A self-described “geek” and introvert, JD Austin also considers himself a poster child for Toastmasters.
“I’m a different person than I was six years ago,” says Austin. “When I first joined Toastmasters in 2004, it was because of a disastrous client meeting for my new company. That meeting was a train wreck, but it was the catalyst I needed to start building my communication skills. I saw Toastmasters as the solution to my problems–and it was!”
Now, just six years later, Austin has earned his second Distinguished Toastmasters award, the highest award bestowed by Toastmasters International. The DTM award recognizes both communication and leadership skills and requires dozens of speeches and many hours of service in club and district leadership positions, among other achievements.
It has been estimated that fewer than 12,000 of the 4 million past and present Toastmasters have achieved the elite DTM status. Now, Austin has done it twice! Along the way, he picked up numerous other awards, including Accomplished Area Governor, Accomplished Division Governor and Outstanding Area R4 Toastmaster.
“Before, you couldn't pull two words out of me unless you were talking “geek.” Now I'm doing things I never dreamed of,” says Austin, founder and owner of Twin Geckos Technology Services, which specializes in phone systems as well as IT, database and programming services. Austin also works at Maricopa Community Colleges as a database administrator and, along with team members from the MCC district office, received an Innovation of the Year award this year.
“Toastmasters gave me the confidence and transferable skills to succeed in my business,” Austin continues. He not only developed his presentation skills, but he boosted his leadership, organizational and listening skills. He ticks off some of the practices that are now standard in his business dealings: always using a written agenda, following set start/end times, considering his audience as he shares information, asking careful questions to clarify and meet audience needs.
Austin has been described as “the heart and soul” of the Rio Copa Toastmasters club, an open club in Tempe, Ariz. It is a fitting description. Austin’s commitment is evident. Having served in most of the club’s officer positions, he now mentors new members and acts as the club’s communication focal point, managing the website and handling inquiries.
Equally as important to his fellow Rio Copa Toastmasters, Austin brings unlimited enthusiasm to each and every meeting. Even after giving more than 140 speeches, he still tries to move outside his comfort zone—whether it is by sharing a very personal speech that he hopes will stick with his listeners and inspire them, or by working on a presentation technique, such as adding natural gestures that might enhance his message.
Earning his second DTM award does not mean Austin has accomplished all his goals—or attended his last Toastmasters meeting. In June he started once again on the Competent Communicator manual, giving a moving and emotional Icebreaker speech entitled “Lies, Trust and Forgiveness.”
“I have nothing but good things to say about Toastmasters,” declares Austin. Knowing him, if he were to give a speech about Toastmasters, there is no doubt it would be engaging, persuasive and inspirational. |
