MLT Group Project Manager, Ayodeji (Ayo) Awosika, will be presenting a speech at the TEDxZumbroRiver event Thursday, May 18^th. TEDx is an independent, locally produced version of the well known TED conferences which encourage the sharing of ideas and positive change.

Ayo has always been a fan of TED and TEDx talks, believing in the positive influence they have, and was thrilled when he had the opportunity to present.

“I believed I had an idea worth spreading and wanted to impact others the same way I’ve been impacted by other speakers.”

He became involved by attending TEDx’s pitch night, where he and 24 other speakers pitched their presentation ideas. Ayo was selected, along with three others.

The presentations will cover a wide variety of topics and ideas. Ayo will be speaking about imposter syndrome, in which individuals feel as if they are not qualified enough to be in their position, regardless of their success or accomplishments.

“The topic is important for me because I feel imposter syndrome all the time, specifically in my dreams I’m working on outside of work, which are becoming a full-time author and speaker one day. Impostor syndrome is ubiquitous, yet people don’t talk about it often enough. I think that now, with the way the economy is changing and with all the opportunities available to anybody, dealing with these feelings and overcoming them is important, because it’s a great time in our history to bet on yourself and take advantage of what’s in front of you.”

Ayo has been cultivating his speaking abilities as a member of Toastmasters International, an organization that helps members cultivate leadership and public speaking skills, but has taken additional steps to prepare for his presentation.

“I work with TEDx coaches on my speech. They give me tips on articulating my message, body language, vocal tonality, and several other nuances of giving a great talk. I also practice my talk relentlessly — pretty much every day, because I’m terrified, yet also excited!”

You can see Ayo and the other TEDx presenters Thursday, May 18th at Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester, MN. Purchase your tickets here!

The holidays are a time for families to come together, but for many, it’s also a time for remembering fallen veterans. To honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial committee of Rochester, MN, has been tasked with distributing holiday wreaths to local cemeteries, veterans’ graves, and families of fallen veterans as a part of Wreaths Across America.

Over 500 wreaths, purchased from Tim Ahern of Evergreen Industries, were donated to the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial by Treasure Island Resort & Casino and the Prairie Island Indian Community. Committee members Mike Pruett, MLT Group CEO, and Terry Throndson of Throndson Oil traveled to Red Wing, MN, to pick up the wreaths and transport them back to Rochester.

Pruett and Throndson had to make two trips from Rochester to Red Wing in order to transport all 500 individually packaged wreaths.

Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial has participated in Wreaths Across America in the past, purchasing the wreaths themselves. Having the wreaths donated this year was a welcomed sign of support from Treasure Island and Prairie Island Indian Communities.

“As a committee, we feel that this is a way that we can honor the veterans that have fallen and that they are not forgotten. We would like to thank Treasure Island for their continued support of our veterans,” stated Pruett and Throndson.

Pruett and Throndson also support Tee It Up for the Troops and Bells for Eternity, respectively. The men believe that showing support for area veterans contributes to strong community.

For many, the wreaths are a sign that their loved ones and their sacrifices are not forgotten.

Wreaths can be found at the entrances of Oakwood, Calvary, and Oakwood East cemeteries in Rochester, MN. They will also be distributed to veterans’ families through the VFW and American Legion of Rochester and Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch in Stewartville.

Today we are celebrating our Accounting Director, Jean Pearson, who was recently honored and recognized by Toastmasters International as the 2015/2016 District Six Division Director of the Year.

Jean has been a member of Toastmasters International, an organization which helps members cultivate leadership and public speaking skills, for 24 years. She originally joined in order to build on her communication skills.

“I was working in a job where I had to explain W9 forms. Inevitably, I would be talking with someone, and as soon as I hung up, I thought ‘oh, I should have added this or added that’,” she explained. “I was always talking to people who had no idea what I was talking about.”

Jean attended her first Toastmasters meeting after seeing an ad in the Mayo Newspaper.

“I decided that the Table Topics portion of the Toastmasters meeting was the part that I wanted, because I really did not have any trepidation with speaking in front of groups, it’s just that I didn’t always think of everything at once.”

Instantly, Jean enjoyed Toastmasters, stepping into her first leadership role after only four months. She has maintained a leadership position within Toastmasters for 21 out of her 24 years as a member. Jean had often worked in individualized positions, and wasn’t always able to exercise her leadership skills, so she was excited to have an opportunity to build on these skills.

“That’s why I stay. I thoroughly enjoy it.”

This is not Jean’s first award from Toastmasters. She has also twice been honored with Toastmasters’ highest achievement, the Distinguished Toastmaster (DMT) award. In order to receive this recognition, a member must meet a set of ambitious criteria, including giving approximately 46 speeches, acting as a district officer for one year, acting as a club officer for at least six months, sponsor a new club or mentor a struggling club, and complete a special leadership project, which typically involves planning and managing an event.

After a previous tenure as a Division Governor (now referred to as Director), Jean was recognized as the 2012/2013 District Six Division Governor of the Year. Being recognized twice as a Division Governor/Director of the Year is a first in the history of District Six – a phenomenal achievement considering she has only held this particular office twice!

Jean is not the only Toastmaster in the family. Her husband, David Pearson, has been a member for three years and was recognized as the 2015/2016 District Six Toastmaster of the Year.

We want to congratulate Jean on her astounding achievements and wish her the best as she continues to participate in Toastmasters. We can’t wait to see what she does next!

For more information about Toastmasters, or to find a club near you, visit their website.