TXU Energy Executives Go for the Golden Toaster in Speaker Showdown

TXU Energy’s Toastmasters Club, The Electric Toasters, hosted their very first “Executive Speaker Showdown” last month. The Toasters’ officer team invited TXU Energy’s Vice President and General Counsel Cecily Gooch and TXU Energy’s Chief Marketing Officer Michael Grasso to put their speaking skills to the test in a Prepared Speakers competition during a recent Electric Toasters meeting. The two squared off for the prize – the illustrious Golden Toaster – while members of the Electric Toasters looked on.

Taking the podium first was Gooch, who focused her speech on the importance of corporate involvement in community service, followed by Grasso with his speech “hacemos” (“we do”) in the context of leadership. He noted that leadership starts by taking the first step outside of the norm.

Electric Toasters officers

After their speeches were critiqued by Electric Toasters evaluators Kristi Navarro and Mechelle Davidson and voted on by attendees, the Golden Toaster ultimately went to Grasso by a very close margin. At the end of the day, the Electric Toasters’ Executive Speaker Showdown not only served as a means of bringing in visitors and variety to their club meetings, but it was also a display of executive support behind the cause of improving employees’ communication and leadership skills.

Andrew Moultrie
Electric Toasters Club #2194281