Eagle Tales: Toast to This Skilled Public Speaker

I've worked at AU for 17 years. Before that, I worked for a public accounting firm in the area.

My job is to oversee the contracts and invoicing for federal and state governments, embassies, companies, and organizations-anyone who wants to sponsor students to attend AU. Every semester, we handle paperwork for 300 to 600 students with this arrangement. A typical day includes reviewing customized invoices to make sure they align with the contracts and meeting with students and sponsors to hammer out contract specifics. It's very detail-oriented computer work. My office is at 3201 New Mexico.

Mine is an Eagle family. My father, Horace Neil, Kogod/MBA '72, also attended the Kogod School of Business. I show my AU spirit by helping Kogod students with their business presentations. As a member of Toastmasters International for 15 years, it's a great pleasure to share my knowledge with them.

My go-to lunch spot is Chef Geoffs, where I usually get the turkey burger. My favorite place on campus to steal a quiet moment is the Kay Spiritual Life Center. Campus is at its prettiest when the spring flowers start to bloom.

The person who helped show me the ropes is Darrell Cook, senior director of student accounts. He's been here for decades and has a wealth of knowledge about AU's systems, policies, and procedures. I found my community at AU by going to the Jacobs Fitness Center, where I work out on my own and lead fitness classes helping students, faculty, and staff get in shape. I'm also a personal trainer there and hold individual sessions for gym members.

My favorite day of the workweek is Friday. I have the weekend to look forward to, and I usually go to the gym and work out that evening. The most famous face I've seen on campus is Bobby Seale, cofounder of the Black Panther Party.

When I'm not at work, you can find me at the tennis court, the gym, or giving a speech somewhere. My hobbies include reading and competing in Toastmasters speech contests. I've won four contests in the area and division levels and competed at the district level, too. Presentation mastery is the pathway I've gone furthest on, but I'm currently working on engaging humor.

The last great book I read was Atomic Habits by James Clear. The last great show I watched was Supacell on Netflix. The last great meal I ate was loading up on protein at Fogo de Chão. My go-to order at the Dav is green tea.  

My most Washington moment was seeing Bill Clinton speak when he was still president. Back then, before 9/11, you could get up close. I also grew up in Brookland and have always lived around here, with the exception of my undergrad years at Rutgers.

If I wasn't at AU, I'd be a fitness motivational speaker. But my job at AU is best because there's a real sense of community here. You can go check out an AU basketball or volleyball game, or there may be a concert coming to campus or a speaker in a field you're interested in. There are so many different opportunities to learn, grow, and commune.