Meet The Board
Board Members
President
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 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 is the Past-President of the US Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC), where she is also active in USSAAC's Disaster Relief Committee. She is the co-coordinator for the AAC strand for the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) as well as its continuing education content consultant. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Council of State Boards in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and past chair of the steering committee of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) Special Interest Group on AAC.
Vice President, People who use AAC and their Families
Hannah Foley is an Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist concentrating in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She focuses on AAC training and implementation to facilitate collaboration and effective implementation of AAC among all members of support teams of individuals with complex communication needs. Hannah is currently self-employed where she provides contract work for PRC-Saltillo, with a focus on training and implementation. Beyond her daily work, Hannah has provided national-level consultation on AAC-related topics. Formerly, Hannah served as the Support and Implementation Specialist at Forbes AAC where she delivered clinical support to optimize the implementation of AAC systems, with a particular emphasis on CoughDrop. She began her career with Forbes AAC as the Content Creator, developing training and implementation assets to facilitate effective implementation of AAC systems by various AAC stakeholders. Hannah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and received her Graduate Certificate in AT with concentration in AAC from the University of Illinois Chicago. She is currently pursuing her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with concentration in AT at George Mason University. She is a member of the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) and is a member of USSAAC's Awareness Committee.
Vice President, Financial Affairs
Jennifer Bergstrom is an Assistant Professor and Clinical Educator in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. She is dedicated to supporting individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and about helping the next generation of speech-language pathologists build the skills and confidence to do the same. At Drexel, Jennifer teaches AAC coursework and provides hands-on clinical supervision to graduate students working with clients who use AAC. She cares deeply about fostering inclusive communication and advancing the mission of USSAAC through both education and service.
Secretary
I am a passionate AAC supporter who provides clinical education and mentorship to students studying in the rehab field as well as clinical services to people who use AAC.
Director, Membership
Tammy Thompson-Cooke, Ed.D., CCC-SLP is an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with a passion for figuring out creative solutions for making a difference in communication. For more than 20 years, she has provided training and services in the areas of speech and language, augmentative-alternative communication, and assistive technology. Prior to joining PaTTAN, she worked in a variety of school settings and had a private practice providing early intervention and adult-based service, as well as at the iTECH Center of Parent Helping Parents, San Francisco State University, and PIAT/Institute on Disabilities.
Director, Advocacy
India Ochs, mother, attorney, author, sports fanatic and theater lover, has been involved in human rights, social policy, and educational advocacy for more than 30 years. While her day jobs have involved government compliance, juvenile detention reform, and international human rights law, India is an experienced public speaker with extensive work in organizing and facilitating leadership workshops and conferences. Co-Author of three published books, India's writings have appeared in professional journals, magazines, newspapers, and social media outlets.
Director, Professional Affairs
Betsy Caporale 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. She currently serves as the Director of Professional Affairs and Education Director for USSAAC (US Society of AAC). 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 with complex learning needs in the Bay Area.
Director, Public Information
Alison received her master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from San Jose State University in California where she participated in the AAC in Educational Settings grant. Since then she has dedicated her career to the AAC field, including teaching university-level classes, supervising student clinicians, conducting research, and working directly with communicators of all ages in their homes and schools. She provides AAC-related training for school teams, professionals, and families in California. Alison is an advocate and firm believer that communication is a human and civil right and has served on USSAAC's board since 2019.
ISAAC Liaison
Hello! My name is Michelle Phillippy and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist and Learning Consultant at Tobii Dynavox. I have worked with clients of all ages, their caregivers, and other SLPs to assist people with successful AAC use. I live in the mountains of North Carolina along with my husband and two dogs.
