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
Katie Gibbs, M.Ed - Assistive Technology, was born with cerebral palsy and started using AAC at the age of 10. Her first AAC system was a Dynavox 2000. She was then introduced to Proloquo2Go at the age of 16. She uses AAC primarily to communicate with the unfamiliar listener, or if she has to present information intelligibly in a limited amount of time. In 2024, she obtained her Master's in Assistive Technology from George Mason University, with a passion for helping others find the right technology and tools that enable them to live successful, independent lives.
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 a speech-language pathologist and assistive technology professional passionate about finding creative solutions that expand communication access, participation, and inclusion. With more than 25 years of experience in speech-language pathology, augmentative-alternative communication (AAC), and assistive technology, she has worked across school, early intervention, adult service, private practice, higher education, and professional development settings. Her experience includes work with the iTECH Center at Parent Helping Parents, San Francisco State University, the Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) at the Institute on Disabilities, and the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), where she serves as the East region's Assistive Technology Initiative point of contact and supports the Speech-Language and Secondary Transition Initiatives. Tammy is committed to evidence-based practices, collaboration, and strengthening connections among AAC users, families, professionals, and advocates to advance communication access and meaningful participation for all.
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.
