Officers:
President
Tracy Rackensperger, Ph.D.
Term: 2024– 2025
Tracy lives life to the fullest! Born with cerebral palsy, she uses assistive technology for mobility, daily living, employment, computer access, and communication. She recently completed her doctorate and is a faculty member at the University of Georgia, Institute on Human Development and Disability, teaching undergraduate students, training and providing technical assistance, and preparing articles for research publication. She has conducted research and published scholarly works regarding AAC, transition and people with disabilities. When not working, you can find her fishing, rock climbing, surfing, tubing, or just about any outdoor activity she can find.
President Elect
Patrick Regan
Term: 2024-2025
Patrick Regan has been an AAC user for about 27 years, having acquired his speech disability, and his first speech generating device just after his second birthday. Patrick has been actively involved as a member of USSAAC’s AAC Awareness Committee and is also a member of USSAAC’s DEIA Committee. And he is a member of ISAAC’s LEAD Committee and a frequent chat moderator for ISAAC’s Chats for PWUAAC. Patrick is employed as a Media Tech Coordinator, and a Senior Media Tech for St. John United Methodist Church in Anchorage, Alaska. And he serves as the Coordinator of Activities and Events for Bridging Communities Through Alternative Communication (“BCTAC”), an adult outreach program of The Bridge School in Hillsborough, California when that program is active. Patrick has also been BCTAC’s Co- President and steered BCTAC’s Leadership Committee for several years. Patrick has been a presenter to faith- based organizations, civil rights organizations, and to several disability communities, university students and young adult AAC users from the perspective of a long time AAC user. Patrick’s passion is encouraging people who experience disabilities to register and vote in their local, state and federal elections as a way to help make their voices heard.
Past President
Amy Goldman, MS, CCC-Sp\L
Term: 2024 – 2025
Amy S. Goldman, MS, CCC-Sp/L first joined the USSAAC Board of Directors in 2016, serving two terms as the VP for Finance. A long-time ISAAC member and supporter, she served as Chair, Social Events for the 1992 Biennial Conference (Philadelphia) and co-chaired the ISAAC 2012 Biennial Conference (Pittsburgh). A past president of the PA Speech-Language-Hearing Association and past chair of ASHA’s SIG 12 (AAC), she is chair of the PA Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Amy represents USSAAC on the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities (NJC). Amy specialized in AAC services and pre- and in-service training about AT and AAC, and has been a vigorous advocate for people with complex communication needs throughout her long career.
Vice President, Financial Affairs
Jennifer Bergstrom
Term: 2024 – 2025
Vice President, People who use AAC and their Families
Tina Moreno, M.A. CCC-SLP, ATP
Term: 2024 – 2025
Tina is mother to Mateo, who is 22 years old. Born with apraxia and dysarthria, he has been an AAC user since the age of four. Tina has learned about AAC and assistive technology right beside Mateo—returning to school when he was eight years old to become a speech-language pathologist in order to better support him and others. Tina received her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Cleveland State University. She is a member of ASHA and an Assistive Technology Professional through RESNA. She serves the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Cleveland, Ohio where she focuses on AAC assessment and implementation, working primarily with school-aged communicators. She is co-founder and co-director of Camp ALEC, a summer literacy camp for children with significant disabilities who use AAC. She also owns a small private practice and presents locally and nationally on AAC and literacy, sometimes with Mateo. Tina enjoys providing training, coaching, and encouragement to individuals, families, and educational teams who are just starting out on their own AAC journeys.
Secretary
Amy Miller Sonntag, SLPD, CCC-SLP
Term: 2025-2026
Amy Miller Sonntag, SLPD, CCC-SLP, is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist and associate clinical professor at The Ohio State University in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science. She is also a faculty member in the OSU Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology Certificate Program. Through both departments, Amy teaches coursework in AAC for undergraduate and graduate students who are in a variety of rehabilitation fields including SLP, occupational and physical therapy, rehabilitation engineers, and special educators. Amy also provides clinical education and mentorship to graduate clinicians in the MA SLP program in the OSU Speech and Hearing AAC Clinic. Amy found her career because one of her friends growing up used various low and high-tech AAC equipment. This gave her a passion to help people with complex communication needs find their voice.
Director, Advocacy
Lewis Golinker, Esq.
Term: 2024– 2025
Lew is a lawyer and Director of the Assistive Technology Law Center. His relevant experience includes over three decades of legal and policy advocacy and professional education services directed to expanding and protecting SGD coverage and access by health and other benefits funding programs. It also includes many years of service as a member of the USSAAC board, both as a regional representative and as its Advocacy Director. He’s also a part of USSAAC’s Advocacy and Public Policy committee.
Director, Membership
Tammy Thompson-Cooke
Term: 2025 – 2026
Director, Professional Affairs
Betsy Caporale, M.S., CCC-SLP, AAC/AT Specialist
Term: 2024-2025
Betsy has been working in the field of AAC/AT for over 20 years. In 2006 she earned her Competency Certificate in Communication Assistive Technology Applications from The National Association of State Directors of Special Education and was awarded an Assistive Technology Specialty Certificate in Communication Services from the University of South Florida. She has presented nationally and internationally on topics related to Autism and Complex Communication Needs. While working for the California Department of Education, Northern California Diagnostic Center she developed and taught an AAC Assessment and Services Certification Course, certifying over 200 speech-language pathologists serving students in educational settings. Betsy is the owner of Augmentative Communication Solutions, a private practice supporting students and school districts in California.
Director, Public Information
Alison Pentland, MA, CCC-SLP
Term: 2024 – 2025
Alison received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from San Jose State University in California where she participated in its AAC in Educational Settings grant. She focuses on AAC assessment and treatment, working with communicators of all ages in their homes and schools. She also provides indirect services and training for family members and professionals in California. Alison is an advocate and firm believer that communication is a human and civil right.
ISAAC Liaison
Michelle Phillippy
Term: 2025-2026