Grace Ellis, ATM-B

Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in June 1988 to overcome fear of speaking in public and to learn how to deliver an effective speech.; Received Advance Toastmaster Bronze (ATM-B) designation; Served as Club President 2001-2002; 1st Place 2003 Table Topic Dist 57 Div B Area 7 Contest; Served as Div B Judge; Served as Seargent at Arms, as a judge in Grade School Toastmaster Contests, and as a Mentor to other Toastmasters; Served as Club President (Jan-Jun 2005); 2004 Awards Celebration Facilities Committee Chair; Voted Club's Best Last-Minute Volunteer of 2004 Voted Favorite Table Topics Speaker of 2006 Personal Profile: Born in Cleveland, Ohio the oldest of 3 children...moved to California in 1949 and Concord in 1952 Attended 2 years at the University of Minnesota. Married in 1945, raised 4 children, have 9 grandchildren, and 1 great-grand daughter. I am a Multi-engine instrument rated pilot. I helped build an experimental aircraft called the Vari-eze. Personal and Career goals: To serve the Community Hobbies/Interests: I am interested in everything, particularly Organic Gardening. Elected Director of Mt. Diablo Health Care District in 1988 and have been Chairman for the last 6 years. Retired self-employed Interior Designer for 40 years. Elected to the board of the Association of California Health Care Districts in 2005

Ken Smith, DTMx2

Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in March 1997; Has served the club in all seven club offices, since then; Has served as a judge in Area, Division and District speech, table topics and evaluation contests; Has served as a judge in numerous community speech contests, including Grade School, High School, Optomists International, Lion's Club & home-school debate contests; Has been a "target speaker" for other club speech contests; Has served as Toastmaster for District speech contests; Club President 1998-99; Speechcraft Coordinator 1999; Division B Chief Judge 1999-2000; "President's Distinguished" Division B Governor 2000-01, helping all areas within Division B achieve "Distinguished Area" or better; 2nd Place Area B-7 Humorous Speech contest 2001; Mentored Speaker's Forum Club 2001; Received Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) recognition October 2001; Co-Chaired Spring 2002 District Contest with wife, Arlinda; Received 2nd Advanced Toastmaster Bronze (ATM-B) designation September 2003; Sponsored Dow Chemical "Speechmasters" club in 2004; District 57 Club Extension Chair 2004; 2nd Place Area B-21 International Speech contest 2004; Received 2nd Advanced Toastmaster Silver (ATM-S) designation August 2004; 2004 Awards Celebration Invitations Committee Chair; Voted Club's Best Mentor of 2004; Area B6 Governor July 2005 -- June 2006; Toastmaster Leadership Club Organizer March 2006; Received 2nd Advanced Toastmaster Gold (ATM-G) designation April 2006; District 57 Parliamentarian July 2006 -- June 2007; Founded Toastmaster Leadership Club in May 2006; Received Leadership Excellence (LDREXC) award June, 2006; Received 3rd Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation in June, 2006; Received 2nd Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) recognition August 2006; Named "Area Governor of the Year" for 2005-2006; 2nd Place Area B-27 Humorous Speech contest 2006; Received the club's Executive Committee Award for 2006 Served as District Parliamentarian for the 2006-2007 Toastmaster year Received FOUR District Outstanding Member Achievement awards in 2006-2007 Toastmaster year; Currently serving as Club Treasurer Personal Profile: Born in Berkeley, California, raised in Pleasant Hill; Second of six children (M,M,M,M,F,F); Father of two children (son Michael, age 32, daughter Kimberly, age 20); Early Employment included auto mechanic, glass replacement (home and auto), nursery sales, contract painting, most forms of construction, in-home sales, business-to-business sales and multilevel marketing; Executive Vice President of the California Alcohol Fuel Producers Association 1979-1980; Founder and Publisher of MLM News Magazine from 1981-1988; Business Broker -- 1991-present; Served on the Advisory Council for San Joaquin Salvation Army's Men's Adult Rehabilitation Center 1992-1995; Was treasurer and trustee of Unity Church in Stockton, where he met and married his wife, Arlinda; Successfully tutored adults who had never previously been able to read from illiteracy to literacy; Enjoys skiing, coin collecting, travel and politics; Resides with wife, Arlinda (the good looking one in the picture at left), in Martinez CA; "I joined Toastmasters because I believe communication is the most important skill we have, and Toastmasters allows me to constantly improve my own." Inspiration and Organizer behind District 57's new Toastmaster Leadership Club

Joe Silva, DTM

Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in June 2002; I joined Toastmasters because: I wanted to improve my communications skills and become a more effective speaker; Received Advanced Toastmaster Silver (ATM-S) designation August 2003; District 57, Division B Chief Judge 2003-2004; Received Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation in December 2004; 2004 Awards Celebration Program Committee member; Club Mentor Program Chair Area B7 Governor July 2005 -- June 2006 Received club's Mentor Award for 2006 Personal Profile: Occupation: Retired: Born in a cab in front of Kaiser in Oakland Special achievements: West Contra Costa County Realtor Associate of the year 1980. Personal and Career goals: To spearhead a new vision for Public Education. Hobbies/Interests: Education, Speaking, Tutoring, Mentoring, Pocket Billiards, Golf. Work experience: Realtor, Operations Manager for Wholesale Mortgage Company, Warehouseman, Aviation Electronics Technician Educational background: Continuous education at Community College since 1959 and Seminars, Workshops on various subjects. Family: Divorced; one son aged 41 "Let's get out there and Speak!"

Lee Woods, DTM

Toastmasters: Received Advanced Toastmaster Gold (ATM-G) designation February, 2004 Received Leadership Excellence (LDREXC) award March, 2005 Received Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation March, 2005 2004 Awards Celebration Chair Voted Club’s Best Officer of 2004 Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in July, 2002 She rejoined Toastmasters to learn how to enhance the talents she was given, to share with other like minded people, to learn new things from other people, to meet often with others and to improve her leadership skills. She served as the club's Vice President of Public Relations in 2005-2006, where she was editor of the club e-newsletter She served as club Secretary in 2006-2007 Youth Leadership Program Chair July 2005 -- June 6006; Youth Leadership Program Chair July 2006 -- June 6007; Currently serving as Club Secretary; Personal Profile: Minnesota, original home state -- land of 10,000 lakes -- now makes her home in California -- land of the golden sun. Former City of Concord Human Relations Commissioner Retired, former employment in real estate, Mt. Diablo School District and professional musician. Advocation and Hobbies: Currently pianist in 2 churches, community activist, physical fitness (walking and water activities), love and understanding of animals, reading, outdoors, organizing events, working crossword puzzles in ink, eternal student.

Kanda Alahan, ACB/CL

Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in March 2003; Joined Toastmasters following in Dad's footsteps (a member since 1957), to improve speaking skills and develop self-confidence in the public arena; Received Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation in August 2004; 2004 Awards Celebration Awards Committee member; Club Vice President of Education July 2005 -- June 2006; Served as Club President 2006-2007; Personal Profile: Born in Boston, first of 2 brothers, son of a Marine officer and Norwegian mother Childhood in Massacusetts, Virginia, Norway, Hawaii and California Attended USC, University of Vienna, graduate of Sonoma State 1972, B.A. Anthropology Married 31 years, three sons 30, 27 and 16 Now in 30th year running "Rivendell Woodcrafts Fine Cabinetry" A 12 year resident of Concord Enjoys study of history, geography, current events, as well as travel, woodworking and home beer brewing

Mary Beth Deans, CTM

Toastmasters: Joined Strait Talkers Toastmasters in January, 2004; transferred to Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in June 2004. Received her Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation in January, 2005. 2004 Awards Celebration Awards Committee member. Voted Club's Best Table Topic Master of 2004. Winner of club Humorous Speech Competition, August 2005. Toastmaster for Area B6 Humorous Speech and Evaluation Competition, September 2005. Chaired 2005 Awards Dinner Committee. Received Club's Favorite Table Topics award for 2005 Received Advanced Toastmaster Bronze (ATMB) May 2006 Served as Club Secretary July 2005 -- June 2006. Served as Vice President of Education 2005-2006. Won club's Favoriate Evaluator award for 2006. Currently serving as club Secretary Personal Profile: Principal and founder of Douglas Partners, a professional training and coaching organization providing customized resume writing services and career transition advice to professionals seeking new jobs, new careers, or new challenges. Studied tai qi and qi kung for more than 10 years; taught tai chi for 7 years. Lives with three dogs, an unruly back yard, and lots of books.

Michael Elliott, CTM

Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in September 2004 to meet interesting people and have fun!; 2004, 2005 Awards Celebration Program Committee member; Served as Club Sergeant at Arms Received Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation in January 2006; Voted his Club’s "Favorite Speaker of 2005" Voted ‘Alternate’ in District 57, Div. B, Area 6, 2006 International Speech Contest Received Club's Favorite Speaker award for 2005 Won club's Step-Up award for 2006 Currently serving as Club Sergeant at Arms Personal Profile: Born in Danville Il. the eldest of two children. B.S. in Chemistry St Joseph's College, Rensselaer, Indiana 1962. Married 44 years and counting. Three children, two grand children. 25 yrs in the pharmaceutical/ medical products industry. Business took our family to Puerto Rico, North and South Carolina, Maryland, Australia and California. 16 years as a school bus driver and driver instructor. Retired August 2004. Currently doing volunteer work at the Contra Costa County Historical Society and the Contra Costa Superior Court Lives in Martinez, Ca Play in two Bluegrass, Old Time Music bands.

Mike McGarvey, ACB

Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in October 2004; I joined toastmasters to learn better speaking skills and to learn how to speak without saying "ah" so often. I very much enjoy being with the wonderful people in our club; 2004 Awards Celebration Invitations Committee member; Currently serving as club Sergeant At Arms Received Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation in January 2006; Received Club's Most Improved Speaker award for 2005 Received Club's Step-up award for 2005 Served as Club Sergeant at Arms July 2005 -- June 2006 Served as club Vice President of Public Relations 2006-2007 Currently serving as club President Personal Profile: I was born on 9-11-44 in Martinez,CA ands moved all the way to Concord in 1946. I've lived in the same ZIP code since then with time out for military service (Army stationed in South Korea and West Germany). I spent 35 years working on the Southern Pacific/Union Pacific railroad and recently retired.

Edi Nelson, CTM

Edi receiving her CTM Certificate from Club President Orval Mosby (Jan 17, 2006)

Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in November 2004; Chose Toastmasters to learn better communication skills, become conscious of unconscious speech patterns, and develop better practices for running meetings 2004 Awards Celebration Facilities Committee member Served as a judge in Optimists International 2005 high school debate contest Team member in creating prize winning basket for raffle at District Conference Served a Chairperson of Food Committee for Toastmasters picnic Served as Treasurer from 7/1/05 to 12/31/05 Received Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation in January 2006; Currently serving as club's Vice President of Eduction Personal Profile: Born in Alma, Michigan with one younger brother, Roger. Lived in Massachusetts, Florida, New York, New Mexico and California (for 30 years) and Bay Area for 7 years. Widowed and divorced. Mother of four children, Kimberly, Charles, Kat and Taun. Grandmother of three, Jessica, Miles and Alexis. Moved from San Diego, where Charles and Kat live, to Northern California to be close to Taun, Miles and Alexis. Early Work: Worked in accounting. In the field of mental health, worked with the developmentally disabled and with psychiatric patients in inpatient and outpatient settings. Community organizer for the City of Buffalo, N.Y. Employment: In San Diego, Deputy Director of Finance and Human Resources for the Neighborhood Housing Services, Chief Financial Officer for East County Community Clinics, Business Manager for Price Pottenger Nutrition Foundation. In Bay Area, Interim CFO for Napa County Council for Economic Opportunity, Project Consultant for RHI Management Resources and Kaiser Permanente, Market Center Administrator for Keller Williams in Danville, currently Accounting Manager for Credit Line Financial. Entrepreneur: Growth Workshops, Healing with Sound, Independent Business and Management Consultant, partner in Handcrafted Jewelry Business, Served as Business Manager and then Board of Trustees at Unity Center of Walnut Creek. Served as first lay member of Ministry Teams of the Association of Unity Churches. Education and training: Mediation & Conflict Resolution - UC Berkeley, Certified EEOC Investigator, Daytona Beach College (Pilot program of NIMH)- Mental Health Technology, Conflict Resolution Training - Center for International Dialogue. Reiki Master. Student of Trika Yoga Meditation Practice and of life. Enjoys: Family, friends, books, writing, travel, and good food and wine.

Sarah Cole, CTM

Sarah receiving her CTM Certificate from Club President Orval Mosby (Jan 17, 2006)

Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in November 2004; 2004 Awards Celebration Program Committee member; VP Membership FY 2006 Received Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation in January 2006; Received Club's Executive award for 2005 Received Competent Leader (CL) designation in May 2006 Served as club's Vice President of Membership July 2005 -- June 2006 Currently serving as club's Vice President of Public Relations Personal Profile: Born in Walnut Creek, CA Graduated Sonoma State University, B.A. in Psychology 1999 Safety Manager, Webcor Builders Enjoy running and snowboarding Joined Toastmasters to improve my public speaking skills, and it is working!

Hope Ford, CTM

Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in January 2005; Joining TM was one of the smartest things I've done lately. I enjoy it immensely. Received Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation in June 2006. Served as club's Vice President of Public Relations 2005-2006. Co-chaired the club's 2006 Annual Awards Dinner in March, 2007 Currently serving as club's Mentor Chair Personal Profile: I Currently reside in Pleasant Hill I am from Boston by way of Miami and So.Cal.. After raising my three sons (really), in So Cal, I was bored. I came to Walnut Creek In 1991 to help open a new office for the company I worked for in San Fernando Valley. Life here agrees with me. The climate gives me a sense of seasons, I'm close to my 2yr old grandson and his parents, Benjamin, Scott & Khat, respectively. They live in Modesto. My oldest son Mark & his wife Amy have 3 exceptional children Erin 16, Danielle 14 and Adam who will be 9 in Oct. Jeff is my youngest. He has Sherry. They have no children. I love Music, dancing, arobic exercise, walking, movies and reading. My favorite book is Mitchners' The Source. My favorite composer, Chopin. My favorite color is yellow. I prefer lemon to chocolate., Baseball to football. My sense of humor is my saving grace. My favorite room is a room full of people. I am currently working P/T as the afternoon receptionist @ Keller Williams Realty in Danville.

Joy Rynearson, CC

Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in October 2005; Sponsors: Joe Silva and Sarah Cole I want to learn to think clearly while I'm speaking, to be a fluid speaker and not say "um". I joined Toastmasters because of the supportive members. Speaking has always been a weak area for me. I'd like to make it a strength. The club can help me by being loving and kind in their criticisms of my sopeaking abilities. I'd like to improve my abilities to: Put ideas across clearly and understandably, Think quickly and clearly under pressure, and Listen effectively and critically Received club's Favorite Speaker award for 2006 Personal Profile: Occupation and Employer: I'm a Stay-at-Home Mom Interests: swimming, biking, walking, Raising Guide Dogs for the blind (one raised so far), spiritualism, scrapbooking Personal and Career Goals: To be happy and to be one with God. Work Experience: Last job (before being a stay-at-home mom since 1988) was City Hall of Pleasant Hill -- I did the payroll for the city for three years. Education: Indiana University - Bloomington IN (1975-1977); DVC - Pleasant Hill 1984 -- AA Degree Family: Husband Carlos Melone - married 26 years Daughter Angela - age 17 1/2 years Son Alex - age 15 years Two older sisters

Ted Duong
	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in June 2006; Received club's Most Improved Speaker award for 2006 Personal Profile:

Marilyn Ashlin
	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in October 2006; Currently serving as club's Vice President of Membership Personal Profile:

Margaret Schreiber
	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in November 2006; Co-chaired the club's 2006 Annual Awards Dinner in March, 2007 Personal Profile:

Phil Garrett
	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in February 2007; Personal Profile:

Olga Guin
Photo Not Available	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in February 2007; Personal Profile:

Sharon Rhodes
	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in March 2007; Personal Profile:

Jackie McClory
	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in March 2007; Personal Profile:

Joel Henderson
	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in April 2007; Personal Profile:

Robert Barrett
	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in May 2007; Personal Profile:

Phoebe Cheng
Photo Not Available	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in May 2007; Personal Profile: Live in Concord B.S. in Civil Engineering from UC Berkeley M.S. in Civil Engineering from MIT Structure Project Engineer at HDR, Inc. Enjoys: family, books, music, plants, stars, and fresh air.

Stephen Ojena
Photo Not Available	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in May 2007; Personal Profile:

Ansh Banerjee
	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in May 2007; Personal Profile:

Jim Morphy
	Toastmasters: Joined Concord Breakfast Toastmasters in June 2007; Personal Profile: