Chapter
University of Missouri–Columbia 2003– Present

Location
Missouri

Company
Genius Apparel Products

Tyler Altrup and Daniel Vo, two members of Delta Epsilon Chi at the University of Missouri–Columbia, own and operate Genius Apparel Products. This venture, also found online at www.geniusapparel.com, has grossed more than $100,000 in less than one full year of operation. This young business produces custom screen–printed and embroidered apparel for campus organizations, small businesses, high schools, and other groups.

Tyler and Dan have applied lessons learned from DECA/Delta Epsilon Chi involvement to maximize the potential of their entrepreneurial upstart. As they prepare for graduation, the two young partners are looking forward to future opportunities for their business. Soon they will open their first franchise at another campus and envision this program as a huge leap for their sales and success. Both partners have enjoyed their time in DECA/Delta Epsilon Chi and look forward to giving back this year by offering a scholarship to Missouri DECA high school students for the first time.

Chapter
Mt. Carmel High School 1993–1995

Location
San Diego, CA

Company
Inkorporated, Inc.

Website
http://www.inkorporated.com
http://www.NationalGreetings.com

Since 1997, Randy founded a design and marketing company "Inkorporated, Inc." that has 3 divisions: Inkorporated Design Associates for Real Estate Marketing, Design and Print, Red Zebra Marketing for Corporate and Small Business Marketing, Branding and Interior Design, and www.NationalGreetings.com is an online company that can create real greeting cards on the internet that are sent like traditional greeting cards to US post mail box recipients, not e–cards. In 2007 their newest venture, BudgetColor.com, an online printing company will launch.

Chapter
Monmouth Regional High School 1996–1997/Johnson & Wales University 1998–1999

Location
Tinton Falls, NJ

Company
Chakery Design LLC

Founder and President of Chakery Design, Malcom Chakery has extensive knowledge and experience in the workings of a web based business operation. Possessing great amounts of expertise in regard to marketing, web design and development, Malcom is extremely comfortable handling all details regarding the day-to-day operations as well as the sales and support of his many high profile clients. With a clear plan in place regarding operational procedures, all aspects of web design, marketing and promotional activities are managed and overseen by Malcom before they are completed. As a stickler for detail, Malcom believes in providing greater than expected support, superior customer service, and innovative programs, making sure to go above and beyond customer expectations.

Previous to his experience as President of Chakery Design, Malcom was employed as an Account Executive for several Fortune 500 companies including Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI, Nordstrom Department Store, Sprint PCS Business/Government and IKON Office Solutions Business and Government. With an eye on the future, it was clear to Malcom that his expertise could be more fully utilized by developing his own web-based company, which he has successfully achieved. Initially, Malcom started out almost exclusively as a print-media and website development agency. Today, his thriving company has grown to include everything from database development, e-commerce, web marketing, sales promotion, market research, public relations, new media and corporate identity. As the Internet continues to grow, Malcom’s role as a web related consultant continues to grow and expand as well.

Malcom attended Johnson & Wales University where he served as Freshman Class Senator. Malcom operates his business with his wife Lisa. They reside in the State of Texas

Chapter
Jefferson High School / University of Northern Colorado

Location
Edgewater, CO

Company
Generation Why, Inc.

At the University of Northern Colorado, Eric majored and was certified in Marketing Education. For five years, he was a Marketing Education teacher/coordinator in Arizona and Colorado. He was also an Assistant State DECA Supervisor in Arizona. In the mid 80s, Eric became a professional motivational speaker and over the next 15 years, his programs were enjoyed at more than 1,500 high schools and colleges, and also at 21 state DECA conferences, three regional DECA conferences, and one national DECA conference. He is the author of 10 books and was inducted into the International Professional Speakers Hall of Fame. Eric is the founder and president of Generation Why, Inc. (www.GenerationWhy.com), a training and consulting company that helps leading companies and organizations better understand today's youth. Generation Why, Inc. educates his clients on how to recruit, train, employ, and manage employees ages 16–24.

Chapter
Bryan High School 1994–1997

Location
Bryan, TX

Company
Wondaland Productions

Delvin Franklin graduated from Morehouse University in 2002 with a major in Business Management. Participation in DECA further developed his interest in marketing, networking and leadership, and speaking skills along with confidence to do anything he chose.

Delvin started an investment holding company with two business partners, Nathaniel Irvin, III and Charles Joseph, called 1954, Inc–its name being a reference to the transformational and empowering decision of Brown vs. The Board of Education. Its primary purpose is investment and ownership of businesses specializing in intellectual property. 1954, Inc currently has 3 businesses and a non profit organization respectively called Wondaland Productions, 1Autumn, Blak Milk, and The Dark Tower Project. Wondaland Productions is a music production company that has produced for their signed artist Janelle Monae (www.janellemonae.com), who will release 4 albums in 2007. They are currently executive producers of Big Boi and Outkast's solo project scheduled for release later this year and have released several records for the Big Boi presents: Got Purp Vol. II album and the Idlewild album and movie. 1 Autumn is in the final stages of developing the "iPod of social networking", a site that is beautiful and easy to use. Testing of the prototype has begun. Blak Milk is a video production company that is in the nascent stages of development. The Dark Tower Project was formed on the campus of Morehouse College by business partner, Charles Joseph, and friend Mikael Moore – with Delvin having a supporting role in its development. Its seeks to facilitate the development and promotion of the arts within college campuses. The Dark Tower Project currently has chapters on Morehouse College, Spelman College and Emory University with plans to expand to Harvard, Columbia, Stanford and other universities.

Chapter
Newport High School 1986–1987
Bellevue Community College 1988–1992

Location
Washington State

Company
Business Credit Services, Inc.

David Gass has taken the skills and opportunities he received as a DECA and Delta Epsilon Chi member to achieve success as an entrepreneur, focusing on serving small business owners. David started his first company, Business Credit Services™, Inc. in 2000. He is the President and CEO of Business Credit Services.

In 2002 Business Credit Services moved into a new office building, now occupying 6,100 square feet in Las Vegas, Nevada with over 20 employees. In 2004 David branched out and started another company, Business Marketing Services. InFront Finance and Success Steps, Inc. were also founded in 2006. As Business Credit Services continues to grow, and as Gass continues to start new companies the focus has remained the same; working to serve their target market of small business owners. All companies under Mr. Gass's umbrella offer help to small business owners in a variety of ways including, but not limited to: incorporation services, business credit, small business financing, web site design, marketing, and small business consulting.

Gass and Business Credit Services were recognized by the city of Las Vegas with the 2005 Las Vegas Rising Star Award and as the 2006 Nevada DECA Business Person of the Year. Mr. Gass has contributed to Nevada DECA by sponsoring student scholarships and volunteering his staff as competitive event judges. David Gass now sits on Nevada DECA's Board of Trustees where he is able to share his wealth of knowledge regarding both business and DECA. The business community of Las Vegas as well as Nevada DECA are grateful for the many contributions of both resources and talent that David Gass continues to share.

Chapter
Columbus High School 1987–1989

Location
Columbus, NE

Company
Verdict Systems

Michael Hahn is currently the Chief Information Officer and co founder of Verdict Systems (http://www.sanction.com). Michael, along with co–founders Dan Bowen and Andrew Carpenter, started Verdict Systems in 1999 with the vision to change an industry. Legal technology was expensive and difficult to implement in 1999. They set out to develop a software package that was easy to use and affordable for any sized firm. Their primary focus is the development of Sanction, a legal presentation software package. In its simplest form, Sanction allows attourneys to organize and present their evidence from a computer in a trial. Their software is used nationally by the United States Attourneys Office and internationally by the United Nations. In addition, they are used by countless law firms of all sizes in all types of litigation. Currently, Verdict Systems has 15 employees and continues to deliver quality litigation software and services to an international list of clients.

Chapter
Elyria High School 1974

Location
Elyria, Ohio

Company
Over 20 Businesses

Peter Justen is a serial entrepreneur with a 25–year record of developing companies from concept to profit, with a particular focus on driving efficiencies to large and inefficient markets. At Countrywide Funding, Peter launched a new, in–house "start–up" where he generated in excess of $1.8 billion in new loan originations through the development of proprietary channel partners in 18 months, setting new industry standards. He later co–founded a financial services firm based in Washington D.C., where he created over 1,100 alliance partners in 18 months, assisting with the successful sale of the company to a publicly traded financial services firm.

In all, Pete has started more than 20 businesses in 30–years, spanning industries from finance to construction and mortgage lending. He is passionate about entrepreneurship, small business and education for America's youth. Pete is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth, is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Harry F. Byrd School of Entrepreneurship, Shenandoah University, is the Chairman of the Washington Symphony and supports community causes for battered women and children at risk. In 2006 he was selected by Smart CEO Magazine as one of the 20 Leaders We Admire in Washington, D.C.

Chapter
Lexington Technology Center 1984–1986

Location
Lexington, SC

Company
Sassy Tails

Even in personal conversations, it's clear that no one is more surprised about the entrepreneurial journey called Sassy Tails (www.sassytails.com), than Kim Madden. With a background in not–for–profit and corporate leadership, Kim was enjoying the demands of a career and her young family. The corporate experience had offered Kim the opportunity to interact closely with the leadership of Fortune 500 companies like Dell, Kodak, BMW, and Target. But in the autumn of 2003, all of that changed.

When faced with the personal challenge of what to do with her daughter's hair, Kim and Heather, her daughter, launched a business quite by accident. Kim knew instinctively that she and Heather needed a solution they could BOTH agree on and it had to help them actually make it to school and work on time! Out of this quandary arose first the product and then the company known as Sassy Tails.

Today Sassy Tails enjoys sales in more than 38 states and is branching out beyond the borders of the US. Kim energetically heads Sassy Tails while dedicating much effort and enthusiasm to helping other women launch their dreams into realistic business organizations. Her staff, including 9 year old Vice President, Heather Madden, consistently remark about the speed at which Kim moves but they just as faithfully share the enthusiasm that she has instilled in them.

Chapter
Fargo South High School 1988–1989

Location
North Dakota

Company
The Marcil Group

Chief Executive Officer – Mr. Marcil co–founded The Marcil Group Inc. in 2004. During his tenure the company has grown to include over 1,200 residential rental units and over 500,000 Sq. Ft of commercial real estate valued in excess of $40 million. The company has maintained positive cash flow each quarter since inception and achieved asset and revenue growth of over 800% in 2006. A visionary entrepreneur-business developer, Mr. Marcil has more than 20 years of experience in building successful organizations. Through his leadership, the company has expanded to more than 22 employees in the Fargo headquarters and over 100 employees throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. The Marcil Group Inc. is a private, self-advised real estate operating company (REOC). We focus on acquisitions in stable, growing markets that have unique potential for significant long-term returns for our investors. The company has offices in North Dakota and California. We specialize in acquiring, developing and managing multi-unit apartments and other commercial real estate.

Location
Mississippi

Company
The Sign Lab

 

John Massey is a former Delta Epsilon Chi Mississippi State President. After his involvement in DEX, he was well prepared to start his own business, The Sign Lab. The Sign Lab prints T-Shirts, banners, and signs along with shipping via Fed Ex and UPS.

Chapter
Des Moines Area Community College 2004–2006

Location
Ankeny, IA

Company
Fireside Camper Rental, LLC.

Patti Peery of Monroe Iowa took a career setback and turned it into a successful business. Laid off from Maytag, Peery entered Des Moines Area Community College as a Management Major at the same time as her two oldest children. After winning a number of honors, including first place in the Entrepreneurship Event at the 2006 Delta Epsilon Chi International Career Development Conference, she started Fireside Camper Rental, LLC. She has found much success and acclaim for her innovative business model and outstanding customer service. Along with her husband and son, they tow campers to customer–reserved campsites at local state parks and prepare them for the client. After a nearly sold–out first season, they plan to expand for the 2007 season.

Peey said her new career allows her to spend more time with her family and gives other families an opportunity to spend more time together.

Chapter
Middleboro High School 1989–1990
Johnson & Wales University 1990–1994

Location
Middleboro, MA

Company
50% owner of "The Streetside Cafe"

Website
http://www.thestreetsidecafe.com

Cory Rogers is quite a busy person! Not only is he a former DECA member, but he is currently a DECA Advisor and marketing teacher at Norton High School in Massachusetts. He also owns "The Streetside Café", which has been in business for over two years. The web page is http://www.thestreetsidecafe.com. He bought it in a partnership with his family and is a 50% owner. He has been using the family restaurant in his business classes as a case study since then. His first two employees were former DECA students as well! How's that for keeping it in the DECA family!

Chapter
Phoebus High School

Location
Hampton, VA

Company
Menchville High School Entrepreneur and Inventors Club

Gary Sealey and Jerry Scicchitano started the Menchville High School Entrepreneur and Inventors Club in 2005. A former DECA member in 1977, Gary was extremely active and an officer in the DECA chapter at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Virginia. In 1995, Gary became a marketing education teacher. He has been a DECA advisor for over ten years. Because of their entrepreneurial spirit, Gary and Jerry developed a local entrepreneur club for students to learn how to start businesses. Students are guided through creative entrepreneur projects where students can obtain small loans from their club to start their own business making small interest free monthly payments, apply for contracts to develop websites as a small business, or partner with local businesses for specific learning activities. One unique business opportunity involved entrepreneur club members partnering with a local real estate broker to purchase a local home, renovate it, and sell the property. As a result of a $32,500 profit made from the partnership, the broker provided scholarship checks to each entrepreneur club member involved in the project.

Gary Sealey and Jerry Scicchitano are dedicated to providing great entrepreneurial learning opportunities for a new generation of DECA members as well as interested students.

Company
Extreme Entrepreneurship Education
Author of, "The Student Success Manifesto" and
"All or Nothing, Now or Never"

Using creative financing strategies, Sheena became financially independent of her parents at the age of 17 and has been able to completely pat her way through NYU's $30,000+ yearly tuition, excel in school, work full–time at jobs she loves, co–found a business, and write a book.

Michael co–founded his first business, Princeton WebSolutions (PWS), when he was sixteen years old. PWS was later rated the #1 youth–run web development company in the nation by Youngbiz Magazine. In addition, Michael has been the winners of three entrepreneur of the year awards from the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Fleet, and the National Coalition for Empowering Youth Entrepreneurship.

Chapter
Sunrise Mtn. High School 2004–2006

Location
Peoria, AZ

Company
New Ends Skateboarding Co.

Derek Tracy, founder & CEO of New Ends Skateboarding Co., started New Ends in 1997, with the vision of creating a company that would impact the skateboard industry. His ambition and drive for success has shown others his will and determination to overcome obstacles with his high energy and vivacious attitude towards business. Derek's company works side by side with the music, art and fashion industry to help market and articulate the company's direction. With a creative contracting team of artists and designers the company is constantly working on new designs. New Ends products are available at skateboard shops as well as their website's online store (http://www.newendsskateboarding.com).

Chapter
Broken Arrow High School 2001–2003

Location
Broken Arrow, OK

Company
Flawless Golf

Tyler Yoak started Flawless Golf in the summer of 2005 as a hobby venture. A long–time golfer and avid hobbyist, he decided to meld his many loves (Golf, hands–on work, graphics, marketing, and web design) into what was an all–too–obvious creation for him: a golf company. As people around the area found out what he did and was capable of doing, they started asking for small jobs – repairing, regripping, or modifications to customize their stock equipment. Soon he realized there was a need, not only in his community, but on the web. Most other companies (even on popular online auction sites) that sell golf equipment set their prices far too high for the average "weekend warrior". With some research, he developed relationships with manufacturers overseas that would allow him to acquire top–notch golf club components that could be sold for far less than anyone around town...even on the Internet. Since he works closely with the manufacturer, from design to market research, he can personally stand by the quality, design, feel, and price of each club sold. His company has grown into much more than just a hobby – having a full–line catalog, soon–to–be–launched web site, and annual tournaments and demo days, it has become one of the premier non–proline custom golf businesses in the area (soon to be on the Internet).