Dear SkillsUSA Nation,
I’m writing to let you know that SkillsUSA’s board of directors has unanimously approved the acceptance of an offer to purchase our National Leadership Center building and property in Leesburg, Va.
This decision was reached for many reasons, all of which can be summed up by one: This opportunity will strengthen and expand our national life-changing mission. That will happen through the creation of new pathways to better serve our student and teacher members for generations to come, all while providing the organization with an even stronger financial foundation. More information can be found in the FAQ (“Frequently Asked Questions”) below, as well as more details on our decision-making process and SkillsUSA’s next steps.
We’ve already delivered this announcement to our national staff, state directors, national officer team and a select group of stakeholders with strong ties to our organizational legacy. We’ve also conducted virtual meetings with these groups, where we explained the process and reasoning behind the decision in great detail and addressed questions and concerns. More meetings will be held in the coming days. Please feel free to reach out to me if you’d like to learn more.
I recognize the magnitude of this decision for many to whom our NLC remains a beloved source of pride. I count myself among that group. I want to assure you that this decision was made with care, respect, consideration and exhaustive research. Most importantly, it was made with our mission in mind. That mission is our North Star, and it must ultimately guide every decision we make, no matter how challenging they may sometimes be.
It’s also important to note that this decision was made from a position of organizational strength. Consequently, this sale should be viewed as a forward-thinking decision rather than one born out of need. SkillsUSA is strong, and our mission is more valued than ever.
Our theme this year is “SkillsUSA: United as One.” That unity of purpose has fueled our organization’s perpetual growth since 1965, and we’re just getting started. After all, SkillsUSA’s true legacy is ultimately measured in the lives this organization has changed for the better: 14 million so far … and counting.
It is the honor of my life to lead this great organization, and I look forward to seeing many of you in-person in 2022.
Chelle,
Chelle Travis
Executive Director
This FAQ (“Frequently Asked Questions”) answers many questions related to the sale of SkillsUSA’s National Leadership Center (NLC). If you have further questions not represented below, please submit them using this online form and we’ll respond with answers as soon as we can.
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