Governance
The Ohio DECA Board of Directors is the primary governing body for the organization. The make-up of the board consists of a talented group of educators, organization and community leaders and professionals.
Meeting regularly throughout the year, the Board of Directors establishes policies relative to the interpretation and implementation of the constitution and bylaws. The Board of Directors includes voting members and two ex-officio (non-voting) members that include the Board’s President and the State Advisor. Directors are elected in May of each year and traditionally serve three-year terms.
Crystal Dortch
Interim State Advisor
Susan Everhart
Board District I | Wadsworth High School
Susan Everhart studied at Bowling Green State University as a major in Marketing Education and has been teaching in the career technical field for the past 19 years. She has been a student, a collegiate member, an advisor, an executive council member, and now a member of the Board of Directors. Her best career experiences have been seeing students succeed at all levels with DECA's comprehensive programming and competitive events. She is passionate about this organization and its mission and vision statements. As a board member, Susan looks forward to helping the organization grow and excel in the future for generations of DECA members to come.
Tom Griffin
Board District II | Maple Heights High School
Thomas Griffin has been a Marketing Instructor at Maple Heights High School for 25 years and also serves as an Adjunct Marketing Professor in the Lake Erie College Parker MBA Program. He earned his bachelors degree from Bowling Green State University, his MBA from Lake Erie College and his Ph.D. from Cleveland State University.
Chrissy Hood
Board District III | Lima Senior High School
Chrissy Hood has been a marketing instructor and DECA advisor for over 15 years, all of those years employed at Lima Senior High School. Additionally, she is a board member for the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She has coached volleyball and basketball for many years, and also served as an assistant athletic director. She is married to James Hood and have two daughters, KJ and Jada. Chrissy has a love and passion for DECA and all that this organization has to offer its members!
Ashley Severt
Board District IV | Otsego High School
Ashley Severt is the business instructor for Otsego High School, a satellite program of Penta Career Center. She is in her 9th year teaching business, marketing, management and entrepreneurship as well as being the DECA advisor at her school. Penta-Otsego DECA is fortunate enough to run a spirit store, a cafe and a credit union at the school. Being a member of the board is a great opportunity to connect with the staff and business professionals from around the state and bring that back to her district and region.
Mark Steedly
Board District V | Sycamore High School
Mark Steedly focuses on positive, personal relationships with each student in order to ensure their success beyond DECA competitions. He truly enjoys being part of their learning process and to see how far they can go in all areas of their lives; he loves having an impact.
Being an athletic coach (basketball, volleyball and tennis) for over 25 years has helped Mark guide the spirit of competitiveness within Ohio DECA for all students. It’s great to see DECA students succeeding and receiving recognition at State and International levels!