• Committee Chairs

    Convention Chair

    Thomas Guerrein

    WellStar ENT

    thomas.guerrein@wellstar.org

    Thomas Guerrein earned his bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders from Auburn University and his Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of South Alabama. He has worked at multiple ENT clinics within the Atlanta metro area but is currently employed with Wellstar Health System. His clinic interests include adult hearing aids, vestibular testing, and cochlear implants.  

    Convention Co-Chair

    Jodi Bykat

    Jodibykat@gmail.com

    Dr. Jodi S. Bykat is an audiologist currently practicing at Advanced Hearing at ENT of Georgia North. Her clinical experience includes adult and pediatric diagnostics, amplification, cochlear implants, auditory rehabilitation, counseling, and community outreach. 

    Dr. Bykat earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science from The Ohio State University in 2011 and her Doctor of Audiology degree from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2015. She completed her clinical externship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. In addition to her clinical work, she is an active member of the Georgia Academy of Audiology. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.
    Dr. Bykat enjoys exercise, live music, reading, and spending time with her family. She lives in Dunwoody with her husband, Mike, two sons, Ollie and Jesse, and boxer dog, Cookie.

    Legislative Liaison

    Kate Marr

    Starkey

    audiologygirl@gmail.com

    Kate Marr, AuD has been an audiologist for over 20 years. She completed her B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Education of the Deaf, as well as her M.S. in Audiology at the University of Southern Mississippi.  She received her AuD from Salus University.  Her clinical audiology background was established from her past work experience at the Veterans Administration, ENT practice settings, Private Practice, and various Educational Audiology locations. On the manufacturing side of Audiology, she has experience in Education and Training, Sales, and Market Development, and currently serves as a Senior Sales Representative for Starkey Hearing.  Kate resides in the Atlanta Metro Area with her husband and 2 boys.

    Webmaster

    Emily Ellis

    Wellstar ENT South

    emily.ellis@wellstar.org

    Emily Ellis, Au.D. is the Lead Audiologist for Wellstar ENT South, with locations in Austell, Douglasville, and Smyrna, Georgia. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of NC Asheville and her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of NC Chapel Hill. Her current clinical interests are adult diagnostics, hearing aids, and vestibular testing. 

    Emily has previously worked at the Seattle VA and received a NIH funded T-35 grant for research at the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research in 2011. She worked as a Research Audiologist at the University of Washington where she was involved with cochlear implant studies. She has previously worked at an otology office where she worked with implantable hearing solutions along with diagnostics, hearing aids, and vestibular testing. 

    Emily has served as the webmaster for the Georgia Academy of Audiology since 2020. She received the GAA Honors of the Association Award in 2023 for behind-the-scenes work. In her free time, Emily plays soccer and volunteers with her children's activities. 

    Continuing Education

    Katherine Cardona

    Phonak

    katherine.cardona@phonak.com

    Katie Cardona, Au.D., is the Phonak Clinical Trainer for most of the state of Georgia. She received her Doctor of Audiology degree from East Tennessee State University and her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Maryland. She joined Phonak in July 2022 after working as a clinical Audiologist for five years in various settings. Her clinical experience includes diagnostics for all ages, dispensing hearing aids for adults, vestibular evaluations, and testing and counseling for patients with tinnitus and auditory processing disorders. Katie has served as the GAA Continuing Education Chair since 2023.
    Katie is based out of Brunswick, GA. Growing up in Delaware, Katie has moved her way south and loves where she has settled on the Georgia Coast. When not working, you'll find Katie baking, spending time at the beach, trying new restaurants, and volunteering with The Junior League of the Golden Isles. She is an animal lover and has two fur children of her own. 

    Membership Chair

    Erin Ware

    Wellstar ENT

    erin.ware@wellstar.org

    Erin Ware, Au.D., earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia and earned her clinical Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Louisville. Dr. Ware completed her fourth year doctoral externship at Audiological Consultants of Atlanta, where she gained a variety of experiences in diagnosing and treating patients with a variety of hearing disorders. She is licensed to practice in the state of Georgia and holds her ASHA CCC-A certification.

    Dr. Ware's specialty areas include complete hearing evaluations for both adult and pediatric populations, adult hearing aid fittings, aural rehabilitation, tinnitus management, and balance disorders. . Dr. Ware is employed with the Wellstar Ear, Nose and Throat and sees patients in the Austell and Vinings Healthpark locations.

    Marketing and Publicity

    Payton Lack

    North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center

    payton@ngaudiology.com

    Dr. Payton Lack is a licensed audiologist who practices at North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Centers. He earned his Doctor of Audiology degree from Auburn University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Georgia.
    Dr. Lack’s own personal experience of being hearing impaired and wearing hearing aids fuels his devotion to audiology and passion for helping individuals with hearing loss. Dr. Lack has spent the last years in different states gaining ample knowledge of the field of audiology in a variety of different clinical experiences. His interests include diagnosing and treating hearing disorders in adult and geriatric patients and all things amplification.
    Dr. Lack is a member of the Georgia Academy of Audiology (GAA) and currently serves as the Marketing and Publicity Chair and is also a member of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA).
    Aside from Dr. Lack’s love of connecting with patients and all things audiology, you can find him hanging out with his family and friends, cheering on the Georgia Bulldawgs (and sometimes Auburn Tigers), and being active outside, most likely playing pickleball.