Q&A with Gregg Thompson, DTM

My career as a technician/engineer in Information Technology (I/T) has lasted over 20 years at various companies. I currently work building and sustaining networks (Wi-Fi, Security Cameras, Networked Routers and Switches, PCs Laptops Monitors, IP-based phones and Printers). I not only install them, but I troubleshoot them as well. My experience working in a multicultural environment for a global company on various projects aligns with the responsibilities of an International Director. 

Being a sales director for over 10 years had plenty of instances involving strategic planning. In the interim, I learned the entire sales process which involved, prospecting, sorting, promoting, inviting, presenting, handling objections, closing, and following up. All of these require planning and a strategy. As a matter of fact, I used this sales strategy as District Director which resulted in our District receiving the District Club Strength Award in 2022. 

Working for several global technology companies has involved me with strategic planning on a regular basis. Planning a network requires strategy before implementation. When put in charge of projects, I must strategically plan, scale, and implement these projects on-time and under budget. 

As the District Director, I reviewed the monthly financial reports and provided financial oversight and assisted in approving the District Budget. My guidance at work influenced big financial decisions. For instance, we were able to save millions of dollars, by keeping work in-house, thereby improving cost and financial efficacy. 

In my term as Homeowner Association board treasurer, it included the oversight, preparation, and approval of the annual budget. As a past leader, I served on the District's Audit Committee. As President of my club, I assisted the treasurer with putting together and implementing our club budget. 

My role as the District Director of a new district, required development of policy, procedures, and guidelines to govern our new budding district. There was careful consideration of the merits of any proposed policy revisions for possible adoption within our organization.

As the former president of my homeowner association's Board of Directors, we developed, policy, procedures and guidelines that governed our homeowners as a matter of record. 

As the leader, I've learned to be more patient with myself when making decisions (respond vs react). I've learned to listen more and speak less (instead of listening to respond). I've learned that people are attracted to your environment, so be a source of inspiration. I've learned the deal isn't done until the deal is done (we must inspect what we expect). I've learned to be balanced in my approach to problem solving. As the leader, discretion plays an essential part (positive talk goes down and negative talk goes up). These lessons helped me to be a better leader.  

Before I was a Toastmaster, I was a sales director for 10 years and a tech engineer for over 20 years. Those sales skills helped me recruit 19 individuals as club president in my first term as president, and 13 individuals in my 2nd term as president. As District Director, I received the District Club Strength Award for exceptional growth in average club size, personally from the International President at our International Convention in 2022. These skills I believe to be key strengths along with my passion for Toastmasters and leadership personal development, would be a great addition to the board. 

My desire to positively impact the Toastmasters organization in a leadership role. I am excited about this position because it aligns perfectly with my experience and skill set. My passion for toastmasters, my compassion for helping people, my positive attitude and a strong work ethic is some of the things I will strive to contribute as a Board member. My job as a board member would be to help advance our organization towards our strategic goals. Serving on the Board allows me to make a difference and support a cause I care about. 

As a child, I served at our church as a junior usher. During my youth, my parents signed me up for boy scouts to learn self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills and citizenship skills. In school, i volunteered during study hall to tutor fellow students in science and reading. At work, I joined a few employee resource groups (ERGs) like Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) and Filipino-American Communication Employees (FACES) to make myself acquainted with different cultures. My place of employment is a multicultural melting pot. At home, I served in my community as the Safety and Security Committee Chair for 4 years. I also served on the Architectural Review Committee in my homeowners' association to maintain the beautification of our homes. 

I've served on my homeowner association board as president, secretary, and treasurer. My experience as president was very challenging.  Trying to bring all our homeowners together under one agenda was difficult, but I learned a lot about myself in the process. Being the secretary was a learning experience trying to keep up with all the tasks at hand. My experience being a two-term treasurer was also rewarding. I've had the opportunity to oversee the budgeting of our funds. When I saw where the money went, it helped me develop a strategy to do some cost saving. I also had the opportunity to be a part of the audit of our association's funds. I've been able to learn a lot of leadership, organizational and budgeting skills by volunteering. 

As I understand the Toastmasters objectives, we seek primarily Club Excellence, Member Achievement, Awareness and Engagement and Operational Effectiveness. I would work to achieve these objectives by following our Strategic Plan. Strive for a better member experience, I will continue to support members in achieving their goals through experiential learning, I will continue to help expand Toastmasters global awareness of their programs thru increased membership and retention and finally, I hope to create additional value through standardizing process that are already in place.