State Officer Team
Lead Tennessee. Serve Others. Leave a Legacy.
The SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary State Officer Team represents the highest level of student leadership within our state association.
Statewide Student Leadership
Representing Members Across Tennessee
State officers lead conferences, advocate for Career and Technical Education, represent the association at state and national events, support local chapters, and inspire students throughout the year.
Officers receive extensive leadership training while developing communication, professionalism, teamwork, strategic planning, public speaking, advocacy, and servant leadership skills.
2026 State Officer Team
Meet Tennessee's Student Leaders
These officers represent SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary members across the state while developing the leadership, technical, workplace, and professional skills needed for future success.
Louis Rey “Lou” Valenzuela II
Pellissippi State Community College
Electrical Engineering Technology
Lou plans to build a career in electrical engineering that allows him to travel the world with his family while making a meaningful impact in the industry.
Fun fact: He has visited Disneyland 72 times and Walt Disney World five times and is always ready to discuss his favorite rides and food spots.
Alexis Dubé
Cosmetology Student
Local SkillsUSA Chapter President
Alexis plans to become a salon owner and create a space that empowers others to feel confident and capable.
Fun fact: Becoming a mother changed the way she understands leadership.
Mason Adcock
TCAT Hartsville
Computer Information Technology
Mason's goal is to become a system administrator who bridges complex infrastructure with user-centered innovation. He has represented Tennessee at the Washington Leadership Training Institute and advocates for technical mentorship.
Fun fact: He is a two-time SkillsUSA Tennessee T-shirt Design Champion and enjoys working on his golf game.
Elizabeth “Liz” Ilko
TCAT Henry/Carroll
HVAC/R
Liz plans to become a successful commercial technician and eventually own her own business.
Fun fact: She enjoys playing airsoft in her free time.
Gaby Dávila
TCAT Memphis
Computer-Aided Design
Gaby plans to use her technical skills in a career in mechanical drafting while serving as a supportive leader in manufacturing. The mentors who shaped her life inspire her to encourage younger generations.
Fun fact: She enjoys paddleboarding and observing Tennessee wildlife at her county's largest urban park.
Casey Smith
TCAT Chattanooga State
Collision Repair
Casey's goal is to become a custom motorcycle mechanic and painter while developing a broad range of technical skills.
Fun fact: Casey enjoys riding a Harley and playing pool on weekends.
Hayden Sherwood
TCAT Knoxville
Auto Collision
Hayden enjoys working on cars, repairing and improving them, and continuing to build the hands-on skills needed for a career in the automotive field.
Fun fact: He enjoys fishing, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
Shaya Smith
TCAT Oneida/Huntsville
Cosmetology
Shaya serves as president of her local chapter and plans to become a cosmetology instructor and salon owner.
Fun fact: She has many creative hobbies, including making clay jewelry, painting, and drawing.
Jacob Potter
TCAT Knoxville
Automotive Service Technology
Jacob's long-term goal is to become a Porsche Certified Automotive Service Technician.
Fun fact: He has been nationally ranked and ranked first statewide as a competitive steel shooter in high school and college leagues.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 Team
New Officer Titles and Leadership Portfolios
Beginning with the 2026-2027 State Officer Team, several traditional officer titles will transition into broader leadership portfolios. Students are elected to the State Officer Team first. Individual positions are then assigned during the State Officer Leadership Retreat based on each officer's strengths, leadership style, interests, experience, and the needs of the organization.
Each portfolio identifies a primary area of leadership, but every officer is expected to lead, support teammates, complete assignments, represent the association professionally, and serve members across Tennessee.
PresidentChief Student Representative
The President provides overall student leadership for the State Officer Team and serves as the chief student representative of SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary.
- Leads the State Officer Team and helps maintain a unified direction.
- Facilitates officer meetings and team discussions.
- Represents the association at state and national events.
- Works closely with the State Director, advisors, and coaches.
- Supports all portfolios and helps ensure the team fulfills its responsibilities.
Vice President, East RegionEast Tennessee Student Voice
Represents members and chapters throughout East Tennessee.
- Attends regional meetings and activities when available.
- Builds relationships with local chapter officers and advisors.
- Promotes statewide conferences, training, and leadership opportunities.
- Brings regional student concerns, ideas, and successes to the State Officer Team.
- Encourages participation and engagement across East Tennessee.
Vice President, Middle RegionMiddle Tennessee Student Voice
Represents members and chapters throughout Middle Tennessee.
- Attends regional meetings and activities when available.
- Builds relationships with local chapter officers and advisors.
- Promotes statewide conferences, training, and leadership opportunities.
- Brings regional student concerns, ideas, and successes to the State Officer Team.
- Encourages participation and engagement across Middle Tennessee.
Vice President, West RegionWest Tennessee Student Voice
Represents members and chapters throughout West Tennessee.
- Attends regional meetings and activities when available.
- Builds relationships with local chapter officers and advisors.
- Promotes statewide conferences, training, and leadership opportunities.
- Brings regional student concerns, ideas, and successes to the State Officer Team.
- Encourages participation and engagement across West Tennessee.
Vice President of AdministrationSecretary Functions, Planning, and Team Organization
The Vice President of Administration carries forward the work traditionally completed by the Secretary while expanding responsibility for the internal organization and effectiveness of the State Officer Team.
- Records and maintains meeting minutes.
- Supports agendas, planning documents, and officer records.
- Tracks assignments, deadlines, and follow-up responsibilities.
- Helps coordinate meetings, schedules, and team communication.
- Supports the administrative organization of statewide initiatives.
Vice President of FinanceSkillsUSA Store, Fundraising, and Scholarship Support
The Vice President of Finance expands the traditional Treasurer role by leading student-facing fundraising and financial stewardship initiatives.
- Helps coordinate the SkillsUSA Tennessee Store.
- Supports fundraising initiatives for the SkillsUSA Tennessee Scholarship Fund.
- Promotes responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
- Assists with fundraising campaigns, promotions, and student awareness.
- Helps communicate the purpose and impact of the scholarship fund.
Vice President of CommunicationsSocial Media, Podcasts, and Storytelling
The Vice President of Communications expands the traditional Reporter role into a statewide communications and digital engagement portfolio.
- Supports official social media content and campaigns.
- Assists with podcasts and digital storytelling projects.
- Highlights student, advisor, chapter, alumni, and industry stories.
- Promotes statewide events, programs, and leadership opportunities.
- Supports website, publication, and Champions Magazine content when assigned.
Vice President of GovernanceParliamentarian Functions, Ethics, and Accountability
The Vice President of Governance carries forward the traditional Parliamentarian role while expanding leadership in ethical governance and organizational accountability.
- Advises the team on parliamentary procedure.
- Supports the Constitution, Bylaws, and governance processes.
- Promotes ethical leadership, accountability, and professional conduct.
- Assists with officer elections, meetings, and formal procedures.
- Helps the team understand how responsible governance supports the association.
Vice President of History and RecordsHistorian Functions, Archives, and Legacy
The Vice President of History and Records preserves the work traditionally completed by the Historian while expanding responsibility for organizational memory and documentation.
- Documents officer activities, events, and major accomplishments.
- Maintains historical records, photographs, and milestone information.
- Captures the story and impact of the team's year of service.
- Supports annual reports, archives, and recognition projects.
- Preserves materials for future officers, members, and organizational leaders.
Specialized Leadership Appointments
Student Chairs
Student Chairs are appointed by the State Officer Election Committee to provide additional leadership capacity for statewide initiatives, special projects, and strategic priorities. Their assignments may vary from year to year based on organizational needs and the strengths of the students selected.
SLSC Opening Ceremony
Supports planning, scripts, rehearsals, staging, student participation, and production coordination for the State Leadership and Skills Conference Opening Ceremony.
Awards and Recognition Banquet
Supports banquet planning, recognition activities, student participation, presentations, rehearsals, and event execution.
Grand Awards
Supports the Grand Awards Ceremony through stage management, scripts, rehearsals, award presentation, student roles, and production coordination.
Industry Partners
Supports relationships with business and industry partners through outreach, partner appreciation, workforce initiatives, TECHSPO engagement, sponsorship support, and networking opportunities.
Student Engagement Initiatives
Develops initiatives that increase student participation, chapter engagement, statewide communication, and meaningful involvement in SkillsUSA programs and events.
Special Projects
Leads other projects assigned by the State Director or State Officer Election Committee, including pilot programs, strategic initiatives, leadership projects, or emerging organizational priorities.
Why Become a State Officer?
The Ultimate Student Leadership Experience
Lead
Represent SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary at conferences, ceremonies, and statewide programs.
Serve
Support students, advisors, chapters, and institutions through training, outreach, and conference leadership.
Grow
Develop leadership, communication, professionalism, teamwork, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.
Network
Build relationships with student leaders, advisors, industry partners, state leaders, and SkillsUSA National.
State Officers at a Glance
One Team Serving the Entire Association
State officers help plan and deliver conferences, SkillsUSA Week, College Signing Day, chapter engagement, advocacy, and statewide recognition.

What State Officers Do
Leadership Through Service
Leadership Development Continuum
State Office Builds on Earlier Leadership Experiences
Students may begin through chapter involvement, jumpSTART, WLTI, TLTI, competition participation, or chapter leadership before advancing into statewide service.

State Officer Election Committee
Selecting Tennessee's Student Leaders
The State Officer Election Committee evaluates candidates and helps identify the students best prepared to represent SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary. The committee conducts structured interviews, scores candidate performance, reviews multiple measures of leadership readiness, and helps determine the officer assignments that best match each student's strengths and the needs of the team.
Candidate Interviews
Committee members conduct structured interviews and evaluate communication, professionalism, leadership potential, preparation, and readiness to serve.
Comprehensive Evaluation
The selection process considers the candidate interview, SkillsUSA knowledge, student delegate voting, professionalism, and overall leadership readiness. Specific weighting may be adjusted as the program evolves.
Team Selection
The committee looks beyond individual performance to identify students who can work together as a professional, balanced, and service-focused leadership team.
Portfolio Assignment
Following the election, the committee helps determine officer titles and Student Chair appointments based on strengths, interests, experience, leadership style, and organizational needs.
Held Each November
State Officer Leadership Retreat
SOLR marks the official beginning of the newly selected team's year of service. It is separate from the election process and gives officers time to move from individual candidates into a unified leadership team prepared to serve Tennessee.
Team Development
Officers build trust, establish shared expectations, create team values, strengthen communication, and begin forming a unified team identity.
Leadership Development
Officers explore servant leadership, the SkillsUSA Framework, professional standards, the State Officer Guide, and the responsibilities of statewide service.
Strategic Planning
The team develops SMART goals, discusses annual priorities, establishes its vision, and begins planning major conferences and statewide initiatives.
Communication and Collaboration
True Colors, guided reflection, scenario work, and team discussions help officers understand how to communicate, solve problems, and support one another.
Leadership Traditions
The pinning ceremony, leadership commitment, team photographs, campfire reflection, and team identity activities mark the transition into statewide leadership.
Camp LEAD Experience
Outdoor challenges, teamwork activities, problem-solving experiences, and structured debriefs help officers build confidence and learn through experience.
By the End of SOLR, Officers Have:
State Officer Training
A Full Year of Leadership Development
State Officer Leadership Retreat
Build trust, strengthen communication, understand expectations, and prepare for the year ahead.
Winter Training
Prepare for ceremonies, presentations, advocacy, parliamentary procedure, and statewide service.
Spring Training
Prepare for SLSC, chapter engagement, public speaking, facilitation, and recognition events.
National Preparation
Prepare to represent Tennessee nationally and participate in advanced leadership development.
Become a State Officer
Selection Through Leadership, Knowledge, and Service
State officers are selected through a comprehensive process that includes an application, candidate orientation, written examination, interview, and election by the House of Delegates.
What We Look For
Character, Professionalism, and Readiness to Serve
Candidate Resources
Prepare Before You Apply
Candidates should review the application guide, bylaws, and program expectations before applying.
State Officer Training Resources
Agendas, Packing Lists, and Photo Galleries
SOLR
Photo Gallery Agenda Packing ListDecember Training
Agenda Packing ListJanuary Training
Agenda Packing ListFebruary Training
Agenda Packing ListMarch Training
Agenda Coming Soon Packing List Coming SoonApril Training
Agenda Packing ListMay Training
Agenda Packing ListJune Training
Agenda Packing List
Governance & Resources
Program Expectations and Association Governance
The State Officer Program operates under the association's Constitution, Bylaws, and State Officer Program Guide.
