District Officer Nominee Biographies
Nominated Candidates
District Director |
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Kathy Moore, DTM
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Who am I?My good friend Jason Wold described me as sunshine wrapped in a hurricane. I thought that description was apropos. I love people and have a natural optimistic point of view but I also believe in getting things done. I never ask anyone to do anything I would not do myself. My job is to help everyone I work with be all they can be.
My VisionBring our District into modern times, especially in regards to advertising and marketing to non-Toastmasters. Building back strong Clubs and retaining quality members with a quality club experience. My job is to be the visionary and set the broad goals. Then communicate those goals to the teams working under me so they can translate the goals into action. Finally continuously monitor progress and provide feedback to district leadership for continuous improvement.
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Program Quality Director |
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Livya Mitchell, DTM
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Who am I?I have served in every club office. When asked, I served 3 times as Area Governor without credit. All three times, I was President's Distinguished Area Governor. The only time that I did not serve a club or District was the 6 months I was moving to Austin, TX. I am member of more than one District. I have an MS Holistic Nutrition Unaccredited. I am learning to lead during the pandemic.
My VisionAs Program Quality Director, I want to promote Pathways and help increase the enrollment rate. I want to continue the momentum of this present year. There is a desire to engage more members and promote the marriage between Toastmasters life and the real word application of the program. Serving the District would mean I can share my experience with Adult Learning and Training. I want to be an asset and partner in the development of our members. I want to serve my Toastmasters family in this time of uncertainty, through, consistency.
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Division F Director |
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Cheryl Ramirez, DTM
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Who am I?I have been married for 38 years. I have two daughters from my previous marriage and my husband and I have two daughters. In total I have two grandsons and five granddaughters. My home is always filled with laughter and late night antics from my youngest grandson and granddaughter as they live with us as well as their mom (daughter). To tell the truth I wouldn't have it any other way (great inspirations for speeches)! I began my insurance career in 2004 at USAA. My husband and I started the same day. We went through training and licensing together. He is on the policy service side as I transitioned to claims. I still maintain my licenses for General Lines and Adjuster. I got into Toastmasters because I felt it would help in my career and stayed because I love the friendships that have developed from it.
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My Vision
As Division Director, I believe I can inspire my Area Directors to do the very best they can. I will always be a sounding board for new ideas, accomplishments and frustrations. I feel I could offer a wealth of knowledge to those who are new, share my successes and failures and learn from those who have more experience.
Division G Director |
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Brenda Ryan
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Who am I?I am a wife, banker, dog mom, an avid traveler and a Toastmaster. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 40 years, we have three dogs and live in Universal City, Tx. We have taken over 35 cruises visiting ports in the US, Caribbean and Canada. My newest role, that of Toastmaster, has been a very satisfying journey. I joined my home club, Broadway Toastmasters at the urging of my mentor Darla Peek. This is a corporate club for my employer of 39 years. I have served as VPM and Treasurer. Being a Toastmaster is an ongoing, growing experience which I’m happy to share with others. I am currently the Area G33 Director and have learned so much in this role and feel that I’m ready to take the next step. I enjoy meeting new people and share my enthusiasm for Toastmasters.
My VisionI look forward to assembling a group of Toastmasters that share my enthusiasm with the clubs in their Area.
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I feel that we should work to make the meetings fun, entertaining with value added for the members of the clubs. Learn a little something each meeting to take with you when the meeting is over. What you learn, can never be taken away so carry on to teach someone else. District G is a very diverse area from the Hill Country to San Antonio. We can use that diversity to allow the sharing of ideas and best practices to ensure we get the best from the clubs in the District. The ability to work together is the key to success.
Division H Director |
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Darla Peek, DTM
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Who am I?My home club is Broadway Toastmasters, a corporate club. At my first meeting in May 2009, I was hooked. It was fun, terrifying and interesting -- all rolled into one. I joined in July and was immediately VPPR. Since then, I have held every office except President. My employer since April, 1992. (Yes, 29 years. I started as a temp.) Currently: Relationship Associate III in the Wealth Management Division.
Also a current member of Beyond Basics and Sunday Speakers in San Antonio. I was also a Zoom member of Highnoon in Corpus Christi -- my work schedule kept interfering with the meetings, it's an awesome club. District experience includes:
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- Area Director H44 from 07/2018 to 06/2019
- San Antonio Club Extension Chair from 07/2019 to 06/2020 (worked closely with Kathy Moore, D55 Club Growth Director.)
Degree: Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX. BS in Marketing Management 12/1998
Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) earned 04/2020.
Pathways:
- Innovative Planning Level 4
- Visionary Communication Level 1
- Effective Coaching Level 1
My Vision
uI recently heard this quote by Cheryl Strayed, if you want to improve an area in your life, it is appropriate advice: It is impossible for you to go on as you were before, do you must go on as you never have.
I love Toastmasters meetings that have a meeting agenda, where members enjoy being there, fin table topics, and you learn something interesting. I hope all clubs can experience that and be distinguished.
I love Toastmasters meetings that have a meeting agenda, where members enjoy being there, fin table topics, and you learn something interesting. I hope all clubs can experience that and be distinguished.
Division I Director |
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Harlan Blumenthal, DTM
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Who am I?I am a 15-year Toastmaster, having completed my DTM this past January. I moved to Austin from Minnesota back in 2015 and have been a member of my home club, West Austin II, since 2016. I have held every officer position, served as an Area Director, helped launch the Internal Speakers Bureau, and currently serve as the Chief News Guy for the monthly Toastmaster to Toastmaster Publication. I live in Cedar Park with my girlfriend and our two dogs and one cat. I have an open-door policy and am happy to help any fellow Toastmaster as best I can.
My VisionLike my vision when I served as Area Director, I want to see all members happy, doing what we can to meet their needs. It starts by having a dedicated team of Club officers and Area Directors. By asking our members if we are meeting their goals and objectives, we can address any concerns upfront. Too often, we
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lose members, and we don’t understand why. Individuals come to Toastmasters for a reason. If a club officer, area director, or I don’t know why we are doing that person, a huge disservice. Happy means listening and helping guide that individual toward success. Collaboration, commitment to excellence, and a genuine desire to see people happy and succeed should make for an incredible 2021-22 program year here in District 55.
Division J Director |
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Terrence Hickey
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Who am I?TBD
My VisionTBD
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Division K Director |
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Kevin Clark
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Who am I?I truly believe that Toastmasters is a great program and I am honored to be able to give a bit back to this organization. If elected I promise to do my very best in meeting the objectives of a Division Director and promoting my vision of future success.
My VisionTo help the Members, Clubs, and Areas in our Division to become the best they can.
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Division L Director |
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Nicole Johns, DTM
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Who am I? I have been a Toastmaster since February 2013; I initially joined due to my love for speaking and because I was friends with the coworkers in the first club I had ever joined.
Now, after having served in every Club Officer role except for VPPR and getting to serve as an Area Director this year, my focus has shifted to improving my leadership skills because I never saw myself as much of a leader before. I earned my DTM award under the legacy system in August 2018, and I’m ready to submit my application for my first Pathways DTM award as well; I just haven’t decided if I should do it now to be recognized at the conference this year or wait until the new year so that one of my clubs can get a DCP point from it! |
My Vision
I want to help my fellow Toastmasters to achieve their goals and make sure that they always have fun doing it!
Floor Candidates
Club Growth Director |
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Craig Sprout, DTM
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Who am I?I have been a Toastmaster since 2015, and during that time have held most every club office. I have served as Area Director and Division Director, earning Distinguished Area. I completed my DTM in July of 2020. Currently, I am a member of RAX Toastmasters, and Texas Tri-County Chamber of Commerce Toastmasters, where I also had the pleasure of being a club mentor.
My Vision2021 has the potential to be a very interesting year in terms of club growth. As we look forward, we are potentially
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going to be in a post-Covid world (more or less) and we have a great opportunity to leverage what we have learned in a virtual world. For my theme next year, I want us to think about "Evolution." We can consider a hybrid approach to building clubs and membership -- combining virtual and in-person presences. I think we have the potential to serve potential members in areas that may not have enough momentum to build a full club. My guiding principle in Toastmasters leadership roles is: "Is this what's right for our members? "
*Eligible floor candidates shall declare their intent to run in writing to the DLC Chair at dlcd55@tmd55.org after the DLC report has been published and at least one (1) week prior to the annual District Council meeting.