Board of Directors
President
Meryl Miller
ClearWorks Audiology
Dr. Miller has been practicing audiology in the greater Atlanta area since 2010 and is the founder and owner of ClearWorks Audiology in Sandy Springs, GA. Meryl Miller earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Florida and her undergraduate CSD degree from the University of Georgia. In case you're wondering, Dr. Miller continues to support the Bulldogs. Dr. Miller's clinical externship was completed in San Francisco, CA at the University of California San Francisco Audiology Clinic.
Dr. Miller served on the AAA PAC (2022-2024) and as the Georgia Academy of Audiology 2023 Conference Chair. She served on the AAA Public Awareness Committee (2019-2022) the coding and reimbursement committee (2008-2010), and as the Adopt-A-Band of Georgia chair (2013-2014).
Meryl lives in Sandy Springs with her husband, Joel, two daughters, Naomi and Tali, and dog, Duke.
Past President
Ryan Hankla
Dr. Ryan Waide Hankla is an audiologist in Waycross, Georgia. He works in a private practice setting along with his father, Dr. James Waide Hankla, and his wife, Dr. Tiffany Roe Hankla. His practice focuses on adult and pediatric evaluations and hearing aid fittings. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and cycling with his wife and two children, John and Genevieve.
President Elect
C. Brooke Means
North Georgia Audiology
Dr. C. Brooke Means is a dedicated audiologist and co-owner of North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Centers. She earned a Doctor of Audiology degree from Auburn University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders from The University of Georgia. She joined North Georgia Audiology in May 2015 and took on a new role as co-owner of all three NGA offices in 2022, partnering with Dr. Jessica Allen.
A respected leader in her profession, Dr. Means currently serves as President-Elect and State Legislative Committee member of the Georgia Academy of Audiology, where she previously served as Conference Chair. In addition, she is a contributing member of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.
Dr. Means’ passion for Audiology is deeply personal, as her brother, Nathan, was born with profound hearing impairment. Witnessing firsthand the life-changing impact that Audiologists had on her family solidified her commitment to the profession. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, serving at Liberty Baptist Church in Toccoa, singing, learning guitar, and cheering on the UGA Bulldawgs!
Treasurer
Kadyn Williams
Dr. Kadyn Williams co-founded Audiological Consultants of Atlanta, a private audiological practice, established in 1983 that was subsequently sold in 2018. Dr. Williams is a member of various local, state, regional, and national audiology associations. She served for six years as an adjunct faculty member of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry/Salus University. She served as a member and chair of the American Academy of Audiology’s (AAA) Coding and Reimbursement Committee and since 2008, has been a member of the AAA Practice Policy Advisory Committee, serving as its chair since 2012. In 2008, Dr. Williams was appointed by the Governor of Georgia to the Georgia Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Dispensers, a position which she continues to hold. In She currently serves as co-Treasurer of the Georgia Academy of Audiology and as a Trustee of the American Academy of Audiology Foundation. The American Academy of Audiology honored Dr. Williams by awarding her the Presidential Award in 2007 and the State Leader’s Advocate of the Year Award in 2008. In 2013, the University of Florida, College of Public Health and Health Sciences presented her with their Outstanding Alumni Award. Dr. Williams is an accomplished and respected public speaker and has co-authored publications on a variety of hearing healthcare issues.
Secretary
Mallory Marcis
Ear, Nose and Throat Institute
Mallory Marcis earned her bachelors of science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Ohio University in Athens Ohio where she also received her Doctorate of Audiology degree (Au.D). During her doctoral studies, she traveled to Taiwan to collect electrophysiology data to complete her 4th years studies.
After graduation she continued her studies at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. During this externship she completed newborn testing, cochlear implants, intraoperative monitoring all the way to vestibular testing and electrophysiology.
Upon graduation she moved to Atlanta Georgia where Dr. Marcis accepted her first audiology position at the Ear, Nose and Throat Institute where she still practices today.
Dr. Marcis is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), a member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), and a member of the Georgia Academy of Audiology (GAA). She has served on GAA since 2018 and is now the co-treasurer. Dr. Marcis lives in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys exercising, yoga, being outdoors, exploring the Beltline and trying new foods and restaurants in her free time.
Convention Chair
Amara Ezenwa
Amara Ezenwa, AuD earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Science and Disorders from Florida State University, followed by her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Maryland. Dr. Ezenwa completed her clinical externship at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, where she provided comprehensive audiological services to veterans with hearing and balance disorders. She currently works as an audiologist at Wellstar ENT North, with clinical experiences and interests that include cochlear implantation, aural rehabilitation, and vestibular assessments. Dr. Ezenwa was recently published as the first author of a paper on time-compressed speech recognition in cochlear implant listeners. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, exploring Atlanta's food scene, and attending sporting events.
Convention Co-Chair
Thomas Guerrein
WellStar ENT
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.
Legislative Liaison
Kate Marr
Starkey
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.
Northern Regional Representative
Kristi Halsell
Wellstar ENT North
Kristi A. Halsell holds a bachelor's degree from Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, a master's degree from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and a Doctorate of Audiology degree from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. Dr. Halsell is an Ear, Nose, and Throat Speciality clinical audiologist in Marietta, Georgia. She provides comprehensive audiological testing on all populations. She also specializes in hearing aid evaluations and fittings for adults. Dr. Halsell serves her community as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Zion Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. She also enjoys time with her family, especially with her husband, Rob and her little guy, Clark.
Northern Regional Representative
Carla Brandilyn Smiley
Onsite Audiology, LLC
Dr. Carla Smiley, affectionately known as Brandi by family and friends, was diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss by an educational audiologist at the age of six. That audiology visit would forever change her life. She knew at such a young age that she wanted to be an audiologist when she grew up and an audiologist she became.
Dr. Smiley is a graduate of Northside High School in Warner Robins, GA and acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University in 2001. She later pursued her doctoral studies in clinical audiology from Nova Southeastern University, graduating with high distinction in 2006. In 2022, Dr. Smiley received her certificate in Women's Entrepreneurship from the Bank of America and Cornell University Women's Entrepreneurship Program.
Dr. Smiley’s years as an audiologist has afforded her many opportunities within various sectors of audiology including education, public health, Veterans Health Administration, and the Department of Defense.
Dr. Smiley has traveled to various countries including Serbia, Honduras, Romania, and India participating in international missions. There was something about the hugs, smiles and gratitude that imprinted humanitarian efforts on her heart. These experiences contributed to her dreams of mobilizing audiology services to the hard-to-reach and underserved all over the world.
Dr. Smiley is board-certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, which she is also an active member. She is licensed with the Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology and holds a Doctoral Level Service Educator’s Certificate with the GA Professional Standards Committee. Dr. Smiley is also an active member of the eCornell Women's Entrepreneur Alumni, Georgia Head Start Association, Georgia Department of Education Educational Audiology Advisory Committee and Spalding County Chamber of Commerce.
Metro Regional Representative
Mackenzie Chambers
North Georgia Audiology and Hearing Aid Center
Mackenzie Chambers is a double alumna from Auburn University where she earned both her Doctor of Audiology and Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders. Dr. Chambers completed her residency at a large ENT practice with locations spanning across the Atlanta metropolitan area. She joined North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center in July 2023. Dr. Harris is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American Academy of Audiology, and Georgia Academy of Audiology. Her interests involve comprehensive audiological assessments, hearing aid evaluations, tinnitus management, and aural rehabilitation specifically with the adult/geriatric populations. Outside of work, Dr. Harris enjoys spending time with family and friends, drinking lots of coffee, and running.
Metro Regional Representative
Miriam Featherstone
Emory University Hospital - Midtown
Southern Regional Representative
Danielle ODillon
Danielle O’Dillon earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Valdosta State University and her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Florida. Danielle is currently an account manager for Oticon’s Southeast region. Her territory includes Alabama, South Georgia, and Jacksonville. Prior to joining Oticon, Danielle worked clinically at the ENT Center of Central GA in Macon, Georgia where she served both adult and pediatric patients.
Danielle currently resides in Cordele. She enjoys reading, time on the lake, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.
Membership Chair
Erin Ware
Wellstar ENT
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.
