Interview with our Lieutenant Governor of Education, Dennis Wooldridge, DTM

ST - Is there an aspect of the Toastmaster mission that motivated you to want to be a District 84 Leader?

Dennis Wooldridge, DTM

Dennis - I believe in paying it forward, helping people in their personal and professional growth. It's the motivation for my business and my involvement with Toastmasters from the club level to the District leadership.

ST - What are your personal goals for this experience?
Dennis - To learn. Nothing teaches you to swim like jumping into the middle of the lake. Nothing really prepares you for the amount of different skills and jobs you face as part of the trio, so you jump in and learn as you go. Oh, yeah, and the pay is really good too!

ST - Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
Dennis - I would rather be a joyful genius, but I likely fall somewhere in the middle of those two.

ST - What have you enjoyed most about previous volunteer leadership positions?
Dennis - The times when you really see a change in the lives of those around you.

ST - If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
Dennis - “The Joyful Genius” or “Where are My Keys?”

ST - What is your favorite book and why?
Dennis - Novel: “The Stand” by Stephen King. Great story of the struggle between good and evil. Biography: “Einstein” by Walter Issacson. Great depth into the life of an extremely interesting character, warts and all. Non-Fiction: “Lost in the Shadow of Giants” by Me. It's the book about the people caught in the World Trade Center Marriott during the 9/11 attack. You put this many years into something it had better be your favorite!

ST - What song best describes you when you first wake up in the morning?
Dennis - “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” - Don't ask!

ST - Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
Dennis - Every day. You have obviously read my biography, “Where are my Keys.”

ST - How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?
Dennis - About 20...old enough to know better but young enough not to care.

ST - What's your least favorite chore?
Dennis - Anything that can actually be describe with the word chore!

ST - How would you describe yourself in three words?
Dennis - "Curiouser and curiouser." (to borrow from Lewis Carroll)