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Number of years in Toastmasters
21
Profession
Senior director of technology operations at Harvard Business Publishing
Hometown
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Favorite International Convention memory?
Winning Second Vice President. That was unbelievable!
Best part about serving on the Toastmasters Board of Directors?
Being able to explain to our members the “why” [behind decisions]. That and having the influence to try to encourage them to get the most that they can out of the program. That's the best part for me.
Best advice you've ever received?
I wasn't sure if I was going to run for Second Vice President a second time, and there was talk that there were going to be a lot of people running for that position that year. I thought, I can't win against a field like that. But someone said, “If you think you're the best person for the job, it doesn't matter if there's one person or 100 people running for the job, you should run anyway.” I never thought of it that way. So that was very pivotal for me.
Favorite quote or inspirational message?
It's too long to share, but it's known as the man in the arena from [former U.S. President] Theodore Roosevelt. It’s a wonderful quote about going out and doing something difficult. And even if you don't get it done, you are better than the people sitting on the side, too scared to do it. You got in there and did it anyway. And I 100% agree with that.
Travel destination on your bucket list?
I've been to so many good ones! I’m hoping to go back to Japan next year. So I'm looking forward to that.
Favorite travel tip?
Get noise canceling headphones. Worth the money.
First thing you do when you return home from traveling?
Unpack. I always roll [the suitcase] in and start saying, ‘This goes to the wash, I'm hanging this up, putting this back in the drawer.’ My wife hates it! She’s like, why don't you wait? Nope.
Best place to relax?
Hard to say. Either on a boat in the sun or in the shade, or maybe in the Tuscan countryside, or California Wine Country countryside. Those are all great places to hang out.
Favorite activity with your family?
Golf. And that's only recently, like last year.
Favorite snack?
Sour Patch Kids. Love them. Large quantities of Sour Patch Kids. Second would be Sour Skittles.
Favorite places to go in Boston?
I would say the North End—very Italian heavy, very narrow streets, cobblestones in some places. Also, Beacon Hill and the Seaport District.
Favorite sport to watch?
Yes, soccer, only soccer (football for the rest of the world).
Favorite movie?
Any James Bond movie. I'm a James Bond fan. Sorry, not sorry.
Do you get stage fright before a big event speech?
Speaking in front of my club? No. Speaking at a District event? No. Speaking at the International Convention? Yes. It has just moved up as I’ve gotten better. So yes.
Recommendations for calming nerves before speaking?
Know and be passionate about your material. That will get you better than halfway there.
Thoughts on being International President?
We've had Presidents where you look back at them and think: I could never be that person. There is just no way. I'd never be that good. I don't want to be that. I want to be somebody that you could look to and say, I could do that. Because if I do, then you might work toward it as well.
21
Profession
Senior director of technology operations at Harvard Business Publishing
Hometown
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Favorite International Convention memory?
Winning Second Vice President. That was unbelievable!
Best part about serving on the Toastmasters Board of Directors?
Being able to explain to our members the “why” [behind decisions]. That and having the influence to try to encourage them to get the most that they can out of the program. That's the best part for me.
Best advice you've ever received?
I wasn't sure if I was going to run for Second Vice President a second time, and there was talk that there were going to be a lot of people running for that position that year. I thought, I can't win against a field like that. But someone said, “If you think you're the best person for the job, it doesn't matter if there's one person or 100 people running for the job, you should run anyway.” I never thought of it that way. So that was very pivotal for me.
Another piece of advice is a quote from my wife, “Nobody has to give you compliments.” That means don't second guess compliments. If they give it to you, accept it, move on. And that changed my head a lot.
Favorite quote or inspirational message?
It's too long to share, but it's known as the man in the arena from [former U.S. President] Theodore Roosevelt. It’s a wonderful quote about going out and doing something difficult. And even if you don't get it done, you are better than the people sitting on the side, too scared to do it. You got in there and did it anyway. And I 100% agree with that.
I've been to so many good ones! I’m hoping to go back to Japan next year. So I'm looking forward to that.
Favorite travel tip?
Get noise canceling headphones. Worth the money.
First thing you do when you return home from traveling?
Unpack. I always roll [the suitcase] in and start saying, ‘This goes to the wash, I'm hanging this up, putting this back in the drawer.’ My wife hates it! She’s like, why don't you wait? Nope.
Best place to relax?
Hard to say. Either on a boat in the sun or in the shade, or maybe in the Tuscan countryside, or California Wine Country countryside. Those are all great places to hang out.
Favorite activity with your family?
Golf. And that's only recently, like last year.
Favorite snack?
Sour Patch Kids. Love them. Large quantities of Sour Patch Kids. Second would be Sour Skittles.
I would say the North End—very Italian heavy, very narrow streets, cobblestones in some places. Also, Beacon Hill and the Seaport District.
Favorite sport to watch?
Yes, soccer, only soccer (football for the rest of the world).
Favorite movie?
Any James Bond movie. I'm a James Bond fan. Sorry, not sorry.
Do you get stage fright before a big event speech?
Speaking in front of my club? No. Speaking at a District event? No. Speaking at the International Convention? Yes. It has just moved up as I’ve gotten better. So yes.
Recommendations for calming nerves before speaking?
Know and be passionate about your material. That will get you better than halfway there.
Thoughts on being International President?
We've had Presidents where you look back at them and think: I could never be that person. There is just no way. I'd never be that good. I don't want to be that. I want to be somebody that you could look to and say, I could do that. Because if I do, then you might work toward it as well.
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