Hi my name is Ainsley and I am your President. I have been involved in Deca since my sophomore year of high school. I am now a senior at Osage high school. If I’m not doing deca I am most likely playing softball or running events for my schools student body. I hope to make everyone feel included at Deca!
Hi! I'm Mario Napolitano and I am the Vice President of Leadership for Iowa DECA. I am a Junior at Ames high school, two time ICDC qualifier, and I compete in the Business Finance Services event. I'm also the Vice President of Career Development in Ames DECA. Aside from DECA, I play baseball, football, and the trombone. As the Vice President of Leadership, it is my role to ensure the best experience possible for each and every member. Feel free to reach out to me for any reason.
Hi! I’m Shrey Patel, your Vice President of Career Development. I’m currently also the Vice President of Finance for Ames High DECA where I’m a Junior. Joining DECA my Freshman year was one of my best career decisions. Not only have I improved my leadership skills and built a thriving network of our awesome members across the state, but DECA has provided me with numerous opportunities to help better my career and to give back to the community that’s given me so much. As your VP of Career Development, my goal is to encourage and ensure every member fully utilizes the opportunities available through DECA and provide support to help members realize their full potential and excel at every level of the competition. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime, and I’ll be happy to help you on your way to success.
Hi! My name is Karley Smith and I am your Vice President of Community Service. I started DECA as a freshman and am now a senior at Indianola High School. If I'm not at school or doing DECA things, I'm at dance practice. I am also the president of FCCLA, the president of the Mayor's Youth Council, involved in football cheer, and participate in Silver Cord at my school. As a state officer, I want to get everyone involved and make DECA an unforgettable experience for all members. I can't wait to see where this crazy year takes us Iowa DECA!
Hello! My name is Morgan Petersen and I am the Iowa DECA Executive Director. Before this role, I spent time as a DECA member, three year ICDC qualifier, Iowa DECA State Officer, and the State Officer Advisor. When I am not working, I enjoy advising the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority at UNI and spending time with my husband and two dogs. As the Executive Director, it is my goal to get to know DECA members from across the state and to continuously grow Iowa DECA along with industry trends and programs from around the world. My phone and email inbox are always open for questions, concerns, or new ideas! I am looking forward to another great DECA year!
"DECA has given me the opportunity to build friendships with people I never would have met. I have been given many opportunities to develop my professional and leadership skills through conferences in DECA. I believe DECA can provide opportunities for everyone!"
"DECA has given me the opportunity to meet new people, become a better leader, and learn about the business world...all while having fun! Due to my experiences in DECA, I can confidently say that I am better prepared for the future than I was before I joined DECA.”
"DECA is a great group to be a part of. I have made a lot of new friends, made connections, and developed skills I’ll need to be successful in life. Best of all I’ve had a ton of fun, from the competitive events to running service projects. DECA is awesome!"
