
DATE: Sunday, July 13, 1997                 TAG: 9707110304

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

SOURCE: Scott McCaskey 

                                            LENGTH:   65 lines

KEITH K. WILHELM CAR SALESMAN, MEMBER OF TOASTMASTERS

Keith K. Wilhelm likes to stand up and deliver speeches to his fellow Toastmasters of the Deep Creek First Speakers Club.

But it wasn't always that way. Wilhelm used to be shy.

``I was a mechanic for a long time, and I'd just keep my head under that hood,'' said Wilhelm, a South Norfolk resident. ``I didn't talk a whole lot.''

Wilhelm joined the Deep Creek branch of the Toastmasters organization, a worldwide group designed to improve individuals through enhancing their communication and leadership skills, to help him in a new career.

``I had been an auto mechanic most of my life,'' said Wilhelm, 46. ``When I moved to Chesapeake I wanted to change my occupation to sales, so I joined the Toastmasters to improve my communications skills.''

He has worked as a new car salesman at the First Team Auto Superstore on Greenbrier Parkway for about two years.

``The speech-making has helped me tremendously,'' said Wilhelm, a member of the group since 1995 and former president. ``Public speaking helps you to better organize your thoughts. To sell a car, you have to give a good presentation.''

There are Toastmasters groups throughout Hampton Roads. Members come from all walks of life, with one thing in common: They all want to improve their communication skills, Wilhelm says.

Toastmasters International was founded by Ralph C. Smedley in Santa Ana, Calif., in the early 1920s as a self-help group. There are at least 8,000 chapters worldwide.

At the meetings, participants deliver speeches and are evaluated by another member. There also are local, regional and national contests. Mike Shepard has been in the club for about a year and a half.

``Keith has made great strides in his speaking,'' Shepard said of Wilhelm. ``And not just at this club, but in regional presentations.''

Full name: Keith K. Wilhelm

Birthdate: February 28, 1951

Occupation: New car salesman at the First Team Auto Superstore

Hometown: East Palestine, Ohio

What brought you to Chesapeake? To be by the coast, and when I vacationed in Virginia Beach I came to Chesapeake and thought there would be business opportunities here.

Marital status: Married to Carol

Children: Jennifer, 29; twins Tim and Tom, 28

Pets: Yorkshire terrier, Shelby

Hobbies: Sailing and photography

Perfect day off: Sailing in the Chesapeake Bay

Favorite restaurant: Ruby Tuesday

Favorite food: Potato soup

Favorite music: Jazz

Favorite book: ``The Spellbinder's Gift,'' by Og Mandino

Favorite movie: ``Tin Cup''

Favorite sport: Softball

Favorite game: Cards, the game 500