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.

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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!

Eric Wagner

Board District VI | Northmont High School

Eric Wagner is in his 14th year of teaching as the Marketing Teacher and DECA Advisor at Northmont High School. Mr. Wagner has been around DECA since his junior year of high school as a student of Carey high school. He has used this passion and drive into his career. He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. Along with being active in DECA he is also very involved in many different aspects of Northmont High School. 

Brandon Ogden

SBCO

Brandon Ogden was first introduced to Ohio DECA about two years ago when he was asked to be a competition judge. Unfortunately, in in high school he was not able to participate in DECA. Brandon feels that having that experience would have greatly enhanced his ability to have a successful college career and ultimately operate a business. As a small business owner and entrepreneur, he hopes to continue to bring value to Ohio’s DECA students and contribute to taking the organization well into the future

Nate Marshall

Cortland Bank

Melinda Huntley

Ohio Travel Association

As director of the Ohio Travel Association, Melinda is passionate about preparing students for lucrative careers in the hospitality and travel economy.  Her support of Ohio DECA stems from the program’s commitment to build strong future industry leaders through not only introducing them to career opportunities, but to sharpen their skills in critical and strategic thinking.   

Ben Bruegler

Akhia Communications

Jeremy Nadler

Bowling Green State University

With 22-years experience as a marketing teacher and DECA advisor, and now a teacher educator at BGSU in Career Tech Workforce Education, Jeremy Nadler is excited to be a member of the Ohio DECA Board, continuing his passion and service for and in an organization that has provided so much to him the past 25+ years.

Brenna Bartlett

Board President and Chair