Currently Active Members

New member, welcome Aaron.

Prior to my current role as a financial advisor, I was a regional vice-president for 10 year for multiple asset management firms. My role included many public speaking opportunities. When I left that side of the business I wanted to further cultivate my speaking skills, and Toastmaster's was just the place.

Paul is a Semi-Retired, Part-time Real Estate Developer. Paul's career goals are to honor and worship his wife, Debbie and to unconditionally support and love their three sons.
Now that Paul is semi-retired he would like to give back to the community performing volunteer services for business associates and friends.
Paul has been in Toastmasters for many decades! During those years he has served in each officer position at DRTM. He has won several speech contests too! Ask him which ones.
When Paul is relaxing he enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, scuba diving and developing real estate.
When asked what he enjoys most about DRTM he replied, “The great motivational and educational speeches.

I joined DRTM in 1994. Prior to this time, I considered myself a shy geek electrical engineer. I knew I needed to burst out of my office cubical and Dilbert personality image.

A colleague indicated I join a public speaking club called Toastmasters. That made perfect sense given I did want to rid myself of this cloud of shyness hanging over me.

I attended the DRTM meeting and was so inspired by the support and energy at 6:30am that I joined that day. 2 years later, I completed my 10 speeches and achieved CTM.

A job opportunity involving teaching computer engineering world wide appeared. Without hesitation, I left my familiar cubical environment and took on this career change traveling the world giving lectures to groups of up to 200 people.I had to leave DRTM due to the demanding travel schedule. I did leave the club with a sense of self-confidence both in speaking ability and personality.

I attribute this metamorphosis to Dobson Ranch Toastmasters and the supportive environment of its members. It is a club that not only improves ones public speaking abilities, but also, ones character, personality and self-esteem.

With the economic downturn, my travel schedule reduced and hence was able to rejoin DRTM in 2009. I figured there is a lot more growth speaking-wise and in character yet to be experienced

Thank you DRTM.

Darline was introduced to DRTM by Cristi McMurdie and is being mentored by Steve Gottry. Darline owns and operates Cartridge World. She generously donates the speaker evaluation sheets we use each week. Thanks Darline!
Darline has entertained us with stories of her youth in California and her famous friends. We are looking forward to her next speech!

Looking to improve my presentation skills

Jaime is the Director of two small local nonprofits. This position requires her to speak to individuals and groups of all ages. Toastmasters has helped her to do so competently and confidently. The support and quality of the membership has also given her the confidence to pursue new interests. Toastmasters truly does develop not only great speakers, but leaders.

Todd is working on his Competant Communicator manual and has currently completed eight speech projects.

Toastmasters is like going to the gym for your communication muscle...you can always hone it and get better. I have been very fortunate to have the experience of speaking to groups both nationally and internationally. I have found nothing better than TM to help me to constantly grow and improve.

Now that Bev has retired, she and Leo have plenty of time for their hobbies. Those include reading and hiking. The Grandkids keep them both busy too!

When asked what Bev likes the most about DRTM she replied: “The members. They are interesting and helpful. I always learn something every time I attend and I am always entertained!”

New Member

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I am looking to increase both my leadership and speaking skills. Most of what I do is very specific to work and church so I wanted to join Toastmasters to broaden my scope and receive objective feedback. I have dedicated my life to leadership and I just feel like being apart of Toastmasters will be a great next step.

Audrey has burst onto the Toastmaster Scene with a 3rd Place Finish in the Humorous Speech Contest at the Division Level. Currently, Audrey is Vice President of Education.

I am interested in becoming a better speaker.

Terry has been a Toastmaster since 1986. His original sponsor was Peggy Chana. Terry has two mentors, Jody Kay Petra and Nancy Starr-Cassidy.
Terry originally joined the Scripps Memorial Hospital Club in District 5 (San Diego) where he served as Education VP, Treasurer, and President. He was also the District 5 Area 7 Governor for 1988-89.
In 1991 Terry relocated to Phoenix and spent ten years as a POT with Tempe Toastmasters. He moved to Dobson Ranch Toastmasters in January of 2002 and was elected President in January of 2003, helping to return the club to its historic 10 of 10 DCP goals status. He chaired the Friday Fun Night activities at the Fall Conference in 2003, was Outstanding Area G-3 Toastmaster of the Year for 2004 and was then elected Gila Division Governor for 2004-2005.
Terry is a member of Dobson Ranch and Epicurean Toastmasters. He received his second DTM Award on October 20, 2006. When asked what his goals are he replied "perhaps another DTM in the next few years."
Terry owns JurDoc, LLC providing legal research, documentation and mediation services. Terry is a former attorney from California. He enjoys home improvement projects, swimming, hiking, travel, tortoises and drinking wine with friends. Terry is also a 4-time finisher of the "Ironman" Triathlon (3 times in Canada and once in Hawaii).

Dorothy brings a unique energy to the club.

Brian has set his career goals at the top. He would like to dominate the world. Good Luck Brian!

Brian's communication and leadership goals are to become a professional speaker.

When Brian is not conquering the world he spends his time climbing rocks, hiking, boxing and then, the calming yoga. What a full day!

Brian is one of our newest members, however, he is not new to Toastmasters. So far he enjoys the camaraderie and the sense of humor that DRTM demonstrates.

Welcome Brian!

Martha is a valued new member of the club. Welcome Martha!

Cristi utilizes her Toastmaster skills daily as an attorney, mediator and personal/business coach. Cristi has achieved the speaking awards of Advanced Communicator Bronze, Competent Communicator and the Competent Leadership. Her next goal is the AC Silver. When Cristi is not working she enjoys music, yoga, working out, health, self improvement, movies and the arts, traveling and wealth expansion. Cristi loves being a member of this prestigious club and believes it to be the best in all of Arizona.

Jeff is an Account Executive at Rent Media Solutions. He is being mentored in DRTM by Bevelry Eich.

Jeff uses his speaking skills daily in his profession. He strives to provide his clients with the utmost professionalism and great value.

Jeff would like to become competent at communicating ideas and messages clearly, effectively and powerfully! He is well on his way to accomplishing his goals! Jeff has obtained his CC. Congratulations Jeff!

He enjoys spending time with his wife Susie, and awesome children, Jessica, Sara and Jack. Jeff also continues to work on his own personal development.

“It is the most amazing thing to be challenged every Thursday. Quite often I leave the meeting with endorphins feeling great for the day ahead, but the people in DRTM’s are all totally awesome!”

New Member

Tom joined Dobson Ranch Toastmasters in December of 2008. He initially joined because he saw this as a way to improve his public speaking skills, but has found the personal involvement with fellow Club members to be the reason to keep coming back.

Tom is married and has three children. His hobbies include golf, scuba diving, fishing, skiing and hiking.

He is the Global Executive for Electronics Industry Sales for the IBM Software Group. One of the cool things about this position is the opportunity to travel the world!

He sees his life as a "skydive...ya gotta be willing to jump to have the experience!" His goal is to wake-up every day with a sense of gratitude for the blessings in his life and a spirit of enthusiasm for what lies ahead!

When asked who sponsored Paul he replied: "The Catholic Church and my mentor is Ralph Smedley."

Paul often times, finds himself speechless during the day. Not for lack of words but because he is praying for world peace! (Perhaps he and Brian should chat!)

His goals are to communicate effectively and to lead his troops to success!

Paul is an accomplished speaker. He has obtained his DTM and represented DRTM at the District 3 Humorous Speech Contest where he finished as the runner-up. Congratulations Paul!

When Paul has spare time from his work and church duties he likes to read…property listings! (He likes the easy reading material!) He dines on pasta and reminds himself constantly when exercising that he has lost the "eye of the tiger" and that “Stupid is, as Stupid does!”

New Member

New Member

New Member

Carol currently serves DRTM as our VP of Education. She has done a great job of providing a current list on our website where we can track our goals. Thanks Carol! Prior to serving as VP of Education, Carol was our Secretary.
Carol’s career goals include becoming an advertising coach and motivational speaker while continuing to improve her speaking skills.
While in DRTM Carol has won the Richard Wolkis Award and Best Speaker Award.
Carol loves the energy and enthusiasm she receives every Thursday morning from DRTM!

I joined Grand Valley State University Toastmasters (Allendale, Michigan) in 1998. I was referred to the GVSU Toastmasters club by my wife who achieved two CTM's. I was awarded my CTM (now CC) in 1998. I moved to Arizona in 2006 and joined Dobson Ranch Toastmasters in 2007. I earned my AC-Bronze in 2009.

I would suggest to my fellow Toastmasters that you should not take time off from Toastmasters. You will lose a considerable amount of your public speaking skills if you do. If your job does not allow you to participate in Toastmasters at a particular time of day, find another club. There are hundreds of them in the Valley.

Dobson Ranch Toastmasters has been a terrific club for me. DRTM is extremely challenging and rewarding at the same time. I do not want to belong to a club where I win the 'Best Speaker' award after every speech. Dobson Ranch Toastmasters challenges you to become the best speaker you can be because you will find yourself competing against some of the best speakers in the State of Arizona.

New Member

The first time I realized just exactly what a "DTM" is, I clearly remember telling myself, "Oh, I'll never be that."

Having received two Distinguished Toastmaster awards since then, and learning so much from serving outside the home environment at the club level, I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to not only watch other people develop leadership and communication skills, but also see myself grow in previously unimaginable ways.

Toastmasters is more than a wonderful program to help build confidence communicating with your employer, or speaking to a crowd on behalf of your company. It changes a person so that he becomes what he was born to be. The education learned just from attending meetings on a regular basis is absolutely priceless. It is as valuable as the price tag and time investment of the highest educational degree any university has to offer, and is only an amazingly low $27 due in April and again in October.

For your few dollars plus a one time only membership fee of $20, you receive all the books you need to carry you through your journey's first two educational achievements: The Competent Communicator award and The Competent Leader award. By the time you have earned these awards, you already notice positive changes in yourself and are ready for a whole new world ahead.

Free of charge, you then receive two more manuals to get you through The Advanced Communicator Bronze award.

Take a chance. Invest in yourself. We invest in other people and other things all the time, and it is all at risk. Invest in yourself, and see how much it pays off to your advantage! Find out for yourself what Toastmasters is all about today.

Thanks for helping as Sergeant-At-Arms

I have the mind of a warrior, the heart of a poet, and the will of an Irishman. Well two out of three isn't bad!

I have a strong sense of humor and love a good joke.

I've learned infinitely more from my perceived enemies than I ever learned from my friends.

I'm fiercely loyal. I'm always up for a challenge or a good chess game.

That about sums it up for me.