Statewide Leadership and Partnership
SkillsUSA TN C/PS Advisory Board
The SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary Advisory Board brings together business and industry, education, student leadership, alumni, and community voices to strengthen the association and support career-ready students across Tennessee.
Purpose
Advising the Association and Strengthening Student Opportunity
The State Advisory Board provides counsel, perspective, and support to SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary. Members help ensure that statewide priorities remain connected to employer expectations, postsecondary education, student leadership, and the needs of communities across Tennessee.
The board serves as a strategic resource to the State Director and the association. It helps identify opportunities, strengthen partnerships, improve programs, and expand the value of SkillsUSA participation for students, advisors, colleges, and industry partners.
Shared Commitment
Education, Industry, and Students at One Table
The strongest career and technical student organization is built through collaboration among those who educate students, employ graduates, lead institutions, and experience SkillsUSA firsthand.
Board Representation
A Cross-Sector Leadership Structure
The board is intentionally composed of members who bring different perspectives to statewide planning and decision-making.
Business and Industry
Employers provide current workforce insight, industry expectations, partnership opportunities, and guidance on career-ready preparation.
State Education Agency
State-level education leadership helps align association priorities with postsecondary policy, strategy, and statewide student-success efforts.
Postsecondary Education
College representatives bring direct experience with students, advisors, technical programs, campus operations, and chapter needs.
Student Leadership
The State President brings the voice and lived experience of the students the association exists to serve.
Business and Industry
Business and industry leaders, including entrepreneurs, provide workforce insight, innovation, partnership opportunities, and employer perspectives.
State Director
The State Director provides organizational leadership, context, implementation support, and continuity between board guidance and association operations.
2025–2026 Membership
SkillsUSA TN C/PS Advisory Board
These leaders represent business and industry, education, student leadership, alumni, community, and statewide association administration.
Jake Self
Hiller
Business and Industry RepresentativeJosh Kirkman
Nissan
Business and Industry RepresentativeNathan Stanley
Nissan
Business and Industry RepresentativePhilip Schnepp
Magna
Business and Industry RepresentativeAlex Shelton
Ford
Business and Industry RepresentativeSam Soto
Entrepreneur and Podcaster
Dandridge, Tennessee
Michael Tinsley
Tennessee Board of Regents
State Education Agency RepresentativeErnestine Peete
TCAT Memphis
Postsecondary Education RepresentativeDr. Sharon Couch
Pellissippi State Community College
Postsecondary Education RepresentativeShelia Anderson
TCAT Hartsville
Postsecondary Education RepresentativeLou Valenzuela
SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary State President
Student Leadership RepresentativeLance Meyers
SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary
Alumni RepresentativeDaphne Brown
Tennessee Board of Regents
SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary
Board Responsibilities
Guidance, Advocacy, Partnership, and Accountability
Advisory Board members use their expertise and networks to help SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary remain responsive, credible, and connected to the students, institutions, and industries it serves.
How Members Contribute
Different Perspectives, Shared Outcomes
Industry Insight
Business representatives help the association understand changing workforce expectations, technical trends, hiring needs, and partnership opportunities.
Education Perspective
Postsecondary and agency representatives connect board guidance to campus realities, technical instruction, student services, and statewide education priorities.
Student Voice
The State President ensures that planning remains grounded in the experience, needs, and aspirations of current student members.
Alumni and Community Connection
Alumni and community representatives broaden the association's reach and help connect SkillsUSA participation to life beyond college.
Advocacy
Members help communicate the value of career and technical education, student leadership, and skilled workforce development.
Strategic Support
The board helps identify practical solutions, new relationships, and resources that support statewide growth and impact.
Partnership in Practice
Connecting Statewide Vision to Local Impact
Board guidance supports programs, conferences, leadership development, competition, workforce engagement, and student success across Tennessee's community colleges and Colleges of Applied Technology.
Members may contribute through strategic discussion, employer connections, advocacy, technical expertise, sponsorship development, student engagement, and participation in statewide events.
Ex Officio Leadership
The Role of the State Director
The State Director serves ex officio and connects board guidance to the daily work of the association. This includes providing background, preparing information, coordinating meetings, supporting implementation, and communicating progress.
The State Director does not replace the independent perspectives of board members. The role is to help the board understand the association's work and turn strategic guidance into organized action.
Governance and Meeting Records
Board Documents and Resources
These documents support transparent governance, board preparation, financial accountability, continuity, and documentation of official board actions.
Board of Directors Term Limit Policy
Reviews staggered terms, reappointment limits, vacancies, annual board review, balanced representation, continuity, and strategic alignment.
View Term Limit PolicyGovernance and Financial Accountability Training Materials
Covers board responsibilities, fiduciary oversight, internal controls, strategic planning, ethics, workforce alignment, and Tennessee Board of Regents procedures.
View Training MaterialsGovernance and Financial Accountability Training Agenda
Outlines annual training objectives, governance topics, financial accountability expectations, materials reviewed, and board participation.
View Training AgendaNovember Board Meeting Minutes
Documents governance restructuring, Advisory Board integration, officer title changes, board membership action, bylaws review, CliftonStrengths approval, and regional liaison development.
View November MinutesJanuary Board Meeting Minutes
Reviews SLSC planning, Cluster Chair integration, accountability deadlines, Airtable tracking, scoring, safety, facilities, TECHSPO, and employer engagement.
View January MinutesAnnual SLSC Board Meeting Minutes
Documents bylaws implementation, Advisory Board integration, governance alignment, regional advisor responsibilities, conference operations, and future planning.
View Annual Meeting MinutesShared Leadership
Building a Stronger Future for Tennessee Students
Through cross-sector leadership, the Board of Directors and State Advisory Board helps SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary prepare students to lead, work, serve, and succeed in Tennessee's evolving workforce.