2021-2022 leadership

Maggie Geoghegan, DTM

A positive attitude goes a long way!  I learned that not everyone is as enthusiastic as I am about Toastmasters and that I can not push people to do more than they can handle.  Balance is important.  I am able to motivate individuals and develop a high performance team.  I learned that I do not need to know everything but should build teams with people who bring different experiences and knowledge.  Leading by example and clarifying expectations is important at the beginning of the year.

Marty Bussert, DTM

I achieved a Bachelors Degree in Communications and a Masters Degree in Finance and Accounting, I served as Chief Financial Officer for a Large German owned Manufacturing company.

In my working career I learned the benefit of collaborative management.  I led several successful teams which taught me to learn the most important lesson of my career, the synergy of the team outperforms the individual.  I will build a team to help me meet the goals of the position of Program Quality Director which in turn will nurture and train the future district leaders.

While serving as District Finance Manager, I have had the privilege of being invited to join the weekly Trio meetings.  This has gone a long way to help me understand the issues facing the district.  I feel that I have the skills and the drive to meet those goals and move the district towards becoming a Distinguished District.

Tishuan Harris-Ugworji, DTM

Tishaun joined SPBC Toastmasters in January 2016. During her tenure, she has served in the capacity of Treasurer, Secretary, Vice -President Education and currently as the club President.  She recently received the prestigious award of Distinguished Toastmaster. She has also served the District in the capacity of Logistics Manager, Dean of Leadership Institute, Area Director and Division B Director where she led the division this past year as Select Distinguished.

Deb Ferron, DTM

People have to feel motivated in a volunteer organization such as ours. As a leader I found that if I could talk to people and work with their inner motivations, greater personal growth and club commitment resulted. I also found that leaders are more respected if they are genuine and provide clear expectations and transparent information. My perception is that this is achieved through regular communication of both inspiration, metrics from the District (well done this year!) and being present in whatever role you serve.

Education and watching personal growth in members really makes my heart sing, but I realize that we can’t do that successfully without members.  I want to constantly encourage members to excel in their own personal growth and learning as well as constantly embrace new ways to elevate existing members and bring in new members.

Toastmasters has helped me find again the enjoyment of public speaking and helped me expand on that joy by sharing with others and helping others find their strengths and successes. I am excited to continue on that journey!

Martha Stevens DTM

John Jones

On the District level, I served as an Assistant to the Division C Director from July 2017- June 2018 under the leadership of Maggie Geoghegan, and as the Area 34 Director for Division C,  D:istrict 66 from July 2018-June 2019. I have conducted leadership training for Club Presidents and Vice Presidents. I gave a presentation on Mentoring during WLI training in 2018. I have attended SLI and WLI consistently every year when offered. I have attended and participated in District leadership training and other functions consistently. I visit other clubs and serve in roles when requested. Lastly, I served as a Club Coach for Lake Country Toastmasters in South Hill, Virginia.

I currently hold positions or have held leadership roles in several capacities. I am an Ordained Deacon at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Prince George, Virginia, where I serve as the Chairman of the Benevolent Committee, Assistant Chairman on the Baptism Committee, Secretary on the Diaconate Ministry, and Past President of the Senior/Youth Ushers Ministry and Sunday School Teacher. I am also a member of the Safety and Security Ministry charged with ensuring all safety measures are adhered to before, during and after worship service. I am currently serving as the President of the Ushers Union of Petersburg, Hopewell & Vicinity. This organization is comprised of 7 local churches where membership consists of church ushers that share a common goal of perfecting practices and principles of good ushering techniques, ministering to the congregants during worship service, and developing and enhancing their spiritual growth and dedication to serving God and his people.

I have over 33 years of federal government service. I retired from the Department of Criminal Justice in 2010 as a GS-11 under Executive Administration after 23 years of service. I have over 10 years of military service with an honorable discharge from active duty in December 1985. I have served in several leadership roles throughout my lifetime. Having been a leader in many capacities I believe is what has made me the person I am today. Each leadership role that I have held has prepared me for the next level. I believe that I can be an effective District leader if elected as a Division Director. I have the personality, demeanor, social skills, professional ethics, and experience that will make me an effective leader within District 66. Together, we make the Division and District better.

Jamar Skyles

Jamar Skyles, IP3, CL was introduced to
Toastmasters International in later 2017, through an invite from a fellow
teammate. As a result of that generous invitation, Jamar became fascinated with
Toastmasters and decided to join the local Toastmasters club at his place of
employment in 2018.  He began his tenure
serving in several club officer roles, including Sergeant at Arms, Vice
President of Education, Vice President Public Relations, and Club President.

In 2019 Jamar excepted the request to
become an Area Director in his Division D. Jamar through his servant leadership
led his Area to become a Select Distinguished Area. His motto was that no club
or member should be left behind. As a result of his service, District 66,
awarded him the 2019-2020 Division D, Area Director of the Year Award. He also
reached out to his local community and workplace to host a Toastmasters
Speechcraft program., thereby introducing the public to the fundamentals of
public speaking.

Outside Toastmasters, Jamar is currently
employed at Newport News Shipbuilding as an Engineer Planning Analyst with the
Waterfront Engineering Business Team and previously was a Project
Scheduler/Coordinator on the Critical Chain Project Management Execution Team.

Jamar is a native of the Norfolk-Virginia
Beach, Virginia area. He currently resides in Hampton, Virginia. He holds a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction Technology from Norfolk
State University. He also holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree in
Computer-Aided Drafting from Tidewater Community College. He is currently
pursuing an Engineering Systems and Industrial Engineering Certificate from Old
Dominion University.

Jamar continues to strive to advance his
leadership and communication skills and sees the value in Toastmasters
International organization. He served as an
assistant to the current Division D Director for the 2020-2021 year.

Jamar aims for success and desires that
everyone around him aims for success as well. He likes to motivate, see others
learn, grow and be the best versions of themselves that they can be. 

Jim Kennedy

Venus Wilmer, DTM

Since joining Toastmasters in 2007, I am less fearful and hesitant at work and in social situations. I feel like a more valuable member of any team, and I love helping others find these blessings in their lives.