| President: Greg PeppingGreg joined Santa Cruz Downtown Toastmasters in the Fall of
2010. Initially his interest was simply polishing his communication skills,
with the main goal of improving the presentations he often gives for work. As
the Executive Director of the Coastal Watershed Council, Greg often speaks to
local groups about how they can preserve and protect coastal watersheds. He
continues to use his TM speeches to improve how he shares that message, and
also hopes to become a more vibrant, energetic and motivating speaker on a
variety of topics. Greg strives to speak from his heart and keep his messages
simple. He's most passionate when speaking about social justice, environmental
respect, spirituality, baseball and food. |
| VP Education: Nickalaos ConradNickalaos was born in Seattle and grew up during the 90s thinking that Nirvana and Pearl Jam were the most important gifts to the world and his teenage adolescence. After that plane crashed, Nick moved to California and studied History at UC Berkeley. He then lived in San Diego, London, Los Angeles, and Seattle, looking for money from various corporations as a child might look under rocks for live animals. After returning to school to earn his MA in History at Washington State University, he transferred to UC Santa Cruz to complete his PhD studying modern European history. He specializes in the history of European secularization and likes to talk about it. Recently married, he lives with his wife and two pet rats, Chester and Delilah, in Santa Cruz and spends his time reading books and dreamily looking at redwood trees and the Pacific Ocean. |
| VP Membership: Jack Western, CTM I joined Downtown Toastmasters about 15 years ago. I vividly remember my fear as I delivered my
“Icebreaker,” the first speech given after becoming a new member. All I remember was describing a harrowing,
potentially disastrous fall from my horse in Henry Cowell Redwoods. I tumbled down a steep hillside, managing to
miss a large number of rocks and trees.
I’ve given many speeches since that first one, but it sticks in my mind
because of what might have happened.
Becoming a Toastmaster has changed the way I listen to a speech, and
made me a much better speaker. It can so
the same for you.
In my
other life I’ve been a real estate broker for 29 years and it’s been good to
me. I've made a lot of friends and
helped a lot of people. My wife Polly
and I have been married for 56 years.
We’ve been trail buddies for about 30 years and shared a lot of miles
with our horses, Danny Boy and Makana (Makie).
We’re also semi-avid skiers. Close
family ties are a big thing for us. We have
4 children, and 9 grandchildren, all living in Santa Cruz County. |
| VP Public Relations: Tom Ginsburg, CCTom keeps the computers, phones, and network humming along in his role as a Sr. Systems Technician at the Santa Cruz Regional 9-1-1 dispatch center. In past lives, Tom worked in broadcast radio, hoofed the streets of Watsonville as a letter carrier, and owned a specialty beverage business. Tom joined Toastmasters not only to get more comfortable speaking to groups, but to also lose his bashfulness in one-on-one interactions. One of Tom's goals is to use his wide vocal range to gain some voice-over work. Ultimately, he would like to become confident enough to hone his love of parody and making people laugh to do some stand-up comedy.
Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, as well as hiking, biking and skiing. |
| Treasurer: Laura Kasa
I joined Toastmasters at the request of my Board of Directors because I have the opportunity to speak many times throughout the year about Save Our Shores. I make presentations about ocean health to schools, rotary and other groups. I also create and deliver a speech every year at our Toast to the Coast fundraiser to an audience of at least 300 people. Prior to this position, I had not had much of an opportunity to do public speaking.
|
| Sergeant at Arms: Jay Mosley, CCJay Mosley joined Santa Cruz Downtown Toastmasters in 2010. He is a local General Contractor and serves as a member of the board of directors for the Scotts Valley Water District. Since joining Toastmasters Jay has experienced the benefits Toastmaster’s provide in public speaking as well as leadership skills. Jay now uses these skills in all aspects of his community and public service, as well as his business relations. |
|
Immediate Past President: Bill Fitler, DTM
Bill is a retired software engineering manager who worked on PC
and internet applications, security and infrastructure. He is a disaster
relief volunteer with the Santa Cruz Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is the webmaster and a member of the board of FAIR
(Families Adopting In Response), a Northern California adoptive
families support group. He enjoys disc golfing, bicycle touring and
brewing beer. Bill has been a member of Toastmaster clubs throughout the
Monterey Bay Area for almost two decades. |
|
|
