SHAA Executive Board — Candidates

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President

Jill Smith
Employer: Children’s of Alabama
Job Title: Director of Hearing and Speech

Professional Accomplishments:

• Selected for Leadership Development Program, ASHA (2020)

• Participant, “Jerger Future Leaders of Audiology,” AAA (2014)

Professional Honors:

• Allied Health Distinguished Leadership Award (Children’s of Alabama, 2024)

• Distinguished Service Award — SHAA (2023)

Offices Held & Committee Work:

• Nominations & Elections Committee, ASHA (2025)

• Treasurer, SHAA (2025–2027)

• ASHA Committee of Ambassadors (2021–2024)—SHAA board liaison for audiology

• Chair, Leadership Development Committee, AAA (2021–2024)

• Convention Program Committee, ASHA (2021)

• Leadership Development Program Selection Committee, ASHA (2020)

• ASHA Leadership Development Program Participant (2018–2019)

• SHAA Councilor for Audiology (2019–2021; 2015–2017)

• VP for Convention, SHAA (2017–2019)

• Chair, United Way Campaign, Children’s Health System (2012)

Why I’m running:

With over two decades of leadership in pediatric hearing and speech services, I have dedicated my career to strengthening clinical programs, supporting multidisciplinary teams, and improving access and quality of care for children and families across Alabama. My experience as a department director has equipped me with a deep understanding of operational management, policy development, regulatory standards, and the collaborative relationships that drive our field forward.

I’m running for SHAA Board President because I believe strongly in advocating for our professions, supporting clinicians at every stage of their careers, and advancing initiatives that elevate the standard of care statewide. I’m committed to bringing strategic vision, organizational clarity, and a service-driven mindset to this role to help support the future of audiology and speech-language pathology in Alabama.

Immediate Past President

Carol Koch
Employer: Oklahoma Baptist University (remote)
Job Title: Director of Curriculum and Professor

Professional Accomplishments:

• 38-year career including early intervention, private practice, and pediatric acute care

• Co-author of numerous pediatric speech-sound therapy materials including Contrast Cues for Speech and Literacy, Box of cue sets, Multisyllabic Words, Pre-vocalic & Vocalic /ɹ/, and /ɹ/ Inventory and Facilitating Contexts (Bjorem Speech Publications)

• Extensive mission work in India

• 20 years in higher education — roles include Clinical Director, Program Director, and Department Chair

• Longstanding state and national professional service

Professional Honors:

• Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

• Board Certified Specialist in Child Language

Offices Held & Committee Work:

• SHAA Treasurer for 9 years

• SHAA President (previous year)

• Instrumental in establishing student programming at Convention, including the SHAA Quest for the Cup

• Member, Council for Academic Accreditation (CAA) and Site Visitor

• ASHA Convention Planning Committee (4 years), including Topic Chair for Speech Sound Disorders

• SIG 10 Coordinating Committee member and Coordinator

Why I want to serve:

I feel that it is important to support our state and national organizations. SHAA is essential in promoting and advancing the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology. Serving SHAA—first as a member, then through progressively deeper leadership roles—has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional life.

I have witnessed firsthand how our collective advocacy, education, and collaboration have opened doors for thousands of Alabamians who struggle to speak, hear, swallow, or be understood. I have seen students I once mentored grow into confident clinicians, and seasoned professionals rediscover their passion through the connections we foster each year at our convention and throughout the year.

It would be my honor to continue serving the Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama as Immediate Past President.

Vice President for Convention

Meghan Brown
Employer: Children’s of Alabama
Job Title: Program Coordinator — Cleft Lip & Palate Team

Professional Honors:

• COA 2023 Allied Health Award

• Member, Momentum’s 2020 Upward Early-Career Program

Offices Held & Committee Work:

• Current VP of Convention, SHAA

• Chair, SHAA Honors Committee

Why I’m running:

SHAA has been an influential part of my professional career and it is my honor to give back to this organization. My desire to serve as VP of Convention is rooted in ensuring a solid and high-quality program for all attendees. Having been in this role, I have been able to develop relationships and acquire knowledge to navigate the complexities of convention planning and ensure continuity.

I am excited to build on these experiences and continue SHAA’s history of quality events while bringing fresh ideas to make each year even better.

Membership Secretary

Tamara Harrison
Employer: Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind
Job Title: Speech-Language Pathologist

Professional Accomplishments:

• Multiple ASHA ACE Awards (latest 2023)

Professional Honors:

• 2024 SHAA “Honors of the Association” award

Offices Held & Committee Work:

• Former SHAA President, Immediate Past President, and VP for Convention

Why I’m running:

I absolutely love SHAA and the support we provide to our membership and our profession. I want to continue serving on the Executive Board to help mentor new leadership for future SHAA success.

Recording Secretary

Sara Cornelius
Employer: Owner — Enhanced Therapy Services, Guntersville, AL
Job Title: Speech-Language Pathologist

Professional Accomplishments:

• Experience in outpatient pediatrics, skilled nursing rehab leadership, and private practice

• Trained in head & neck cancer rehab, feeding and swallowing, and voice therapy

• VitalStim certified

• LSVT Loud and SPEAK OUT! certified

• Competent FEES provider — first to offer outpatient FEES in her county

Professional Honors:

• Two-time ASHA ACE Award recipient

• Enhanced Therapy Services voted “Best of the Best” — Marshall County (2024, 2025)

• Three-time Parkinson Voice Project grant recipient

Offices Held & Committee Work:

• Current SHAA Recording Secretary

• SHAA Committee for Private Practice member

Why I’m running:

I love serving my community and our profession. I hope to continue advocating for improvements that impact therapists across the state and supporting the clinicians who make our field so strong.

Treasurer

Stephanie Bannon
Employer: Currently not employed
Job Title: Speech-Language Pathologist

Professional Accomplishments:

• ASHA ACE Award for Continuing Education Excellence (2016–2024)

Professional Honors:

• SHAA Convention Presenter (2018)

• ASHA Research Presenter (2012)

Offices Held & Committee Work:

• SHAA Vice President of Convention (2023–2025)

• SHAA Recording Secretary (2019–2023)

• SHAA Public Information Chair (2017–2019)

• SHAA Student Representative (2014)

Why I’m running:

Stephanie is a native of Birmingham, AL, and has been a SHAA member since 2014. She earned her CCC-SLP from the University of Montevallo and has clinical experience in acute care, inpatient rehab, and school settings. She has been active on the SHAA board for many years and enjoys giving back to the profession through service.

Stephanie now stays home with her young children and is active in her church community. As Treasurer, she would work diligently with leadership to ensure SHAA’s financial stability and guide the board in responsible budgeting and long-term planning.

Councilor for Speech-Language Pathology

Sonia Clecker
Employer: Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) / Children’s Rehabilitation Service (CRS)
Job Title: Program Specialist — Speech-Language Pathology

Professional Accomplishments:

• Implemented ARPA-funded initiatives securing ~$3M for clinics, staff, SLPs, and AAC users statewide

• Helped expand Medicaid contract and reimbursement processes for AAC access statewide

• Organized statewide AAC trainings (2024–2025)

• Multiple ASHA ACE Awards (2009–2025)

Professional Honors:

• 2019 SHAA AAC Professional Award

Offices Held & Committee Work:

• SHAA Councilor for SLP (2019–present)

• CRS liaison to Medicaid

• Member, Oral Health Coalition of Alabama

• Member, Alabama Assistive Technology Act Advisory Council (2025–present)

Why I’m running:

I enjoy helping SLPs across the state find answers and resources to better support their clients. I don’t claim to know all the answers, but I never stop until I find them—or find the people who do.

Councilor for Audiology

Missy Kemp
Employer: Children’s of Alabama
Job Title: Audiology Supervisor

Professional Accomplishments:

• 20+ years in pediatric audiology

• Current SHAA Counselor for Audiology (2023–present)

Why I’m running:

With more than 20 years of clinical and leadership experience, I am passionate about advancing audiology services in Alabama. I am committed to helping shape policies, advocate for best practices, and support clinicians throughout the state.

Councilor for School Affairs

Morgan Entrekin
Employer: Muscle Shoals City Schools
Job Title: School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist

Professional Accomplishments:

• PLC Leader for school-based SLPs

• Pursuing Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership

• Member of district Assistive Technology Team

• Multiple ASHA ACE Awards

• State Education Advocacy Leader (SEAL) for Alabama

Offices Held & Committee Work:

• SHAA Councilor for School Affairs

• SHAA School Affairs Committee Chair

• SHAA Pediatric School-Age Track Chair

• SEAL for AL to ASHA

Why I’m running:

I am passionate about advocating for school-based clinicians and ensuring their voices guide decisions that affect service delivery and student outcomes. I hope to continue building statewide connections and strengthening support for SLPs in education.