AWARD RECIPIENTS

Each year, Florida DECA honors individuals who have made lasting contributions to the organization through a range of prestigious awards recognizing dedication, service, and leadership.

Honorary Life Member

An Honorary Life Membership may be awarded to an advisor who has contributed a minimum of 10 years of service and who has significantly aided the development and progress of DECA at Florida DECA; or to individuals other than advisors who have supported Florida DECA in a significant way for a minimum of 10 years and from whom DECA may reasonably expect continued interest in its activities.

An Honorary Life Membership in Florida DECA is the highest award the organization can bestow. Nominees must be recommended by a committee of one to three individuals from the Professional Division with approval from the Florida DECA Board of Advisors. Only under unusual circumstances can more than one such award be presented in any one year.

Theron Moss-1972
Bea Quigg-1973
Mark Hollis Jr.-1974
Bill Dannenburg-1974
James Pope-1974
Ed Fleming-1976
Rob Stubing-1976
Leroy Buckner-1978
Pete Colaianii-1981
Robert Crawford-1982
William A. Forr-1984
John Frazier-1985

Russell Brown-1986
Annette Deason-1987
Jack Rose-1990
Dave Redding-1991
Dr. Gerald Patterson-1992
Douglas T. Johnson-1993
Fred Reed-1994
Richard Hoptar-1994
Don Greene-1995
Jim King-1997
Arlen Mizell-2001
Dr. Lynore Levenhagen-2003

Mark Rael-2003
Jim King-2008
Dennis Sweetapple-2011
James Evans-2012
Jerry Holt-2015
Tammy DeLeonardo-2016
Debra Carter-2017
Rochelle Stanfill-2019

Outstanding Service

Awarded to DECA Advisors and teachers who have provided outstanding service to the Florida Chartered Association for more than five years.

Richard Hoptar-1981
Charles Barney-1981
John Miracola-1984
Jack Rose-1984
Don Greene-1985
Dr. Gerald Patterson-1985
David Redding-1985
Jim King-1987
Bill Forbes-1990
Joe Zaher-1992
Arlen Mizell-1992
Cathy Sims-1993

Kristy Lisle-1993
Jack Moody-1994
Meg Mondron-1996
Mark Rael-1998
Robert Watts-1998
Jeff Hommel-1999
Jerry Holt-2000
Tammy DeLeonardo-2000
Dennis Sweetapple-2004
James Evans-2006
Rochelle Stanfill-2010
Jillian Berg-2011

Jamie Benedict-2012
Robert J. Hosier-2014
Jamie Simmons-2015
Danielle Nascimento-2016
Denise Jacks-2017
Eddy Rojas-2018
Drew Goldfinger-2022
Laurie Acosta-2023
Wendy Rosche-2023
Rachael Dubrow-2024

Hall of Fame

Honors past or present DECA Advisors, teachers, or Florida Department of Education personnel who have significantly contributed to the success of Florida DECA at the state or local levels.

Patty Alonso
Rebecca Anzevino
Charles Barney
Bob Boegli
Marilyn Bruni
Leroy Buckner
Linda Cannon
Jim Carr
Scott Coddington
Laura Cooper
Robert Crawford
Tammy DeLeonardo
Winnie Dickerson
James Evans
Ed Fleming
John Frazier
Bruce Frimet
Linda Gallo
Bob Giannone
Robert Gordon
Dave Green
Don Greene
Bonnie "Derry" Graupp
Trish Griffin

Kent Harriman
Dr. Wally Holmes
Jerry Holt
Jeff Hommel
Richard Hoptar
Mariann Jenson
Douglas Johnson
Ada Johnson Brown
Mami Johnson
Greg Kennedy
Jim King
Rhea Lightner
Lynore Levenhagen
Donna Martin
Susan May
Cory Mims
Bob Moccia
John Miracola
Arlen Mizell
Meg Mondron
Jack Moody
Glen Moore
Dr. Gerald Patterson
Greg Payette

Jacqueline Peeters
Mark Peterson
Richard Powell
James Rademacher
Mark Rael
Dave Redding
Fred Reed
Janet Richards
Mike Rothouse
Glenn Rubinstein
Stephanie Rittenhour
Neil Schain
Dee Ann Scionti
Mary Lou Sellers
Ed Sheffield
Jamie Simmons
Dennis Sweetapple
Vamesese Tramel
Gail Trapnell
Joe Zaher
Marty Zollo

Awards of Merit

Presented to government officials, businesspeople, school administrators, or other individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the success of DECA at the state level.

Arlene Hoptar (Maas Brothers)-1984
Lawrence Bellerose (Winn-Dixie)-1986
Kenneth W. Clark (Winn-Dixie)-1987
Reginald B. Colvard (Winn-Dixie)-1987
James Harmon (Harmon Industries)-1987
Bob Stone (Publix)-1987
Claire Rhodes (Department of Education)-1991
Cathy Belcher (Travel Ventures)-1993
Richard Powell (Hillsborough County Schools)-1993

Jean Fleming-1996
Deb Kenn (Lyman High School)-1996
Ana Healey (Int. Fine Arts College)-1999
Karen Helm (Art Institute of Ft. Laud.)-1999
Cheryl Triplett (Northwood University)-1999
Connie Ottman (Mid-Florida Tech. Inst.)-2000
Ellen Albano (Broward County Schools)-2006
Kevin Moritis (Universal Studios)-2009
Sue Ward (Publix)-2009

Eagle Dare to Achieve

Presented to a board member who, over the years, has accepted challenges and inspired the very best in the people they serve. No more than two recipients may be chosen in a year.

Carl Grieco-1983
Dave Green-1984
Ed Fleming-1985
Fred Reed-1986
Richard Hoptar-1988
Barbara Anderson-1989
Douglas Johnson-1990
John Hilick-1991
Rhea Lightner-1992
Jim King-1994

Dennis Sweetapple-1994
Arlen Mizell-1996
Dr. Lynore Levenhagen-2000
Jerry Holt-2003
Mark Rael-2006
Tammy DeLeonardo-2010
Jamie Benedict-2014
Carla Ross-2016
Robert J. Hosier-2016
Rochelle Stanfill-2017

Officer Coordinator's Award

Presented to Chartered Association Officers who go above and beyond their duties, making a lasting positive impact on the organization.

Zack Schaja (Vice President)-Team 55
Jason Richards (Vice President)-Team 55
Ana Fernandez (Vice President)-Team 56
Zack Schaja (President)-Team 56
Nicole Donato (Vice President)-Team 57
Wesley Lopez (Vice President)-Team 57
Morgan Barse (Vice President)-Team 58
Anya Berry (Executive VP)-Team 59

Chad Doback (Vice President)-Team 60
Gabby Venanzi (Executive VP)-Team 62
Addyson Steeken (Vice President)-Team 63
Amanda Hernandez (Executive VP)-Team 63
Isabella French (Vice President)-Team 64
Jesus Garcia Moreno (Vice President)-Team 64
Amanda Hernandez (President)-Team 64

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