Gary Schmidt, DTM
Second Vice President, Toastmasters International

Mr. Schmidt is a Field Representative for United States Senator Gordon Smith. Prior to joining Senator Smith’s staff, Gary worked as a Field Office Manager for United States Senator Mark Hatfield and as a speechwriter and associate with Mark Hatfield and Associates.

Gary currently serves as Second Vice President for Toastmasters International. He has been a Toastmaster for 13 years and is a member of two clubs in District 7. He is a life-long Oregonian and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from Lewis and Clark College.

Daniel Rex
Deputy Executive Director, Toastmasters International

Daniel Rex has dual roles at Toastmasters International Headquarters as Deputy Executive Director and Director of Communications and Marketing with his primary focus being to create organizational growth and the support structure to keep Toastmasters International going and growing around the world. In these roles he is responsible for branding and marketing new products, development, product delivery systems, distribution, technology, and communications.

When his mind isn't occupied by that he's an avid reader of history, enjoys adrenaline sports with his family and finds quiet escapes from reality riding his motorcycle.

The Honorable Philip D. Moeller

Keynote Speaker for Friday, June 13, 2008

Region 1 Toastmasters welcomes back one of its successes, now known as The Honorable Philip D. Moeller.

Phil joined Toastmasters in 1990 at the urging of his dad, Don Moeller (1982-83 Distinguished District 9 Governor). Finding his own niche in the Toastmasters leadership track, Phil led District 32 to Distinguished District status as the 1995-96 District Governor. At the time, he was Staff Coordinator for the Washington State Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, where he was responsible for a wide range of policy areas that included energy, telecommunications, conservation, water, and nuclear waste.

From 1997 through 2000, Phil served as an energy policy advisor to U.S. Senator Slade Gorton (R-Washington) where he worked on electricity policy, electric system reliability, hydropower, energy efficiency, nuclear waste, energy and water appropriations and other energy legislation. Prior to his current position, he headed the Washington, D.C. office of Alliant Energy Corporation. He also worked in the Washington office of Calpine Corporation.

Now a Commissioner for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Phil was nominated by President Bush and sworn into office on July 24, 2006, by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts.

Phil is still a Toastmaster, but in "the other Washington" as a member of U.S. Senate Club 473-36. Through the years, Toastmasters has continued to influence what he does in life. Phil's message to us is how we need to confront the "comfort zone" to advance in Toastmasters and in life.

Michael Bortolotto

Keynote Speaker for Saturday, June 14, 2008

Michael Bortolotto’s courage isn’t limited to a single event in his life; it is his life. He was born with Cerebral Palsy which has caused him struggles and challenges over his life. Humor has always played an enormous part in Michael’s life and achievements and he uses it liberally.

Although successful at school, launching himself into the working world with a newly earned diploma in 1987 proved to be a monumental task. Though educated and with much to offer, socially he was still considered disabled and unemployable. So in 1994, Michael decided to hire himself by starting his own company as a recreation consultant and was offered a chance to speak publicly on the challenges of being disabled. It was the “Ah Ha” moment in Michael’s life.

Michael tells people about overcoming challenges, both small and large, such as learning to tie your own shoes, and riding a bicycle, and driving a car. He talks about breaking down barriers and pushing limits, such as making a thriving career out of public speaking when people didn’t think it couldn’t be done, or hiking, golfing, white-water rafting and other physical activities he engages in regularly when doctors told him he’d have trouble walking. He is passionate in his anti-bullying message; he is powerful in exposing fear as a lack of information and he is persistent in his encouragement of people to see themselves and others from the inside out and use each and every challenge offered as a chance to grow and expand.

Coming from deep inside himself is that "Positive Rebel" - the unleashed one who walks-the-walk and believes that everyone is meant to live their life to the fullest. Michael is a rebel who is not only a winner himself, but has the courage to make us all believe that we are winners too.