• Board of Directors

    President

    C. Brooke Means

    North Georgia Audiology

    [email protected]

    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!

    Past President

    Meryl Miller

    ClearWorks Audiology

    [email protected]

    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. 

    President Elect

    Brittney Cardona, Au.D.

    Marietta Hearing Center

    [email protected]

    Dr. Brittney Cardona has been providing exceptional patient care in the Atlanta area since 2016. She currently works in a private practice setting at Marietta Hearing Center, where she has the privilege to treat patients how they want to be treated. She earned her Masters and Doctor of Audiology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Knoxville, Tennessee and her undergraduate degree from James Madison University, in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and two rescues, Gypsy and Wick. 

    Treasurer

    Kadyn Williams

    [email protected]

    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

    [email protected]

    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

    Thomas Guerrein

    WellStar ENT

    [email protected]

    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

    [email protected]

    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

    [email protected]

    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

    Erica McVey

    [email protected]

    Erica McVey earned her Doctor of Audiology from the University of Texas. She also holds degrees in Business and American Sign Language Interpretation. She completed her 4th-year externship at Baylor Scott & White hospital and McLane Children’s hospital in Temple, Texas, where she received hands-on training in vestibular assessment, electrophysiology testing, and CI mapping.

    Two years ago, she became a resident of Georgia and drew on her interprofessional experience as a small business owner and international philanthropist to establish a new audiology department at Mountain Lakes Medical Center (soon-to-be Wellstar Medical Group), where she partners with an established ENT. Dr. McVey also assists at an EHDI Clinic in Gainesville, where she provides pediatric audiologic services. She is an active member of both the American Academy of Audiology and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association where she holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology. 

    Her research interests are neurophysiological correlates of SIN processing through investigations of the cortical tracking of speech in sign language interpreters with normal hearing compared to non-signers. Dr. McVey is excited to now serve her local audiology association. 

    Northern Regional Representative

    Carla Brandilyn Smiley

    Onsite Audiology, LLC

    [email protected]

    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

    Amara Ezenwa

    [email protected]

    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.

    Metro Regional Representative

    Miriam Featherstone

    Emory University Hospital - Midtown

    [email protected]

    Miriam Featherstone is a North Carolina native (Go Pack!). She earned a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and a Masters of Education in Communication Disorders at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Thereafter, she practiced clinically as a speech-language pathologist in education and home health settings. Her experience as a speech-language pathologist in the school setting motivated her to return to academia to obtain Masters and Doctoral degrees in Audiology from the University of Pittsburgh (PITT). 
     
    Dr. Featherstone utilizes her interdisciplinary training in psychology, speech pathology and audiology to provide a sound and evidence-based approach to caring for her patients. Before beginning her audiology career at Emory, Dr. Featherstone completed her pre-doctoral externship with the University of North Carolina Hospitals (UNC) Hearing and Voice Center, where she specialized in cochlear implants, hearing aids, implantable devices and diagnostics. 
     
    As a dually certified clinician in speech-language pathology and audiology, Dr. Featherstone has worked on multiple projects. The most notable of the projects being cochlear implantation and asymmetric/single-sided deafness, as well as cochlear implantation and health disparities. She continues to specialize in cochlear implants, hearing aids, and diagnostics. She continues to maintain clinical expertise in the areas of leaderships, knowledge and supports the training efforts and development of new staff and audiology externs.

    Southern Regional Representative

    Danielle ODillon

    [email protected]

    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. 

    Southern Regional Representative

    Cori palmer

    Expert Hearing

    [email protected]

    Dr. Palmer is the co-owner of Expert Hearing located in Savannah, Georgia. She is a native of Ocilla, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders and from University of Louisville with a Doctorate in Audiology. 
    She has over 20 years of experience in Audiology and is an active member and board certified by the American Academy of Audiology. Dr. Palmer serves on the board for the Georgia Academy of Audiology. In addition, she holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 
    Dr. Palmer is a 2025 graduate of Leadership Savannah. She is an active member of Skidaway Kiwanis club and the Greater Coalition on Aging. She also sits on the board for the Royce School.
    Dr. Palmer and her husband have 2 boys. In her spare time,  she combines her love for travel with her love for running by completing races across the US; of which she has completed 4 full marathons and over 25 half marathons total.  She also enjoys volunteering with her children’s schools and supporting organizations such as Susan G. Komen and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

    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.