JD Austin ended his term as the R2 Area Governor and began his term as Rio Division Governor on July 1, 2007.

In April and May JD campaigned for the Rio Division Governor position and was elected on May 19th.  His campaign slogan was: 

Share the LOVE!
Live the Promise!
Support the Mission!
I DO!

As the Rio Division Governor he will be the servant leader for five areas which each have an Area Governor (Rio Copa is in R4) with a total of 27 clubs and about 500 members. 

The mission/purpose of the Division Governor is to achieve the mission of the district within the division, accomplishing district goals in membership building and retention, club extension, and educational accomplishments. Ensure that each club realizes its mission and fulfills its responsibilities to its members.  Responsible for achieving Distinguished Division Program goals and for ensuring that areas and clubs within the division achieve Distinguished status. Serves the division clubs by providing district support and resources through the area governors.

  On July 11, 2007 JD was the first Rio Copa Toastmaster to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Award and the first Toastmaster in District 3 to achieve the DTM award in the 2007-2008 Toastmasters year..  

The Distinguished Toastmaster award is the highest award that Toastmasters bestows and it recognizes both communication and leadership skills. To be eligible or the award a member must have: