In 2001 Renae Carlson decided to start a BPA Chapter at St. Michael Albertville High School. As an incentive to encourage students to join Business Professionals of America, she planned a learning experience to NYC.  This was remarkably successful and since then the program has continued to grow.  Annually, she plans a learning experience to either NYC, Chicago, Seattle or San Francisco. Each year four to five corporations in the selected city host a seminar for students to help them in their career planning.

Renae has been a region representative on the Board of Directors and currently serves on the State Board as chairperson. In 2019 she received the Business Professionals of America Minnesota Association Outstanding Service Award. Renae Carlson has spent more than 21 years working with St. Michael Albertville High School students enjoys being involved in BPA as she helps students pursue a career they will have a passion for.

She currently works at Normandale Community College teaching college level business classes. Residing in St. Michael, MN she has two grown sons who also participated in BPA. She likes to spend time at the lake and travel in her free time. But more than anything, she loves to be with her family and grandchildren.

From our National Executive Director Dr. LouAnn Ross:

This year’s theme was selected after receipt and review of, as well as comprehensive dialogue around, submissions from state qualifiers in the Graphic Design Promotion competitive event. There were many this year that projected encouraging messages of energy, aspiration and motivation and made for lively conversation by our National Officer Team. The team felt that the chosen theme embraced what BPA is as a student organization and conveys a message of inspiration, achievement and hope for our members.

We will begin sharing the news on our National BPA social media platforms to help generate excitement among the BPA membership. Also, as the National Officer Team begins development of their Program of Work, they will explore how they would like to reveal the Membership Theme’s artwork design for this year. More information regarding this announcement and reveal will come later this summer. 

The mission of Business Professionals of America is to develop and empower student leaders to discover their passion and change the world by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth and service.

Our vision for Business Professionals of America is: To be an innovator in Career and Technical Education, providing our members with opportunities for growth through education, competition, community service and personal development.