Page 8 - October 2019

COVER STORY

ago. It’s my time to give back.” he went back to school and earned a Bachelor’s

Anyone who has attended TLI or a District of Science in business and management from
7 conference may already know PJ by sight: For Marylhurst University.
years he’s managed the registration database for He joined Toastmasters after a company
these events, making sure all who signed up have reorganization left him missing the interaction

name tags that are spelled correctly and shows and classroom atmosphere he had enjoyed when
their correct home club. Details matter to him: presenting seminars, breakout sessions and sales
“We have to put on a quality program, and that trainings. His desk job didn’t provide the same
includes attention to detail.” He greets everyone boost; in fact, he says, “It bored the heck out of

at the check-in station with a smile because “you me.” In 2001 he saw a flyer for Silicon Forest
don’t want a Grumpy Gus there at 6 a.m.” Toastmasters, which met at Tektronix, and
As PQD, he is responsible for all aspects of discovered the club experience. One meeting and
education and training within the District. This he was hooked: “There was no looking back.” In

includes supporting quality club programming rapid order he started serving as club treasurer,
efforts, promoting the Distinguished Club then president, and he’s held leadership roles in
Program, and planning, organizing and Toastmasters ever since.
executing the District annual conference. He’s In 2004 he founded Babble-On Toastmasters

also responsible for promoting and supporting at his church, with an eye toward better serving
club quality and member retention. his LGBTQ community. The club, which meets
The job seems custom-made for someone Sundays at 4 p.m. at Evergreen Community
with a passion for training. PJ spent nearly 30 Church in N.E. Portland, prides itself on

years at Tektronix, one of Oregon’s first high- attracting a highly diverse membership. PJ says
tech success stories, and served more than four Babble-On Toastmasters has been honored
years as a corporate trainer in addition to his as a President’s Distinguished club every year
sales and marketing roles. except for its first. Club Growth Director Eldred

“I really get a kick out of seeing people learn,” Brown, the third District Trio member, is also
he says, and his blue eyes light up as he warms to a Babble-On member, adding another honor to
the subject. “I like to think I am not boring. As a that club’s impressive achievements.
trainer I vowed I’d make my classes interesting.” Even after many years in Toastmasters, PJ

Education and technology played a big role says the highlight of his experience is attending
in his life. He studied electronics at Portland’s club meetings. Sure, the District conferences and
Benson Polytechnic High School, then joined the speech contests have their appeal, but he loves
U.S. Coast Guard and became an E-5 radioman the regular weekly gathering. He notes, “I rarely

communicating via Morse code. After military miss a meeting. I love hearing people’s speeches,
service he began an Associate’s Degree program especially Icebreakers.”
in electronics while working at Tektronix. As His high-tech career turned him into a world
his career shifted toward the commercial side, traveler. The only continent he’s not stepped

8 ONE COMMUNITY