Preserving Our Rich Heritage: 60 Years of Excellence

A Message from Chelle Travis, Executive Director of SkillsUSA

"To build the future, we must honor the past."

At SkillsUSA, our history is more than a timeline—it's a living legacy shaped by students, educators and leaders who believed in the power of career and technical education to transform lives. This Oral History collection is a tribute to those voices.

Through these stories, you’ll hear from individuals who laid the foundation for the SkillsUSA we know today—sharing pivotal moments, lessons learned and the passion that has carried our mission across generations.

I invite you to explore these memories not as distant history, but as the heartbeat of a movement that continues to grow. These voices remind us where we’ve been, and more importantly, where we’re going.

Chelle Travis

Executive Director (2019–Present)

Chelle Travis leads SkillsUSA with a future-forward vision grounded in equity, innovation and workforce relevance. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach, deepened industry partnerships and reaffirmed its commitment to empower its members to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members.

Our Legacy in Their Words

In November 2024, SkillsUSA captured the rich history of our organization through interviews with some of our most influential leaders. These oral histories preserve the legacy and evolution of SkillsUSA from its humble beginnings as the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) to the national force it has become today.

These interviews feature firsthand accounts from the people who shaped SkillsUSA over the decades:

Chelle Travis: Executive Director (2019-Current)
Larry Johnson: Founding Executive Director (1965-1988)
Karen Beatty: First employee (1967-2015) who witnessed the organization grow from its earliest days
Stephen Denby: Executive Director (1988-2001) who led the organization through crucial transitions
Tim Lawrence: Executive Director (2001-2019)
Dr. Lee Ross: Teacher and state leader with over 50 years of involvement

These oral histories were captured in November 2024, with student member Katahdin Javner conducting the interviews. SkillsUSA continues to document its rich history through the voices of those who shaped it, preserving their wisdom for future generations of members.

Larry Johnson

Founding Executive Director (1965–1988)

Larry Johnson reflects on the earliest days of the organization and the foundational mission that continues to guide SkillsUSA today.

Karen Beatty

First Employee (1966–2015)

Karen Beatty recounts the early days of the organization and her firsthand experience supporting its growth over nearly five decades. She began work at VICA in 1966 as a high school senior and joined the staff full time after she graduated.

Stephen Denby

Executive Director (1988–2001)

Stephen Denby discusses the strategic transition from VICA to SkillsUSA, and why the new name helped elevate the organization’s identity and mission.

Tim Lawrence

Executive Director (2001–2019)

Tim Lawrence, Executive Director Emeritus, helped usher SkillsUSA into the 21st century, modernizing programs while staying grounded in the organization’s original purpose. Lawrence is SkillsUSA’s Executive Director Emeritus.

The Heartbeat of SkillsUSA: A Message from Former Executive Director Tim Lawrence

Lawrence shares a powerful analogy about the magic of SkillsUSA—how our educators, advisors, and industry partners come together like the human body, working in harmony to support and empower our students. Listen to his reflection below.

Dr. Lee Ross

Educator and State Leader (Over 50 years of service)

Dr. Lee Ross shares his passion for student leadership and the transformation he’s witnessed through SkillsUSA’s programs over the years.

Industry Alliance: Forging Partnerships That Transform Lives

According to Stephen Denby, Executive Director from 1988-2001, one of the pivotal developments in the organization's history was the strengthening of industry partnerships:

"The involvement of business and industry in VICA at the time was critical to the changes that we had to make. We began to see ourselves differently than a club. We saw ourselves as a partnership, a real partnership, where your partners put something in and they take something away.”

Under his leadership, the organization cultivated relationships with industry leaders who wanted to ensure students were developing skills that matched workplace needs. Notable corporate partners included leadership from Mack Trucks, General Motors, Caterpillar, DeWALT and Newport News Shipbuilding.

Students Leading the Way: The Heart of Our Success

A consistent theme throughout SkillsUSA's history has been the power of student leadership. The organization pioneered innovative approaches to developing leadership skills among vocational students:

"We put our young national officers on the road to go from business to business. They did an outstanding job and brought us a lot of great partners,” according to Stephen Denby. “It was so powerful inside those corporate headquarters to where they were able to make the case for the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America."

*2024-25 SkillsUSA National Officers Avery Smith and Brock Davis at Lincoln Electric Headquarters.*

“As we acknowledge the 60th anniversary of SkillsUSA, I am proud to support an organization that has consistently empowered students to excel in their careers and leadership roles. SkillsUSA's dedication to fostering essential skills and shaping future leaders is truly inspiring. Here's to many more years of success and growth!”
Jason Schmidt
Manager of Technical Services and Education, Lincoln Electric
SkillsUSA sponsor since 1972

These student leaders not only helped grow the organization but also developed professional skills that would serve them throughout their careers, embodying the very mission SkillsUSA continues to champion today.

Evolution of the Name: From VICA to SkillsUSA

One of the most significant changes in the organization's history was the transition from VICA to SkillsUSA. Stephen Denby explained the strategic thinking behind this change:

"Vocational, to some people, meant something of lesser value... The word 'club' signified extracurricular, and it wasn't. It was an integral part of the instructional program inside of the classroom. So we began to look for a name that really signified skills in the center, directly and very short and to the point —and SkillsUSA fit the bill."

The transition occurred gradually, with "SkillsUSA-VICA" serving as an interim name before eventually becoming simply "SkillsUSA."

Honoring Tradition While Embracing the Future

As SkillsUSA celebrates its 60th anniversary, our founders and former leaders remind us to honor the organization's roots while continuing to innovate:

"This is a great organization. Congratulations on the 60th anniversary,” Denby said, “But I would say, don't forget where we came from. The skilled trades in this country are vital, and we just don't want to forget that and move strictly to all the glitzy glamour of the technological age."

The dignity of work remains at the core of SkillsUSA's mission, just as it was when the organization was founded. The vision established by our early leaders continues to guide us as we prepare a new generation of skilled professionals.

Share Your Story + Content with SkillsUSA

Whether you're a student, educator, alumni or industry partner, we want to hear how SkillsUSA has impacted you. Your voice matters — and your story helps preserve our shared legacy. Submit a quote, photo or short video and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals.

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Oral History from Our Founders and Leaders