This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Who's Who in Sonoma: From Carnie to Corporate

Leslie Leutbecher grew up on the midway, but has come full circle to help the corporate world get its act together.

 

Leslie Leutbecher grew up as a “carnie kid” in Fort Worth, Texas. Her family owned a traveling carnival.

She didn’t have a grasp on the “office job” concept. Yet, she merged the unconventional with the conventional. Leutbecher earned a Masters of Arts and Doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Leutbecher put herself through school by traveling with the carnival during summer breaks, making snow cones. “I never want to make a snow cone again,” she smiles. “Or eat one, for that matter.”

Today, Leutbecher lives in Sonoma with her 13-year-old daughter, her husband Dell (she met him on Match.com), two dogs and a cat, and has a full-time job as a Curriculum Development Specialist in San Rafael.

Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

SP: Tell me about your profession. I’m not sure I get it.

Leslie:  I help clients work through issues with employees and develop solutions to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency.

SP: How big of a role does psychology play?

Leslie: Every day, in every way. A lot that I do is not just dealing with problems, but with issues about resilience and career reinvention, especially in this environment. It’s relevant in life.

SP: What keeps you passionate?

Leslie: As a kid I was interested in everything. Now I get to study all different types of organizations. I’m always learning.

SP: What was the best thing about being a carnie kid?

Leslie: Riding the Scrambler. Having free run of the midway. But all the carnies knew us - we couldn’t get away with anything!

SP: So you had a host of unconventional parents.

Leslie: Still, it was a total feeling of freedom.

SP: Any story that stands out?

Leslie: Dad was into pr for the carnival and knew people in the entertainment industry.  My sister was a die-hard Osmond Brothers fan. We were in a fancy hotel in Dallas, and a group of hippies walked in. It was the Osmond brothers in disguise; Dad had gotten the inside scoop.  We cornered them in the elevator, and Dad asked Donny to give us each a kiss on the cheek. Cool . . .

SP: How did you end up in Sonoma?

Leslie: In 2002 I visited a friend here, and fell in love with it.

SP:  You met your husband Dell on Match.com.

Leslie: I saw him on TV about a year before we met. I was watching Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel (I’m a science geek) and the episode took place at Infineon. Dell was director of business development at the time for Jim Russell Driving School and he was the driver on the show. I thought, why can’t I meet a guy like that?

SP: Well?

Leslie: A year later, we met on Match.com and started texting each other. We discovered that we worked across the street from each other in San Rafael. We were together about a month before I realized he was that guy from Mythbusters.

SP: Love synchronicity. What do you do in your free time?

Leslie: Walk the dogs and my cat, Poncho. Who wants to be a dog.

SP: What’s next?

Leslie: I have several great American novels in my future.

SP: Carnie stories?

Leslie: And more.

SP: You and your husband both have serious commutes. What keeps you from relocating?

Leslie: The amazingly gentle way of life. When I come up 121 and crest, I see the whole valley. I can let go of the workday. My husband and I have both traveled extensively. But every time we come home, it’s like “wow.” 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?