Our Board of Trustees

Learn about our Board of Trustees

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Who Are the Board of Trustees at BPA?

The Business Professionals of America Board of Trustees is the primary governing body for the organization. The make-up of the board consists of a talented group of educators, organization and community leaders and professionals that are dedicated to Mission and Vision of our organization.

Meeting regularly throughout the year, the Board of Trustees manages all affairs of Business Professionals of America, establishes and monitors the annual budget, oversees the organization’s assets and ensures sound management of the association. The Board of Trustees consists of 13 voting members and two non-voting ex-officio members that include the Board’s Immediate Past Chair and the National Association’s Executive Director. Trustees are elected by the corporate body at the National Leadership Conference each year and traditionally serve three-year terms.

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Want to learn more about the responsibilities of a our BPA Board Members? Download our Board Member Responsibilities document.

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Elected Officers

Paxton Cavin
Chair

At-Large Representative
Elected: 2021
Term Expires: 2024 (1st term)
Occupation: Oklahoma State Advisor

Devin Alexander
Vice Chair

State Advisor Representative
Elected: 2022
Term Expires: 2025 (1st term)
Occupation: Florida State Advisor

Jeannette Barreto
Secretary

Secondary Local Advisor Representative
Elected: 2022
Term Expires: 2024 (1st term)
Occupation: Educator, Billings Senior High School

Angie Benson
Treasurer

NBAC Representative
Appointed: 2022
Term Expires: 2025 (2nd term)
Occupation: Customer Success Manager, SmartSense by Digi

Board Members

Andrea Leal

Alumni Representative
Elected: 2022
Term Expires: 2025 (1st term)
Occupation: Payroll and Compensation Specialist, General Electric

Sonya Russell

At-Large Representative
Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 2026 (1st term)
Occupation: Information Technology Specialist
Arlington Middle School, Florida

Dr. Brenda Jacobsen

Postsecondary Representative
Elected: 2021
Term Expires: 2024 (1st term)
Occupation: Idaho Post-secondary State Advisor | Associate Professor at Idaho State University

Sabrina Taylor

Middle Level Local Advisor Representative
Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 2026
Occupation: Author and FWISD Educational Technology

Lisa Parker

State Advisor Representative
Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 2026 (1st term)
Occupation: State Advisor, Montana

Breezy Gutierrez

State Supervisor Representative
Elected: 2021
Term Expires: 2024 (filling unexpired 2021-2024 term)
Occupation: Education Administrator, New Mexico Public Education Department

Lucy Christensen

National Secondary President
Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 2024
Occupation: Student

Amber Lane

National Post-secondary President
Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 2024
Occupation: Student

Steven J. Mitchell

Ex-Officio
Occupation: Executive Director/CEO,
Business Professionals of America, Inc.

 
 

BPA Board of Trustees Nominations

Each year, the Nominations Committee of the Board of Trustees opens up the nominations process for vacant positions on the Board.

Are you or do you know anyone who may be interested in serving as a member of the national BPA Board of Trustees?

Nomination Process

In order to be considered by the Nominating Committee, a Nomination Form for a candidate must be submitted. Nominees must also submit a Nomination Acceptance Form with their written consent to serve, two (2) letters of reference, and documentation of qualifications. All nominations and nomination acceptances must be submitted via the online forms provided below.

The board nomination deadline is March 15, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET. 

The board nomination acceptance deadline is also March 15, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET. 

After this date, the Nominating Committee will verify the candidates' qualifications and determine eligibility. The names and qualifications of all candidates meeting eligibility requirements will then be distributed to the Corporate members fourteen (14) days prior to the Annual Corporate Meeting at NLC. 

Those who do not submit a nomination form and/or accept a nomination by the deadline can be nominated from the floor provided that the candidate complies with the eligibility requirements and documentation requirements, which includes their written consent to serve, two (2) letters of reference, and documentation of qualifications. This must be received by the Chair of the Nominating Committee no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the Annual Corporate Meeting, and will then be distributed to the corporate members seven (7) days prior to the Annual Corporate Meeting.

Submit a Board of Trustee Nomination Form
Have you been nominated? Submit your Nomination Acceptance Form

Want to nominate a candidate for the BPA Board of Trustees?

Use our form below to get a qualified candidate nominated for the Business Professionals of America's Board of Trustees.

Strategic & Long Range Plan

Business Professionals of Americas Plan Through 2022

The Board of Trustees has provided an electronic version of the organization’s Strategic and Long Range Plan. Reviewed regularly by the SLRP Committee, this document includes measurable, realistic, attainable but challenging, long-term goals and strategies for the organization.  This document is made available to communicate the organization’s goals, the actions needed to achieve those goals and critical elements developed during the planning phase.

Learn More!Our Governing Documents

Strategic & Long Range Plan

Business Professionals of Americas Plan Through 2022

The Board of Trustees has provided an electronic version of the organization’s Strategic and Long Range Plan. Reviewed regularly by the SLRP Committee, this document includes measurable, realistic, attainable but challenging, long-term goals and strategies for the organization.  This document is made available to communicate the organization’s goals, the actions needed to achieve those goals and critical elements developed during the planning phase.

Learn More!

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