MEET YOUR 2025-26 STATE OFFICERS
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Anjali BabuState PresidentAnjali Babu is a 3rd year DECA member at Brentwood High School. She joined her freshman year and quickly grew to love the organization. Anjali has competed at the International Career Development Conference every year and currently competes in the Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making event. She has served as a chapter officer at her school for the last two years, most recently as the Vice President of Social Activities. Anjali is captain of the Brentwood Swim Team and has been competitively swimming since the age of 4. In the summer she works as a swim coach, sharing her love of swimming with the kids in her community. Anjali is very passionate about music and loves to sing and play her instruments. She spends her free time with friends and family and loves meeting new people. Anjali has been elected to serve as your 2025-2026 Tennessee State President and she could not be more excited! She cannot wait to grow Tennessee DECA and give back to the organization that has shaped her high school experience.
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Carlos WatkinsVice President of LeadershipCarlos Watkins is a 2nd year DECA member and a sophomore at Memphis East High School, where he began his DECA journey as Freshman Representative. He also attended ICDC 2024 in Anaheim, California, bringing back key insights that contributed to his chapter's growth. He later served as Chapter General Vice President for the 2025-2026 term before becoming the first State Officer from East High DECA. Known as “Mr. DECA” or “King DECA” by his chapter peers, Carlos has played a vital role in his chapter’s leadership and development.
Outside of DECA, Carlos is highly civic-minded and passionate about youth development. He works with several civic organizations, including the Neighborhood Christian Center’s Performing Arts Camp, where he mentors young people in performing arts and public speaking, all while spreading the gospel. Advocacy is one of Carlos’s core values, and he projects his voice to bring about lasting change. He enjoys Memphis rap from artists like NLE Choppa, Moneybagg Yo, Glorilla, and Big Boogie, as well as gospel artists like Tye Tribbett, Lecrae, Brandon Lake, Tasha Cobbs and Pastor Mike Jr. Carlos enjoys the Madea movies and plays, with his new favorite from Tyler Perry being The Six Triple Eight movie. Carlos is humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve as your Team 82 Vice President of Leadership! |
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Carlton TownesVice President of MarketingCarlton Townes is a 2nd year member of DECA from McKenzie, TN. Carlton advanced to the Tennessee DECA State Career Development Conference as a sophomore, where he competed in Hospitality and Tourism Team Decision Making. This is what ignited his passion for DECA. Carlton aims to make DECA feel more inclusive while preparing for real life situations. Carlton also wants to bring DECA chapters to small town schools similar to his own and make a lasting impact on the DECA organization as a whole. Outside of DECA, you can find him supporting his school, community, and his friends. He is involved in multiple sports teams and management and leadership roles in various school organizations as well. He is a leader in his community; serving people and making a difference in people’s lives. Carlton has always had a heart for helping and serving others. You might find him working at his family’s TNT BBQ restaurant. You could also find him shopping, meeting new people, or traveling/spreading the word of Jesus. Carlton is the 2025-2026 Vice President of Marketing for Tennessee DECA!
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Gavin ThierVice President of HospitalityGavin Thier is a junior DECA member from Page High School. He values DECA because it allows him to bring his competitive spirit, passion for business, and pursuit of knowledge together. During his term as Page’s Vice President of Communications, Gavin met Team 81’s Vice President of Hospitality Mason St. Jean on a Chapter Spotlight interview. Mason introduced him to the impact a State Officer can make. Less than 2 months later, Gavin was elected to be Team 82’s Vice President of Hospitality - truly a full circle moment. Gavin wants to give members a platform to amplify their voices and be the change they want to see within Tennessee DECA. In his free time, Gavin enjoys playing football and basketball, connecting with his community, playing guitar, and listening to music (especially Daniel Caesar & Brent Faiyaz)! He is excited to meet as many members as possible this year and listen to their amazing ideas to ensure that a positive force of change comes with Team 82. Gavin is incredibly grateful to serve as your Vice President of Hospitality this year!
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Owen BurrellVice President of Career DevelopmentOwen Burrell is a 3rd year DECA member at Summit High School. He first found his love for DECA when he competed his freshman year. Through competing, he gained real business knowledge and discovered the importance of Career and Technical Student Organizations. From there, he found his passion for promoting Career and Technical Education to other students. Since then, Owen has come back to compete yearly and take on leadership roles within his chapter, including Underclassmen Recruiter and SBE Manager. In his first year as an officer he doubled chapter membership, providing more access to CTE in his school. Owen’s purpose as a leader is to serve others. In Tennessee DECA, he aims to help smaller chapters grow to reach each student in their school. He hopes to expand DECA fundraising across Tennessee and ensure all students have access to Career & Technical Education. Outside of DECA, Owen enjoys producing his podcast ‘Career Conversations’, running with his cross-country team, and finding inspiration through music. Guided by faith, he works tirelessly to ensure others have access to the same opportunities he’s been given. Owen is the 2025-2026 Vice President of Career Development for Tennessee DECA!
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