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RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Sept. 1, 2016 — Mike Storkey, of Queensland, Australia, is the new International President of Toastmasters International, the world’s leading organization devoted to communication and leadership skills development. Storkey assumed the one-year term at the organization’s 85^th annual International Convention, held Aug. 17-20 in Washington, D.C.

Storkey is a business trainer and coach at Storkeys’ Team, a business he co-founded in 2005. He assists small businesses in the development of strategic business plans and trains members of local government bodies throughout the Queensland area. He also hosts seminars in change management, time management, team building and leadership, particularly for small businesses, regional councils and other organizations. He has been engaged as a keynote speaker for various organizations and national conferences. Storkey also works in real estate, being a licensed real estate agent. He holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Additionally, Storkey is the former founding president of the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce. He garnered recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow for his service to the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach.

“Toastmasters has helped me understand the value of helping others, team work and creating a vision in order to reach a common goal,” says Storkey. “I am honored to use these skills to help the organization grow and enhance its bright future.”

A dedicated Toastmaster for more than 26 years, Storkey has remained an active member of several clubs since 1990. He served as the inaugural mentor officer for his district, and continues to be committed to mentoring. He served on the Toastmasters International Board of Directors from 2010 to 2012 and has held a number of high-profile leadership positions within Toastmasters. Storkey has also attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of educational achievement in the organization.

He says, “The skills I developed in Toastmasters—from helping others, working as a team and developing a vision in order to reach a common goal—have made me better-equipped to tackle leadership opportunities both in my private and professional life.”

As International President, Storkey is the highest ranked officer on the Toastmasters Board of Directors. He joins the following newly elected officers on the Toastmasters International 2016-2017 Executive Committee:

• Balraj Arunasalam of Western Province, Sri Lanka—International President-elect
• Lark Doley of Jonestown, Texas—First Vice President
• Deepak Menon of New Delhi, India—Second Vice President

For more information about Toastmasters, visit http://mediacenter.toastmasters.org.

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., the organization's membership exceeds 345,000 in more than 15,900 clubs in 142 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.

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