Our History

DECA was first started in Wisconsin at the postsecondary level in the early 1960’s. During the 1961 American Vocational Convention in Kansas City, representatives from three states (Wisconsin, Washington and Kansas) met with the National DECA staff to organize postsecondary involvement in the upcoming DECA National Leadership Conference.

Immediately after that meeting, on December 18, 1961, the Wisconsin State Board of Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education approved the newly created constitution for the Wisconsin Distributive Education Association. As a result, DECA chapters were formed on the following campuses: Green Bay (first chapter), Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, and Wausau. The leadership group establishing policy included Charles Christianson, Richard Ashman, Wayne Little, Vernon Swenson and Walter Chojnowski.

In the following year, 1962, Wisconsin received its state charter. Annual growth continued at postsecondary level with leadership coming from state advisors including Vernon Swenson, Walter Chojnowski, Bill Marotz and David Hague. The current Executive Director of Delta Epsilon Chi, Mae J. Laatsch, received DECA’s Honorary Life Award in 1986.

In 1988, Wisconsin’s Postsecondary Division changed its name to Wisconsin Management Association, Delta Epsilon Chi (WMMA/∆EX). This post secondary organization has grown to more than 700 student members, with numerous national competitive events winners, and several national officers. The association offers a variety of opportunities to participate in professional, civic, leadership, and social activities.