Alan Steinberg

District Conference Karaoke Chair

Alan Steinberg is new to Toastmasters, joining the Daybreakers Club in Fall 2023. He serves as the President/CEO of the West Houston Association, working with industry leaders who collaborate, educate, and advocate to improve the quality of life, experience, and opportunity for 2,000,000+ people who live, work, and play in the 1,200 sq mile Greater West Houston region and beyond. Alan is involved with the community, serving on the Harris County MUD 500 board, the Memorial Management District, the Houston Clean City Commission, the Alief Super Neighborhood Council, Leadership Houston, the UH Katy Advisory Committee, and the Volunteer Houston Advisory Committee. Most notably, as you can tell from the boots and hat, he is also very involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Houston and is always ready to work with others to make Houston an increasingly better place to live, work, and play.

Albert Cooper

District Conference Photographer Chair

Anastasia Wilson, District Conference Hospitality Suite Chair

Andrea Tantillo, DTM, PRM

Public Relations Manager

Andrea Tantillo grew up in South Arkansas and so many of us got to Texas as fast as she could. She has worked at the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) for almost 14.5 years. She is a Principal Communications Coordinator in the Community and Environmental Planning Department, where she helps plan and implement the department’s communications strategies, facilitates two quarterly roundtables, and directs the agency’s annual parks awards and recognition program. She is also a charter member and president of Timmons Talkers Toastmasters, a community club composed mostly of H-GAC employees. She is also an adjunct instructor in the Entertainment and Media Arts Department at South Arkansas College and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and PRSA-Houston. She started her Toastmasters journey in 2016 and earned a DTM in October 2018. She has served as a club officer, Pathways Ambassador, Spring Conference Co-Chair, Program Quality Director Team Member, Club and Area Speech Contest Winner, and is currently serving District 56 as the Public Relations Manager. Andrea has more than 30 years of communications experience, including print and broadcast media, higher education, nonprofit fundraising, residential real estate marketing, and governmental sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Mass Communication from Southern Arkansas University and a Master of Science in Strategic Communications from Purdue University. In her spare time she manages her cat's Instagram account.

Andrew Paultanis, DTM

District Conference Authors Corner Chair

Angela Tornes, DTM, Past District 43 Director

Education Session

Becky Fields, District Conference Gift Bag Co-Chair

Gift Bag Co-Chair for Saturday, May 4, 2024

Brenda Villagran DTM

Loteria Chair

Brenda was born in Guatemala. She has been a Toastmaster member of Club Pensadores de Houston since 2014. Currently, she is a member of Pensadores Northwest. She has held leadership roles from 2019-2020 such as Pensadores de Houston President, Area Director (Division R, 63), Club Greenway coach, mentor of Club Voices of Blue, and Division Director from June-December 2020. She holds a DTM since May 2020.

Charlie Pitts, DTM, Past Distinguished District Governor

Education Session

David Bell, DTM

Education Session

David has been training and coaching individuals and teams on sales and leadership in the financial services industry for over 30 years. He is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) with Toastmasters International. He is a Charter Member of A+ Toastmasters and a long-time member of Talking Bull Toastmasters. He is the past Area Q51 Director and Division Q Director. In 2022-2023, David will be supporting District 56 and the Club Growth team as the Club Retention Chair (Club Coaches). He enjoys learning new things and spending time with family.

Diane Nino, DTM, District Conference Toastmasters Trivia Game Chair

Donna Fossmeyer, DTM

DTM Chair

Elizabeth Smith, District Conference First Timers Chair

Elly Hard, DTM, Tall Tales Speech Contest Chief Judge

Farzana Chohan, DTM, Toastmasters International Director, Region 5

Keynote, Fireside Chat, and Education Session

Farzana Chohan, DTM, of Chesterfield, Missouri, is a leadership human-excellence strategist for Optimize Excellence, and has worked in the design thinking industry for over 20 years. In her current role, she leads and tracks the impact of strategic initiatives focused on community engagements, education, equity, inclusion, and culture of belonging. Chohan earned a doctorate degree in management from Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri. She additionally holds a master's of architecture degree and has completed certification in project management and cognitive behavioral therapy. Chohan has served on the board of Women in Healthcare and the board of the Human Development Foundation (North America). She is a TEDx speaker, and the author of SUBTLE: Phenomenon of “Social Unconscious Biases, Terminating Larger Equity” and Leadership IN Women. A Toastmaster since 2010, Chohan is a member of her home club, Aspiring Speakers in St. Louis. She has held several high-profile leadership positions within Toastmasters and has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of educational achievement in the organization. “Everyone around the world can benefit personally and professionally in articulating convincing thoughts and growing as a leader,” she says. As a member of the Toastmasters International Board of Directors, Chohan is a “working ambassador” for the organization. She works with the Board to develop, support, and modify the policies and procedures that guide Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission.

Gail E. Lover, DTM, Past Distinguished District 5 Governor

Education Session

Gail E. Lover, DTM, PDDG, is a Toastmaster for 25 years August: Serving two Districts - 5 and 56. Currently serving as District 56 Parliamentarian, as well as President of a Presidents Distinguished Toastmaster Club, the Great Communicators of San Diego, her home Club. Toastmaster Lover is also a current Professional Registered Parliamentarian and Genealogy Researcher, a retired public and private educator, a retired jeweler and gemologist jeweler.

Gevenia Bradford, DTM, District Conference Gift Bag Co- Chair

Friday, May 3, 2024, Gift Bag Co-Chair

Harold Eaton, DTM, District Conference Logistics Manager

J. R. Marshall

District Conference Video Co-Chair

Javier Florez, DTM, District Conference Comedy Hour Chair

Javier Florez, DTM, has been a member of District 56 for 15 years.  He has taken on several club leadership roles and has been a member of several clubs throughout the district.  He has additionally been an Area Governor, an Area Director, and Public Relations Officer (PRO) for District 56.  He enjoys the process of continuous growth and supporting people with their personal growth in communication, leadership, and personal development.  Toastmasters provides an environment for exploration and creativity in communication which he embraces by getting involved with various activities, hobbies, and professional endeavors, including storytelling, comedy, improvisation, technical training, motivational speaking, and coaching.  He looks forward to supporting District 56 and its members with their educational goals during the upcoming Toastmasters season.

Jennifer Nelson, DTM, International Speech Contest Chair

Jessica Quevedo, DTM

Spanish Speech Contest Chair

Jessica Quevedo, DTM, has a passion for learning and continuing education. She believes that anything is possible in this life. Her values ​​of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn from her have helped her achieve success in both her personal and professional life.

Jo A. Idoux, DTM, Past District Director

District Leadership Committee Chair

Jonetta Barnett

District Conference Video Co-Chair

I joined The Tomball Toastmasters club to become a better speaker and improve my leadership skills. I helped charter THE Tomball Toastmasters to allow small business owners that have a flexible schedule to improve their speaking skills. My hobbies are gardening, camping, fishing, and challenging myself to improve. I find joy in serving others and always receive more than i give. My church family is a very special part of my life as are my 4 girls and my husband of 33 years. I will always stay in Toastmasters, Every day i learn something.

Latonia Jones, DTM

District Treasurer

Marcia Hudgens, DTM, Past Distinguished District Governor

International Speech Contest Chief Judge

Martha Elias, DTM, Past District Director

Education Session

I joined Toastmasters to learn how to communicate more effectively. Being a member has really helped me grow in ways I never imagined. Becoming a leader was not something I had set out to do. In becoming a President's Distinguished Area Governor in 2011-2012, I feel that achievement boils down to setting goals, and working toward accomplishing them. Also, I served as the District Club Coach Chair 2012-2013, Lt. Governor Marketing 2014-2015, Program Quality Director 2015-2016, and was elected in May 2016 to serve as the 2016-2017 District Director. Toastmasters enabled me to become the communicator and leader that I am today.

Michele Cuellar, DTM

District Conference Parade of Banners Chair

Hall of Fame: All District 56 Toastmasters Clubs are invited to walk in the Parade of Banners with their club banner while the MC announces the club name and year chartered.

Minerva Carter

District Conference Team Building Activity Chair

Pamela McCown, DTM, Past International Director

Education Session & Leadership Panel Moderator

Join us to see, hear, and feel how a Toastmasters meeting is conducted on Friday, May 3. On Saturday, meet and learn about the incoming elected District Leaders.

Pat London, DTM, Past Select Distinguished District Governor

Fireside Chat Host

Rae Ann George, DTM, 2024 District Conference Co-Chair

Sharla Ozen, DTM, District Director

Annual District Council Meeting Chair

Sheryle H. Warren, DTM, Past Distinguished District Director

Education Session: Who is your WHY?

Distinguished Toastmaster Sheryle H . Warren will speak about who benefits from someone serving as a Toastmaster, as a club, district or international officer, or as a club SMAC.

Stephen Tinney, District Conference Master of Ceremonies

Friday, May 3, 2024

Terrie Green, DTM, 2024 District Conference Co-Chair

Troy Rockett, District Conference Master of Ceremonies

Saturday, May 4, 2024

Zenia Shipp, DTM

District Conference Registration Chair

Distinguished Toastmaster, Zenia Shipp, is the New Member & Pathways Orientation Chair. She joined Toastmasters in 2014. Zenia has served her clubs in all club officer roles for the past nine years. She has also served as DCP Chair, Area Director, TLI Trainer and Club Growth Chair in District 56. Zenia is the 2017-2018 President’s Distinguished Area P4 Director and Spring 2020 Club Vice President Public Relations of the Year Award Recipient.

Alan Steinberg

District Conference Karaoke Chair

Alan Steinberg is new to Toastmasters, joining the Daybreakers Club in Fall 2023. He serves as the President/CEO of the West Houston Association, working with industry leaders who collaborate, educate, and advocate to improve the quality of life, experience, and opportunity for 2,000,000+ people who live, work, and play in the 1,200 sq mile Greater West Houston region and beyond. Alan is involved with the community, serving on the Harris County MUD 500 board, the Memorial Management District, the Houston Clean City Commission, the Alief Super Neighborhood Council, Leadership Houston, the UH Katy Advisory Committee, and the Volunteer Houston Advisory Committee. Most notably, as you can tell from the boots and hat, he is also very involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Houston and is always ready to work with others to make Houston an increasingly better place to live, work, and play.

Albert Cooper

District Conference Photographer Chair

Anastasia Wilson, District Conference Hospitality Suite Chair

Andrea Tantillo, DTM, PRM

Public Relations Manager

Andrea Tantillo grew up in South Arkansas and so many of us got to Texas as fast as she could. She has worked at the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) for almost 14.5 years. She is a Principal Communications Coordinator in the Community and Environmental Planning Department, where she helps plan and implement the department’s communications strategies, facilitates two quarterly roundtables, and directs the agency’s annual parks awards and recognition program. She is also a charter member and president of Timmons Talkers Toastmasters, a community club composed mostly of H-GAC employees. She is also an adjunct instructor in the Entertainment and Media Arts Department at South Arkansas College and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and PRSA-Houston. She started her Toastmasters journey in 2016 and earned a DTM in October 2018. She has served as a club officer, Pathways Ambassador, Spring Conference Co-Chair, Program Quality Director Team Member, Club and Area Speech Contest Winner, and is currently serving District 56 as the Public Relations Manager. Andrea has more than 30 years of communications experience, including print and broadcast media, higher education, nonprofit fundraising, residential real estate marketing, and governmental sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Mass Communication from Southern Arkansas University and a Master of Science in Strategic Communications from Purdue University. In her spare time she manages her cat's Instagram account.

Andrew Paultanis, DTM

District Conference Authors Corner Chair

Angela Tornes, DTM, Past District 43 Director

Education Session

Becky Fields, District Conference Gift Bag Co-Chair

Gift Bag Co-Chair for Saturday, May 4, 2024

Brenda Villagran DTM

Loteria Chair

Brenda was born in Guatemala. She has been a Toastmaster member of Club Pensadores de Houston since 2014. Currently, she is a member of Pensadores Northwest. She has held leadership roles from 2019-2020 such as Pensadores de Houston President, Area Director (Division R, 63), Club Greenway coach, mentor of Club Voices of Blue, and Division Director from June-December 2020. She holds a DTM since May 2020.

Chandra Munagavalasa, DTM, Immediate Past District Director

Education Chair

Charlie Pitts, DTM, Past Distinguished District Governor

Education Session

David Bell, DTM

Education Session

David has been training and coaching individuals and teams on sales and leadership in the financial services industry for over 30 years. He is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) with Toastmasters International. He is a Charter Member of A+ Toastmasters and a long-time member of Talking Bull Toastmasters. He is the past Area Q51 Director and Division Q Director. In 2022-2023, David will be supporting District 56 and the Club Growth team as the Club Retention Chair (Club Coaches). He enjoys learning new things and spending time with family.

Diane Nino, DTM, District Conference Toastmasters Trivia Game Chair

Donna Fossmeyer, DTM

DTM Chair

Elizabeth Smith, District Conference First Timers Chair

Elly Hard, DTM, Tall Tales Speech Contest Chief Judge

Farzana Chohan, DTM, Toastmasters International Director, Region 5

Keynote, Fireside Chat, and Education Session

Farzana Chohan, DTM, of Chesterfield, Missouri, is a leadership human-excellence strategist for Optimize Excellence, and has worked in the design thinking industry for over 20 years. In her current role, she leads and tracks the impact of strategic initiatives focused on community engagements, education, equity, inclusion, and culture of belonging. Chohan earned a doctorate degree in management from Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri. She additionally holds a master's of architecture degree and has completed certification in project management and cognitive behavioral therapy. Chohan has served on the board of Women in Healthcare and the board of the Human Development Foundation (North America). She is a TEDx speaker, and the author of SUBTLE: Phenomenon of “Social Unconscious Biases, Terminating Larger Equity” and Leadership IN Women. A Toastmaster since 2010, Chohan is a member of her home club, Aspiring Speakers in St. Louis. She has held several high-profile leadership positions within Toastmasters and has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of educational achievement in the organization. “Everyone around the world can benefit personally and professionally in articulating convincing thoughts and growing as a leader,” she says. As a member of the Toastmasters International Board of Directors, Chohan is a “working ambassador” for the organization. She works with the Board to develop, support, and modify the policies and procedures that guide Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission.

Gail E. Lover, DTM, Past Distinguished District 5 Governor

Education Session

Gail E. Lover, DTM, PDDG, is a Toastmaster for 25 years August: Serving two Districts - 5 and 56. Currently serving as District 56 Parliamentarian, as well as President of a Presidents Distinguished Toastmaster Club, the Great Communicators of San Diego, her home Club. Toastmaster Lover is also a current Professional Registered Parliamentarian and Genealogy Researcher, a retired public and private educator, a retired jeweler and gemologist jeweler.

Gevenia Bradford, DTM, District Conference Gift Bag Co- Chair

Friday, May 3, 2024, Gift Bag Co-Chair

Harold Eaton, DTM, District Conference Logistics Manager

J. R. Marshall

District Conference Video Co-Chair

Javier Florez, DTM, District Conference Comedy Hour Chair

Javier Florez, DTM, has been a member of District 56 for 15 years.  He has taken on several club leadership roles and has been a member of several clubs throughout the district.  He has additionally been an Area Governor, an Area Director, and Public Relations Officer (PRO) for District 56.  He enjoys the process of continuous growth and supporting people with their personal growth in communication, leadership, and personal development.  Toastmasters provides an environment for exploration and creativity in communication which he embraces by getting involved with various activities, hobbies, and professional endeavors, including storytelling, comedy, improvisation, technical training, motivational speaking, and coaching.  He looks forward to supporting District 56 and its members with their educational goals during the upcoming Toastmasters season.

Jennifer Nelson, DTM, International Speech Contest Chair

Jessica Quevedo, DTM

Spanish Speech Contest Chair

Jessica Quevedo, DTM, has a passion for learning and continuing education. She believes that anything is possible in this life. Her values ​​of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn from her have helped her achieve success in both her personal and professional life.

Jo A. Idoux, DTM, Past District Director

District Leadership Committee Chair

Jonetta Barnett

District Conference Video Co-Chair

I joined The Tomball Toastmasters club to become a better speaker and improve my leadership skills. I helped charter THE Tomball Toastmasters to allow small business owners that have a flexible schedule to improve their speaking skills. My hobbies are gardening, camping, fishing, and challenging myself to improve. I find joy in serving others and always receive more than i give. My church family is a very special part of my life as are my 4 girls and my husband of 33 years. I will always stay in Toastmasters, Every day i learn something.

Latonia Jones, DTM

District Treasurer

Marcia Hudgens, DTM, Past Distinguished District Governor

International Speech Contest Chief Judge

Martha Elias, DTM, Past District Director

Education Session

I joined Toastmasters to learn how to communicate more effectively. Being a member has really helped me grow in ways I never imagined. Becoming a leader was not something I had set out to do. In becoming a President's Distinguished Area Governor in 2011-2012, I feel that achievement boils down to setting goals, and working toward accomplishing them. Also, I served as the District Club Coach Chair 2012-2013, Lt. Governor Marketing 2014-2015, Program Quality Director 2015-2016, and was elected in May 2016 to serve as the 2016-2017 District Director. Toastmasters enabled me to become the communicator and leader that I am today.

Michele Cuellar, DTM

District Conference Parade of Banners Chair

Hall of Fame: All District 56 Toastmasters Clubs are invited to walk in the Parade of Banners with their club banner while the MC announces the club name and year chartered.

Minerva Carter

District Conference Team Building Activity Chair

Pamela McCown, DTM, Past International Director

Education Session & Leadership Panel Moderator

Join us to see, hear, and feel how a Toastmasters meeting is conducted on Friday, May 3. On Saturday, meet and learn about the incoming elected District Leaders.

Pat London, DTM, Past Select Distinguished District Governor

Fireside Chat Host

Rae Ann George, DTM, 2024 District Conference Co-Chair

Sharla Ozen, DTM, District Director

Annual District Council Meeting Chair

Sheryle H. Warren, DTM, Past Distinguished District Director

Education Session: Who is your WHY?

Distinguished Toastmaster Sheryle H . Warren will speak about who benefits from someone serving as a Toastmaster, as a club, district or international officer, or as a club SMAC.

Stephen Tinney, District Conference Master of Ceremonies

Friday, May 3, 2024

Terrie Green, DTM, 2024 District Conference Co-Chair

Troy Rockett, District Conference Master of Ceremonies

Saturday, May 4, 2024

Zenia Shipp, DTM

District Conference Registration Chair

Distinguished Toastmaster, Zenia Shipp, is the New Member & Pathways Orientation Chair. She joined Toastmasters in 2014. Zenia has served her clubs in all club officer roles for the past nine years. She has also served as DCP Chair, Area Director, TLI Trainer and Club Growth Chair in District 56. Zenia is the 2017-2018 President’s Distinguished Area P4 Director and Spring 2020 Club Vice President Public Relations of the Year Award Recipient.