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Please describe the specific qualifications and strengths you possess that make you the most qualified candidate for this office.
My qualifications and strengths stem from years of leadership experience. Upon finishing my master's program and entering the world of work, I immediately became active in my state association. This opened the doors to many ASHA opportunities. I recently completed my tenure on the ASHA Executive Board (2005–2007), and I have chaired the ASHA Honors Committee, the 2002 ASHA Convention Program, the 2007 Speech-Language Pathology Summit Planning Committee and numerous subcommittees of the EB, and other ASHA committees, task forces, and councils. I have been a member of the ASHA Legislative Council, Council on Professional Standards, Board of Ethics, Council for Clinical Certification, the Search Committee for the Executive Director, and other committees. These experiences have shown me the depth and breadth of ASHA's mission, have taught me the value of leadership, and have equipped me for the ASHA presidency.
In what ways have you been innovative and effective in your service on committees, boards, councils, and work settings?
I have shown innovation by leading a group of individuals to develop the Speech-Language Pathology Summit. We started with a blank slate, looked at a number of models, and developed one of the finest think tanks ever done at ASHA (I am told). I pushed for having educators, researchers, and clinicians (from across settings: public schools, health care, early childhood, and so forth) come together to develop the best possible clinical education models. I have also been innovative by leading groups to think outside the box so that different perspectives may be taken. I have been effective because I know how to listen and how to summarize the information I hear to develop an action plan. I am effective because I take seriously the charge given to me, realizing that committee work is the life blood of the association.
What do you want ASHA members to know about you?
I want ASHA members to know that I am first and foremost a clinician. I started in the public schools and continue to have contractual services with the local school system. I work in an environment now where I am a clinician, administrator, researcher, and educator. I get energy from people and love being with them. I decided that I wanted to be a speech-language pathologist when I was in 7th grade and still today, I would do it all over again.
E-mail: trobinso@cnmc.org
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