MARKETING STUDENT AND LOCAL RACER EMBARKS ON NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

DECA State Officer Selected To Represent Washington State At National Convention

Kirkland, WA - March 25, 2002 (RFN) - In the Olympic spirit of competition, Tony Berry, a senior at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, WA and a current Washington DECA State Officer will be campaigning for National DECA President this April 19-24 at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Running for this national office is similar to any public election process. Berry will meet with DECA representatives from across the United States during this convention, and participate in  business meetings, competitions, the national elections process as well as hosting multiple trade show exhibit booths while in Salt Lake City.

Opening the campaign, the 2001 NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series Champion, Kevin Hamlin, makes a generous contribution which will assist with Berry's campaign expenses.

"Our race team prides itself with our ongoing community involvement throughout the northwest especially when it involves young people and their activities," Hamlin said. "Tony's a great guy and a very competitive racer, I am happy to help with his national campaign efforts."

Berry, a nine time NW Karting Track Champion, Legend and late model driver is scheduled to drive his late model car at various NW tracks during the 2002 season.

"Kevin has been someone I've admired ever since he won his first Weekly Racing Series race at Evergreen at the age of 17," comments Berry. "I’ve been trying to catch up with him ever since!"

 

In addition to DECA, Tony is also very involved with community activities, such as being the Co-Chairman of the Redmond Youth Partnership, a member of Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn's "Youth Advisory Council" and recently a "Page" in the United States Congress. It has always been a priority with Tony to give back to his community and he understands the importance of volunteering.

The logistics for this pursuit are considerable, months of planning and preparation go into a venture of this size.

"We have assembled a great campaign team and are finalizing our platform, brochures, signage, printing, campaign booth and final strategies," said Berry.

The campaign theme is "Tony Berry: Going the Distance".

With this campaign announcement the main focus now is organizing fund raising efforts to support very real campaign costs of brochures, printing, signage and travel.

"I am looking to the state-wide business community to assist me in this fund raising effort with financial contributions and in-kind donations to help offset these expenses. Business and personal contributions for this fund raising effort do have 501 (c) (3) IRS tax deductible status," said Berry.

above: The 2002 Tony Berry DECA  logo theme

DECA is a student organization that serves members interested in Marketing and Business. The High School Division has over 180,000 members in all 50 states, 3 Canadian Provinces, Guam, Germany, as well as the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. The International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is held on an annual basis and is the culminating competition-based conference for DECA members who have made it through local and state competition. Every year this conference draws approximately 14,000 DECA members and advisors. Aside from competition, at the ICDC DECA members vote on a peer that they wish to represent them for the next year as their National DECA President.

Washington DECA is the second largest state association with 143 chapters serving over 10,000 members state wide. One of Berry's responsibilities as national president will be to not only serve these and the other 180,000 DECA members nation-wide, but to educate them about post-secondary opportunities in Delta-Epsilon-Chi--the College Division of DECA."

Feeling good about election possibilities Berry comments, "I am very confident in the campaign we are putting together along with my strengths to serve the DECA membership nationally. I am running for the right reasons and look forward to the hard work, excitement and the responsibility to help spread the good word about DECA and its people."

Just as in governmental politics, it requires funding to put forth a campaign that will reach the voting delegates effectively. Berry's campaign requires support from within the business community to assist election efforts.

The possibility of having the DECA National President reside from Washington State can potentially provide some terrific public relation opportunities for the Washington business community.

The primary role of a DECA National President is to be an ambassador for the organization. Promoting the organization, giving workshops and speeches for students, developing corporate support throughout the United States and making recommendations to the Board of Directors as is appropriate.

"Becoming National DECA President is an honor and a working commitment. This certainly will require me to manage and balance my time between my university needs and the extensive travel required to effectively perform my responsibilities," said Berry.

"This is not a paid position, however, it is a tremendous opportunity to meet the dedicated DECA membership from all over the country and work with them to spread the excitement and benefits of the DECA experience."

Berry continues, "I am very excited about DECA, what it stands for and what it can mean to young people as they determine their life's work. It is an organization that really cares about young people and can help build their personal and business skills as well as their confidence in themselves and others."

The Tony Berry 2002 Campaign for the DECA National President is seeking funding for this effort. If you wish to contribute or offer assistance please contact Tony directly at 425.881.6139, or Email: AJBRacing@aol.com.

Words to live by:

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny."