Category: <span>2018-2019 Staff Spotlight</span>

By Sean Graf, District Audit Chair I grew up in Binghamton, New York.  I joined Toastmasters back in 2007 originally but never attended at that club and finally came back in 2010 and joined the Roanoke Texas Toastmasters club. I am a CPA with FedEx and have been with the company for over 12 years....

By Tahseen Mohammad, Youth Leadership Chair Tahseen Mohammad is born in a small town in south India. When he was in high school, his parents migrated to a famous city Hyderabad for their children’s education. Tahseen grew up in a middle-class family. His father was a historian, archeologist and public speaker who spoke in seven...

By Greg Pick, DTM, Immediate Past District Director, District Leadership Chair, Pathways Coordinator Greg lived in his birthplace, Cincinnati, Ohio, until he graduated from college at the age of 23.  He is a member of Tau Beta Pi.  He was born December 11, 1960, and is the oldest of three sons.  He has been with...

By Bonne Stroman, DTM, Policy & Protocol Chair I am a Texan by birth and heritage. Growing up in a small South Texas town and surrounded by kinfolks, I spent many an hour listening to tales of family history and our ranching heritage. I attribute my love of storytelling to my long line of ancestors...

By Setma Maddox, DTM, Speakers Bureau Chair I have lived in almost every corner of Texas and once in the cold north of Chicago. I quit counting the number of moves after 33. My most formative years were spent in Seguin, Texas. Like most of my female classmates, I married soon after graduation and started...

Mark Novak, DTM District photographer. Born in Travis Air Force Base California.  Grew up as a military brat living in various states, Europe and Panama.  Driven by a passion for fine arts and a constant drive to learn more.   Worked in information technology for 34 years. A few more points of interest about Mark’s continued service...

By Melissa Southerland, CC, CL, District Recognition Chair I grew up in what was then, a small town called Wylie, Texas east of Plano. We even wore boots and jeans and the infamous cowboy hats. I have two siblings, Megan who is 8 years younger and Rod who is 9 years younger.  My parents are...

By Tammy Kasterke, DTM, Training Chair Would you believe I’d never heard of Toastmasters until I was in my 40s? The PepsiCo e-newsletter advertised a club meeting and gave a description of the PepsiCo Presenters Toastmasters Club.  I clearly said to myself, I need this.  I went to the meeting and became a member.  Now...

By Marcheta Gardner, DTM, Club Retention Chair Ever wonder if what you said is what others heard? Or, “did I really just say that”? Or “what did I really mean?”  I used to be in my head so much, I tried hard not to say anything… and was very successful at it! I grew up...

By Tim Fields, ACG, ALB, Club Quality Chair   I was born in Vernon, Texas.  I like to think of myself as a true Tex-Mex as I grew up between East Texas and Albuquerque, NM. In 2005 while working as a Workforce Management Coordinator for then business process operations company Client Logic located in Albuquerque...