Today we’d like to introduce you to Douglas Wahl.
Hi Douglas, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was introduced and joined the Downtown San Diego Lions Club back in 2009 while I was serving on active duty with the U.S. Navy. I found the Club to be very welcoming – it has a great mission, a great speaker program, and it was very active and really cares about serving the San Diego community. Early in my membership, I served on several committees until I received orders and relocated to Mississippi and a year later on to East Africa. After serving in Africa, I was stationed in Norfolk, VA, where I joined the Little Creek Lions Club upon my transition out of the U.S. Navy, we returned to San Diego and I happily rejoined the Downtown San Diego Lions Club in 2015.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I believe a lot of volunteer and community service organizations struggled during COVID-19.
I was very impressed by how quickly our Club was able to transition to online meetings and speaker engagements. We really did not miss a hitch and in fact, we found that some of our Boards and Committees actually saw better attendance and participation when they went to an online forum. This was so successful that even as we emerge from COVID-19, most, if not all, of our Board and Committee meetings will continue to be held online.
As far as supporting our community, we updated our policies and guidance to better assist and provide grants to organizations struggling with funding due to COVID.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I served in the U.S. Navy for 21+ years as a Surface Warfare Officer and then as an Oceanographer. Post-service I worked as a Defense Contractor supporting the U.S. Military, worked at a start-up that was focused on space and satellite services, and then for Hire Heroes USA. At Hire Heroes USA, I served as an Employment Coach and assisted transitioning U.S. Military Members, Veterans, and their Spouses in bringing their unique skills to the private sector. I provided personalized transition advice, career coaching, and resource sharing that helped these individuals find gainful employment.
I am an Eagle Scout and I have been an adult leader for the Boy Scouts of America, which is now coed, on and off since 1989. I have had the opportunity to serve with 4 Scout Troops as an Assistant Scout Master, Merit Badge Counselor, and Unit Commissioner. I am currently the Committee Chair and soon-to-be Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 299 of Clairemont, San Diego.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have had many mentors through the years and many through the Downtown San Diego Lions Club. One of the great things about being in the Lions Club is making friends that work and serve in various government, businesses, and non-profits in San Diego. I have tapped into this network many times for assistance and advice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sandiegolions.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdlionsclub.org/
