horses involved in our DECA Derbies and get existing horses more involved in DECA on the chapter, state, and international level. DECA has many great experiences to offer and I want to make sure that everyone knows about each of them! North Carolina DECA…Let the Derby Begin!
Triad Region Vice-President
Will Thomas
North Carolina DECA, I am Will Thomas, your 2009-2010 Triad Region Vice-President. I am currently a freshman at East Carolina University, Go Pirates! I am majoring in applied economics. In the near future, I hope to transfer to another university which has a more concentrated focus of marketing. My true life ambition is to manage a non-profit organization. I am a recent graduate of Person High School, and still carry my rocket pride everywhere I go! During the summer, I work at Roxboro Country Club as a lifeguard and swim instructor. I also volunteer with the Person County Autism Society where I lifeguard and helping members learn to swim and be comfortable in the water. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, running trails, meeting new people, facebooking and hanging out with friends.
This year I am looking forward to all North Carolina DECA has to offer. It is a true honor to serve this fantastic organization that is made up of a dynamic group of individuals from all across North Carolina. This is my fifth year as a DECA member and will definitely not be my last. Throughout the year, I challenge you to let your own derby begin! Through competition, community service, and vocational understanding we can all make it to the Triple Crown in Louisville, Kentucky. I encourage your chapter to participate in our Red Rose Program and continue to spread the tradition of excellence by growing your chapter’s membership through your marketing classes, high schools, and your community. I look forward to working with all the members of North Carolina DECA, and making this year a true success for each and every one of our members. North Carolina DECA, Let the Derby Begin!
Cornucopia Region Vice-President
Metrolina Region Vice-President