We just held our officer induction ceremony, and if you were watching, you saw ten people take an oath and hold a gavel. What you didn't see is what those ten people actually do all year.
Here's the thing about running a Toastmasters club: almost every officer role has two versions. There's the part you see on a Thursday night, the welcoming, the announcements, the polished front of the room. And then there's the part nobody puts on the brochure, the quiet, unglamorous, load-bearing work that happens when no one's watching. That second version is the real job.
So let us introduce our 2026 officer team the honest way, front of house and back of house, in the order they stood that night.
A quick word about the ceremony
Our induction was led by Elle Quitevis, whose title this year is a genuine mouthful: Immediate Past President and Area Director. We've taken to calling it IPPAD, which somehow makes it worse and funnier. Elle ran the whole thing by the book, every role, every duty, described with care. That's Elle. Hilarious in private, meticulous when it counts.
She asked every officer to hold the gavel as they were inducted, and most of us were a little awkward about it, unsure quite how to stand there holding a small wooden hammer in front of a room. Then it was Damian's turn. Our President didn't just hold the gavel. He presented it flat across both palms, like it was resting on an invisible tray. It got a laugh, and it was the perfect small moment to kick off the year.
Now, the team.
The team
1. Elle Quitevis, Immediate Past President
After a year in the top seat, Elle gets to exhale. The Immediate Past President's job is mentorship: she's the President's sounding board, the one who's already been through it. But her big responsibility comes at election time. Elle runs our officer elections, asking who wants to renew, who's ready to step away, and helping find replacements where we need them. You'll see her back on stage on election day, running the show one more time.
2. Rajeev Dave, VP of Technology
Rajeev almost didn't come up to be recognized, and we practically had to call him to the front. That's fitting, because his whole job happens where you'll never see it.
Six or seven years ago, Rajeev coded our scheduling app. It runs on an algorithm that helps our VP of Education figure out who's next for each meeting role while smoothly folding new members into the rotation. He also keeps our website secure and running. (I handle the content and design; Rajeev makes sure the thing actually works.)
Here's what makes Rajeev remarkable: he built it so well that the club runs perfectly without him. He could step away for months and you'd never notice a hiccup. That's not a sign he isn't needed, it's the highest praise there is. The best technical work is the kind you never have to think about. Which is exactly why he deserved to be up on that stage with everyone else.
3. Dave Zegen, Sergeant at Arms
Front of house, Dave opens every meeting. He recites the club mission and introduces the President, setting the tone before a single speech begins.
Behind the scenes, Dave owns the room. Tables set, agendas laid out, and the sound system working, which means he's the one hauling it in, setting it up, and packing it out every single week. It's a real commitment, and it's the reason the meeting feels effortless the moment you walk in.
4. Damian Carrillo, President
Damian is a showman on stage, but as President he leads by listening, and that's exactly right for where he is. He's newer to the role and fairly new to Toastmasters, and listening and understanding is a genuine strength.
It helps to know that "President" is really two jobs sharing one word. During the meeting, the President is the host: welcoming visitors, keeping things warm and entertaining. But there's also the officers' meeting, and that's a different animal entirely. That's where the club faces its real questions. Are all the officers and volunteers holding up their end? What can we actually do to make Gilbert better? Those decisions aren't always popular, and they aren't entertainment. They're responsibility and diplomacy. A President who listens first is a President who gets that part right.
5. Brenda Careaga, Treasurer
Out front, Brenda collects the dues. In the back, she makes sure the money's where it belongs and the bills get paid, from the big ones like our meeting room to the small ones like printing. She's the reason the club stays on solid financial ground without anyone having to think about it.
6. David Sobolewski, Secretary
David's work is entirely behind the scenes, and it's the club's memory. He records attendance and keeps track of who wins what, so we know how many visitors came, what turnout looked like on any given night, and, come our holiday party, who racked up the most "Best of the Evening" wins across the year. The awards we hand out in December exist because David was quietly keeping score all along.
7. Tomi Guile, VP of Membership
Tomi is often the first friendly face a visitor meets. Front of house, she's welcoming guests at the door.
Behind it, she brings the membership box and sets up the welcome table before every meeting, fields every question from prospective visitors (email, text, phone), and handles new member applications, including enrolling them with Toastmasters International. If you've ever wondered how a guest becomes a member, the answer is usually Tomi.
8. Lacey Montano, VP of Education
Lacey may be our busiest officer, and nearly all of it happens out of sight. She runs the schedule, and with 40+ members, that is no small feat. She makes sure new members know what to do and helps every member move toward their goals. When the meeting runs like a well-oiled machine, with the right people in the right roles, that's Lacey's work you're seeing.
9. Marie Feutrier, VP of Public Relations
That's me, and my work lives entirely in the background. I run our social media and make sure members know when something's happening. I also partner with Rajeev on the content and design of our public website, which, as it happens, is why you're reading this post right now.
10. Christophel Blasco, VP of Mentoring
Christophel is the matchmaker. He pairs new members with the right mentors, and doing it well means showing up to most meetings so he can get a real feel for each newcomer's personality and needs. A good mentor match can change someone's entire Toastmasters experience, and it starts with Christophel paying attention.
Ten people, two jobs each
That's our team. The next time you're at a Gilbert meeting and everything just works, remember there are ten people making that happen, and most of what they do, you'll never see. That's not an accident. That's a club that's been doing this well since 1978.
You can see the whole officer team, with photos and what each role covers, on our leadership page.
We meet Thursdays at 7:00 PM, 101 S Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296. Guests always welcome.