Sarah Taylor is the owner of Taylor Presentations, a company offering motivational speaking and training specifically designed for pharmaceutical companies. She has over eight years of experience working for Merck & Co., Inc. in the pharmaceutical industry and has had professional training and speaking experience since 1994. She holds an MBA from Seattle University and an undergraduate Business Degree from the University of Washington. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, like the Journal of Ocular Pharmacy and Therapeutics and Investigative Ophthalmology in Visual Science.

Sarah is a member of the National Speaker's Association, the International Federation of Professional Speakers, and Toastmasters International. She also actively volunteers at Washington Women’s Employment and Education and is on their Board of Directors.

On a personal note, Sarah enjoys vegan cooking, adventure travel, scuba diving, and playing on the USTA tennis circuit. One of her most exciting personal feats was reaching the 19,344’ summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

"Sarah Taylor brings intelligence, initiative and industry to the table. But most of all, she brings attitude - the right attitude. This wonderful attitude, reflecting optimism, teamwork, sincerity and good cheer, brings the best out of all those that work with her."

--Alfredo Sadun, MD, PhD

Professor of Ophthalmology and Neurological Surgery
University of Southern California

Kyle Hall comes to Taylor Presentations with 20 years of public speaking and presentation coaching experience. He is a professional speaker and presentation coach, specializing in advanced speaking skills and helping people to communicate more powerfully, effectively and joyfully. Kyle is an avid competitor in speech contests, taking 3rd place in the 2003 World Championship of Public Speaking!

Part of Kyle’s background in speaking includes serving ThinkFirst of Washington as a presentation coach and chief trainer. In this role, he trained people with brain and spinal cord injuries to tell their stories, to encourage youth to protect their heads and spines. Additionally, he trained their new group of lead speakers in public speaking and presentation coaching skills.

Kyle also has experience in leadership, event planning, software project management, consulting and sales.

Kyle Hall is deeply involved in Toastmasters International, a non-profit organization that teaches speaking and leadership skills. Within Toastmasters, he has served as Area Governor, Division Governor and Speaker Bureau Chair. His greatest Toastmaster accomplishments are being awarded Division Governor of the Year, and competing in the World Championship of Public Speaking.

Kyle Hall holds an M.S. in computer engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. On a personal note, Kyle enjoys reading, walking his dogs and martial arts.

"Kyle did a great job... I believe all participants had a lot of fun and picked up some valuable tips to make their presentations even better. Thank you!"

-- Pharmaceutical Employee

Mark Scholz comes to Taylor Presentations with an extensive background in both medical research and analysis and in communication. He received his Masters of Public Health degree from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), specializing in epidemiology and biostatistics. His professional experience includes coordinating clinical trials for leukemia, substance abuse, morbid obesity, and oncology. He has also designed clinical outcomes databases for medical practices.

Mark is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), the highest level of achievement within Toastmasters International. He is also a member of several Toastmaster clubs, including an advanced club focused on developing feedback skills. Mark has combined his passion for Toastmasters with his experience in health research by recently starting a Toastmasters club at OHSU for clinicians and researchers interested in improving their communication skills.

As a leader, Mark currently coordinates a monthly Leadership Forum which showcases successful business leaders as speakers for small business owners. And Mark continually mentors leaders within the Toastmasters community.

Finally, Mark has a passion for cars, and combines his time at the racetrack with active support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and National Kidney Foundation, as well as Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

 

"[Mark] gave good key points for an effective presentation. He has a genuine interest in educating clients." 

-- SB, Physician

Troy Brown is an award-winning communications professional with 15 years of experience in writing and delivering presentations.

He has spoken to more than 350 audiences of up to 800 members each, and has written congressional testimony, keynote speeches delivered to international conferences, and other presentations for executives and elected officials.

Troy has coached senior-level professionals, as well as beginning speakers, on effective presentation delivery techniques, both one-on-one and in a training program he developed entitled: “At Ease: How to be more Comfortable in Front of an Audience.”

Troy ’s communication awards include placing in the top 20 speakers out of 25,000 contestants in the World Championship of Public Speaking Contest in 2003, and a Totem Award for speech writing from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He holds a Training Specialist Certificate from the University of Washington, has a background in technical/policy communications and strategic planning, and is accredited in public relations.

A sales champion, author and speaker, Peter Stankovich brings his diverse background to the table as a dynamic seminar leader.

A salesman by nature, Peter has made more than 7,000 professional sales calls in the pharmaceutical industry, winning various awards and fulfilling various leadership roles. Due to his outstanding performance in medical sales, he was one of a select group of pharmaceutical sales representatives who were featured in the book, Secrets of Successful Pharmaceutical Salespeople. He is the author of the highly acclaimed book Six-Figure Incomes: Profit From America's Best Communicaters, which contains more than ten years of research, interviews and personal experience studying highly paid communicators. Peter also speaks to audiences on the need for financial literacy and the importance of retirement planning.

Peter has a Master’s Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University, he has been an Area Governor in Toastmasters International, and truly enjoys helping people achieve their fullest potentials.

"[Pete has] very good insight into pleasing performances and interaction."

-- J, Physician

Linda Thomas retired as the Executive Director of the Gordon Thomas Honeywell law firm in December 2004 after six years leading the firm’s growth from two branches to four.  At this firm, one of Linda’s duties was to train the new attorneys to be excellent public speakers in the courtroom.  Before leading the law firm, Linda was a general manager in aerospace, a process and human resources consultant and owned her own accounting firm.  Linda represented the 26th District as a State Representative for one term in the state capitol.

Linda is an often requested speaker in the Puget Sound area on subjects of leadership and life-balance. She has keynoted conventions, spoken at Chambers of Commerce and Rotaries as well as done presentations about workplace conflict to various employers.

She served as Area Governor for Toastmasters International and is currently the President of the GTH Toastmaster organization.  Linda holds her Distinguished Toastmaster designation, the highest level attainable in the organization.  Linda also serves as the President of the YWCA Pierce County Board of directors.

In addition to taking care of her family, Linda likes to hike, read and work jigsaw puzzles.

Linda holds an MBA in Managerial Leadership from City University and a BA in Ecological Agriculture from The Evergreen State College.

"While I had never been videotaped before, I have been in conferences in which there were trainers to aid in public speaking. Linda did the best job in making me feel relaxed and thus I was able to learn more. She is gifted."

-- E, Physician

Sandra is an officer and award winning evaluation medalist and speaker within Toastmasters International, an organization that teaches speaking and leadership skills.    She is President of the advanced Professionally Speaking Toastmasters club and competes annually in speaking and evaluation contests.

"[Sandra provided an] excellent session that added a tremendous value to the overall program. Thank you for adding it."

-- S, Physician

Michael Sun is an award winning pharmacist, a patient care advocate and a professional speaker.  He graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, and is also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Institute and the Pharmacy Partner in Diabetic Care Program.

Michael is a team leader, setting the direction and standard for his pharmacy.  He takes pride in being a patient care advocate and is proactive in patient counseling, insurance problem solving and vaccinating high risk patients.

In 2004, Michael was the recipient of the David Almquist Award at the Tri-state Pharmacy Convention and was featured on the cover of the University of Washington, School of Pharmacy Alumni Newsletter. 

When he is not working in the pharmacy, Michael is a professional speaker, with a commendable history at Toastmasters International.  He has received the Distinguished Toastmaster designation, the highest award attainable in the organization and has received the highest awards for the leadership positions he has held, including the Area Governor of the Year in 2004-2005 and the Division Governor of the Year in 2005-2006.  As a professional speaker, Michael combines his communication skills with his pharmacy profession to help people in the medical field become more effective speakers.

"[Michael is] very energetic, very knowledgeable about the subject [of speaking]. Made the doctors feel comfortable. Was very supportive and encouraging. Great job overall!"

-- ES, Physician

Alan Cooke is an accomplished speaker, consultant, economist and trainer. Alan earned his Master’s Degree in economics from Portland State University and a Bachelors Degree in Business from Central Washington University.

After graduating, Alan spent 13 years as a management consultant for an international management consulting company. When he left, Alan was a project leader, working directly with customers, and presenting proposals and studies to them.

Alan’s written and verbal communication skills have been a hallmark of his professional career. He currently works as an economist for Tacoma Power, analyzing federal, regional, and state legislative and regulatory issues and preparing Tacoma Power position papers and regulatory filings. He is known for his ability to give technical presentations that are understandable to non-technical audiences.  He is regularly called on to represent Tacoma Power at regional and national trade and regulatory events. 

Alan is also a professional speaker and trainer, renowned for his speech evaluations which help others to become better speakers.  In Toastmasters International, he is the 2006-2007 District 32 Governor, the highest ranking leader among 65 clubs in the Pacific Northwest. Alan has earned the Excellence in Education award for successfully leading the district’s educational program, and he has also earned the Excellence in Marketing award for successfully leading the district’s marketing efforts. Alan has earned his Distinguished Toastmaster certification – the highest educational level in the Toastmasters program.

"Alan did a great job. Non-confrontational, friendly, helpful. Thanks."

--SB, Physician

Jay Melrose comes to Taylor Presentations with 30 distinguished years of military service. His time is currently divided among several activities and positions: Jay is a professional speaker, an elected Commissioner for the Port of Keyport, Keyport, WA, the volunteer coordinator for the Poulsbo Fire Department, and also serves as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, CPR and First Aid Instructor and Basic Life Support evaluator.  Jay is rated as a Task Force Leader, supervising wild land fire crews during the summer months.  He holds the rank of Captain in the Civil Air Patrol and he serves as the Deputy Commander of the Peninsula Composite Squadron.  In addition to all of this, Jay is also an active flight instructor. 

As a speaker, Jay is a member of the adjunct staff of Olympic College where he teaches Co-Op Courses, Human Relations and Speech classes.  He is also an Adjunct instructor for Bates College in Tacoma. 

Jay is an active member of Toastmasters International, and is considered a leader in the organization, serving as the Division Governor in his area.  He is also a member of a prominent advanced club, where he is known for both delivering and evaluating professional speeches. 

"Jay both at start and after break took the time to make sure everyone was "on the same page" - [he] checked the feelings of group and managed expectations. [He] was respectful of physicians' expertise yet credible in his expertise - public speaking. Jay provided feedback as suggestions to think about rather than criticism. Because of the way he delivered feedback, the physicians mimiced his style. This was worthwhile."

--DR, Pharmaceutical Employee

Steve Russell has seven years of public speaking experience.  He is an award winning competitive speaker who knows how to win over an audience with a message.

Before teaming with Taylor Presentations, Steve enjoyed 21 years of service for a large corporation; most recently as a Management Analyst and Corporate Trainer.  His training curriculums are highly regarded, and have been used as a benchmark for other programs.  Steve also has experience working on a political campaign as a communication consultant.

Steve serves as a District Lieutenant Governor of Marketing for Toastmasters International, a non-profit organization that teaches speaking and leadership skills.  He also mentors up-and-coming competitive speakers as well as inmates who need to improve their skills in order to successfully reintegrate into society. 

Steve holds a B.S. in Workforce Education and Training from Southern Illinois University.  His other pursuits in life include being a highly motivating Group Exercise Instructor.  He enjoys skiing, backpacking and cooking.

"It was a great pleasure to work with Steve. I learned a lot; he is very pleasant and helpful."

-- MR, Physician