Presenter Biographies (Pending Final Contracts)

CJ Jones
Special TSID Guest Presenter and Entertainer

CJ is known primarily as a comedian, actor, producer, director and motivational keynote speaker. He has traveled with the National Theatre of the Deaf and toured with "Children of a Lesser God" on Broadway. He has also appeared on NBC's Fraiser", the PBS television shows "Sesame Street" and "Rainbow's End", and was the host of "Happy Hands Kids Klub".

In addition, CJ can rightly add educator and advocate to his credits. He heads Hands Across Communication, which works to improve the skills of mainstreamed Deaf students; and he founded Sign World TV to help broaden the opportunities for Deaf people in entertainment. He is currently editing two new documentary film projects called "The Other Side - South Africa" and The Other Side - Japan." His goal is to travel and produce documentary films on the deaf culture around the world.

When he is not pursuing those goals, he takes his one-man show on the road! For more than 25 years, CJ has brought his one-man show to Deaf and hearing schools, events, and universities across the country and around the world. He has also appeared on the Broadway stage, in television, video, and on the big screen. Having experienced what he calls the "double whammy" of being an actor who is both deaf and black, CJ vigorously spreads the message to students, that being different does not mean being less worthwhile.

Check out: http://www.cjjoneslive.com

Myrelis Aponte Samalot

Myrelis Aponte Samalot, M. A., is a NCC Doctoral Candidate, Ponce School of Medicine, PR NYU Medical Center, NY, Myrelis has been providing services for the deaf community since 1992. She is the President of the Puerto Rico RID Affiliate Chapter since July of 2003 and has served in the board since 1999. She is also President of PR Sign Language Connection Inc. Myrelis is a doctoral intern in neuropsychology at NYU Medical Center and a doctoral candidate from the Ponce School of Medicine Clinical Psychology Program. She has a master's degree in Counseling from Gallaudet University. She has participated in the cultural activities at the Deaf Olympics in Denmark in 1997. Aponte has interpreted and performed in various presentations and shows in: Colombia, London, PR and the US. Also was the Co-chair of the Mano a Mano Hispanic Interpreter Conference in Chicago (2003). Presenter and trilingual interpreter at the 2005 RID Conference in San Antonio, TX. Currently is a moderator and consultant for the TV program "ABC in Signs" for Channel 6 and for other government TV programs. She was the co-chair, for the host chapter and a presenter of the RID Region II 2004 Conference.

Janet Bailey

Janet Bailey, CSC, SC:PA is the President & CEO of Sign Language Associates, Inc. (SLA). Janet has a BA in speech/drama and has done graduate work in theatre and linguistics. She has worked for the NAD & Gallaudet, and is known for her pioneering work in theatrical interpreting. As a founder of SLA {24 years old in 2006} Janet's expertise in the area of business has led to numerous speaking and consulting engagements throughout the United States and Canada. She is also a noted trainer offering workshops and seminars on Business, Service Provision, Interpreter Qualifications, Leadership, Interpreter Skill Development, and Theatrical Interpreting. Ms. Bailey is a Past President of RID and serves on the NAD/RID National Council on Interpreting as well as the Board of Directors of Deaf REACH.

Kevin Dyels

Kevin Dyels, RID CI, CT) is Sign Language Associates, Inc. (SLA) Director of Corporate Programs and a senior staff interpreter. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Theatre. Kevin has been the Cultural Access Program Manager, a Team Leader, a Mentor and SLA's official Master of Ceremonies. He has traveled to India, Romania, Mexico, and South Africa with Road Signs, a performance group that presents seminars and performances to deaf and hearing audiences. Kevin served as Production Manager for Deaf Way II overseeing over 50 performances offered as part of the International Arts Festival, featuring the world's best deaf performing arts groups. Kevin has presented seminars in Affect, Theatrical Interpreting, Team Building, and How to Access Performing Arts Venues. He is a dynamic speaker whose seminars are always standing-room-only! In his spare time Kevin is a part-time Disc Jockey.

David N. Evans

David N. Evans, RID CI & CT, NIC Master was born to parents who could hear, but raised in the Deaf Community as a child of a friend's Deaf adult (COFDA). Interpreting professionally since 1987, he focuses in the areas of conference work, music/performing arts and corporate settings. David taught his first workshop in 1992 and has been hooked ever since. As an interpreter educator, he has presented nationally on interpreting frozen texts, interpreting music and the performing arts, Deaf/hearing cultural views on manners, and the interpreting process. His most recent accomplishments include presenting at the 2005 NAOBI Conference and 2005 National RID Conference. David established Bridge Communications in 1996 to further his goals of interpreter skills enhancement through workshops and video materials. Popular training programs are the company's primary service. Each presentation is interactive, entertaining, high-energy, fun and informative-you will laugh and you will learn because David believes people are most open when they feel relaxed, safe, and are having a good time. When he's not on the road presenting and training, David makes his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Cindy Barnett

Cindy Barnett is currently working as a freelance interpreter in Houston, TX. She attended Houston Community College and studied in the Interpreter Training Program. From there Cindy pursued an aggressive two year individualized practical language and culture field study which included emersion in the deaf community. She was certified as a Level 1 interpreter by the BEI in Texas and worked for three years in the educational field. In 2001 Cindy moved to Washington, DC to join the Mentorship Program at Sign Language Associates. She remained there and worked as a staff interpreter at SLA for three years where she learned the ins and outs of community and performing arts interpreting. Cindy has understudied, interpreted and worked as lead interpreter for numerous concerts, musicals and plays. With a love for music and theatre which began long before she was an interpreter, Cindy has committed herself to providing equal access and equal entertainment for deaf consumers in the arena of performing arts. Cindy is certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf with a Certificate of Transliterating and a Certificate of Interpreting.

Amber Goertz

Amber Goertz now resides in Houston, Texas. She works for Communication Axess Ability Group as a Video and Community Interpreter. She has an associate's degree in Interpreting for the Deaf from San Antonio College. She has interpreted over 60 concerts in a myriad of genres. She has been the co-coordinator of the music interpreters for the San Antonio Livestock show for past three years. Along with her concert interpreting, she also has interpreted several musicals and operas. She is passionate about music and prides herself in interpreting music in a lyrically fluid manner. Currently, she is certified B.E.I. Level III and B.E.I. Oral Certified: Comprehensive.

Chris Grooms

Chris Grooms holds the CI and CT from RID and has been interpreting for over 16 years. Chris has provided mentorship opportunities in the educational, medical and Deaf-Blind arenas throughout his career. He is currently the Professional Development Coordinator for Communication Axess Ability Group in Houston where he provides workshops, trainings and study groups for interpreters of all levels on a variety of subjects including the NAD-RID NIC Written and Performance Tests. Chris is currently the President-Elect of TSID and serves as the Region IV Representative to the RID Professional Development Committee.

Leyel Michon Hudson

Leyel Hudson is a BEI Level III interpreter/interpreter trainer with the North Harris Montgomery Community College District in Houston. She graduated from North Harris College with an ASL Skills Certificate as well as an A.A.S. in Interpreter Training Technology and is presently working toward a Bachelor's degree. Leyel currently serves as the Professional Development Coordinator for the Greater Houston Interpreters for the Deaf. Occasionally she works freelance for the local Houston interpreting agencies and for CSD as a video relay interpreter.

Susan J. Lopez

Susan Lopez graduated from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) with a Bachelor's in Microbiology in May 1987, and a Master's in Educational Diagnostician in fall 2003. She also obtained a Master's from New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Special Education/Deaf and Hard of Hearing under a scholarship grant for Educators in Deaf Education in May 1998. She is fluent in three languages (English, Spanish and American Sign Language). She has eleven years of experience working with students with disabilities, nine of which have been at UTEP. As Director of Disabled Student Services Office she is responsible for providing services to students with disabilities to ensure they have equal access and opportunity as they attend the University. She is currently a member of The Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), Texas AHEAD, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf (TSID), and Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

Consuelo Manero Soto

Consuelo Manero Soto, M.A., NCC graduated from the University of Anahuac in Mexico with a degree in Psychology, and holds a Master's degree in Mental Health and Psychology. She was a President's Scholar at Gallaudet University. She is nationally credentialed in the United States as a mental health therapist. She worked for 13 years with disabled persons in the federal government programs in Mexico, D. F. where she has worked at a national level in various departments and programs as a consultant to provide services for students with disabilities and awareness of issues of equal access for persons with disabilities in Mexico. She is multilingual in Spanish, English, ASL, LSM and International Sign Language. She currently is at the Universidad Marista, A. C in Mexico where she currently serves as the Coordinator of Services with Disabilities (CIPD.) While in the United States, she was program director for "Hearing Loss Link" that provided management, referral and advocacy services for adults with hearing loss. She was and is a sign language interpreter in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico. She worked with Fiesta Educativa to provide sign language for Hispanic parents of deaf children. She has published and presented extensively in Mexico and the United States.

Se graduó de la Universidad Anahuac con la Licenciatura en Psicología y de la Universidad de Gallaudet con una maestría en "Salud Mental y Psicoterapia". Durante dos años consecutivos fue acreedora al premio "Gallaudet's President Scholars". Actualmente es terapeuta reconocida por el Consejo Nacional de Terapeutas Certificados en Estados Unidos. Ha trabajado por mas de 13 años con personas con alguna discapacidad, primero en el Distrito Federal en el Departamento de Otoneurologia en el Instituto Nacional de Neurología, Neurocirugía y Psiquiatría. Durante su estancia en Norteamérica trabajo en el equipo que desarrolló un centro enfocado a proveer servicios para personas con discapacidad llamado "Hearing Loss Link", en la que constituyo un elemento primordial en la implementación de programas y el desarrollo general de la Institución. Maneja el Lenguaje de Señas Americano actuando como interprete desde 1992. Se destacan interpretaciones a King Jordan Presidente de la Universidad de Gallaudet en 1994 y 1995, a Hillary Clinton en 1996, , y a Lisa Kaupinnen, presidenta de la Federación Mundial de Sordos en el 2001. Ha coordinado e impartido una serie de talleres a nivel nacional e internacional para el entrenamiento tanto de profesionales como de otros individuos relacionados con la sordera, la perdida de audición tardía y la discapacidad. En 1996, regresa a México trabajando conjuntamente con distintos grupos en promover una sociedad que acepte y respete la diversidad. Actualmente es también la coordinadora de la Escuela de Psicología de la Universidad Marista.

Jon Miller

Jon Miller received his BA from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, and attended the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) program in creative writing. He was a staff interpreter at Texas School for the Deaf in Austin for 12 years, and has worked as an interpreter at Austin Community College, Texas State University in San Marcos, and has taught ASL at Texas Union classes of the University of Texas in Austin, Houston-Tillotson College, and privately. He is now a staff interpreter at Houston Community College.

David Myers

David Myers is assistant commissioner of the Division for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Department of Rehabilitative Services in Austin, Texas. He is a graduate of Gallaudet University and has a master's degree from CSUN. His professional career spans over 40 years with state and federal agencies serving persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind.

Jan Nishimura

Jan Nishimura is a Sansei, third-generation Japanese-American from Chicago, Illinois. She is a co-founder and Vice President of Sign Language Associates (SLA) in Washington, DC. In the past 30 years, she has served as interpreter, interpreter educator, evaluator, evaluator trainer, diagnostician, consultant, advisor and mentor. In addition to her work at the local level, Jan has also been a member of RID's Certification Council and the Board of the Conference of Interpreter Trainers. She has been a Team Leader and consultant for the National Multicultural Interpreting Project (NMIP). She has worked with Project TIEM as well as with the National Council on Interpreting as a Content Expert. She has received from the Virginia RID both their Decade of Service Award and their Lifetime Achievement Award. The Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf presented her with their Reuben Altizer Award for community service. The TGIF Award from the Northern Virginia Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing also brought with it "Jan Nishimura Day" in Fairfax County in 1994. In 1995, she was honored by RID with the Distinguished Service Award. Jan has had many proud moments, not only with establishing the SLA Mentorship Program in 1983, but also in seeing the accomplishments of those she has mentored and their influences on her own development.

Angela Roth

Angela Roth, CSC, has been certified since 1985. She is a member of RID, CIT, NAD, ASLTA, Mano a Mano, FRID and PR-RID. She also is the owner and CEO of ASL Services, Inc. (national interpreting services and programs based in Central Florida) and ASL Services: Latino Inc. (based in Puerto Rico). Angela is the president of Mano a Mano, the national association of interpreters working in Spanish speaking communities throughout the United States, as well as being a consultant/presenter with the National Multicultural Interpreting Project, as the national Hispanic/Latino team leader. Formerly, she was a member of the NAD-RID Task Force (now the NCI). Additionally, she is a member of the Florida Task Force on Licensure under the governor's Florida Coordinating Council of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (FCCDHH) and was a RID Conference Co-Chair for the 2001 Conference held in Orlando, Florida. Angela was the chairperson of the National Certification Board for RID from 1988 to 1993 and has been a keynote speaker, presenter, panelist, and moderator for national and state workshops, including the RID National Convention in El Paso, Texas (1989); Bethesda, Maryland (1991); Evansville, Indiana (1993); and New Orleans, Louisiana, (1995. Angela Roth is both the choreographer and trainer of interpreters at major theme parks, plays, and major artistic presentation in both English and Spanish for over 12 years. Her choreography has been set apart with techniques she has developed specifically to address mixed audiences of varying backgrounds and international cultures. Nationally, Deaf audiences have expressed that these interpreting techniques are equaled by none.

James B. Saunders, Jr.

James B. Saunders, Jr. was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and became deaf at 3 months old. James is currently working with the Disabled Student Services Office at the University of Texas at El Paso as an Assistant Director. He works closely with Susan J. Lopez, DSSO Director, on various projects focusing on interpreter workshops that include technical signs, visual expressions, sign to voice, and preventable injury. He also evaluates closely with the university interpreters on their skills and assists them in improving the interpreting services for Deaf students attending at UTEP. James is also an adjunct instructor for Sign Language Program at El Paso Community College. He taught EPCC for 3 years. He provides instructional curriculum in American Sign Language courses and Deaf Studies.

Malena Valero

Mi nombre es Magdalena Valero, Nací en la ciudad de México, tengo 29 años y soy sorda profunda. Tengo 12 años de experiencia en la docencia de señas, actualmente trabajo en la Dirección de Educación Especial (DEE) de la Secretaria de Educación Pública (SEP) en México D.F; donde soy instructor de Lenguaje de Señas Mexicanas (LSM); y por las tardes trabajo como profesora en el Centro Clotet, A.C. donde imparto clases de educación básica a jóvenes y adultos sordos en LSM. Soy miembro de la Comunidad Católica de Sordos de México, donde participo en la cointerpretación de misas dominicales, estoy a cargo de preparar a los niños y jóvenes para su primera comunión, imparto clases de LSM para personas oyentes que tienen familiares sordos o que les interesa aprender una forma distinta de comunicación y entendimiento. He participado en congresos y conferencias nacionales e internacionales de suma importancia resaltando siempre los valores, conocimientos, habilidades, características, necesidades, debilidades, fortalezas y cultura de las personas sordas en mi país.

My name is Magdalena Valero. I was born in Mexico City. I am 29 years of age. I am profoundly deaf. I have 12 years of experience in the instruction of sign language. Presently, I work in the Office of Special Education under the Secretary of Public Education in Mexico D.F, where I am an instructor in Lenguaje de Señas Mexicanas LSM (Mexican Sign Language), in the afternoons I teach at a center called the "Centro Clotet, A. C." where I provided basic education classes for youth and deaf adults in LSM. I am a member of the Catholic Community of the Deaf in Mexico where I participate in the co-interpretation of the Sunday masses. I am responsible in preparing children and youth for their First Communion. I also provide classes in LSM for hearing persons who have deaf family members or who are interested in learning this unique form of communication. I have participated in national and international meetings and extremely important conferences resulting in the awareness, the capabilities, characteristics, needs, disabilities, strengths, and culture of the Deaf people of my country.

Gordon Vernon

Gordon Vernon is the Director of Staff Development at Sign Language Associates, Inc. (SLA) and manages SLA's nationally renowned Mentorship Program. As an SLA Senior Staff interpreter, Gordon specializes in performing arts, technical, emergency medical, scientific, video remote, and video relay interpreting. He has been interpreting professionally since 1986 and holds the Certificate of Interpretation (CI) and Certificate of Transliteration (CT) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID). Gordon keeps busy as the immediate past President of the Potomac Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PCRID) serving the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. Gordon has served on the PCRID Board of Directors in various positions since 1996 and served as Vice President of the Alabama Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf from 1993-1994. Gordon received the Region II President's Choice Award during the 2001 RID Conference in Orlando and the Region II Representative's Choice Award during the 2003 RID Conference in Chicago.

James G. Virgilio

James G. Virgilio lives in Houston, where he is a staff interpreter for Communication Axess Ability Group. James has been interpreting professionally for over 18 years. James holds the Certificate of Interpretation and the Certificate of Transliteration from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and a Bachelor of Arts in Interpretation: American Sign Language and English from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. James is a member of RID, TSID, Greater Houston Interpreters for the Deaf, Montgomery County Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and the Louisiana Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. James was a member of the 2005 TSID Conference interpreting team.

Peggy Cobb

Peggy Cobb, B.A.S, A.A.S., BEI IV and Court, RID CI and CT. Peggy has been certified and interpreting in the community and the church since 1988. She also enjoys mentoring interpreters and presenting workshops and has worked extensively as an advocate for Deaf and Hard of Hearing rights in Texas. She is currently teaching ASL at a high school in Arlington, Texas and works part time for Sorenson Video Relay Service. Peggy’s interpreting experiences include religious, educational, medical, mental health, platform and video relay.

Jackie Taylor

Jackie Taylor holds level III certification by the BEI and has a BBA in Management from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has been interpreting professionally since 1993, and has also been interpreting in church regularly since that time. Other religious events that Jackie has interpreted include a Billy Graham crusade and Southern Baptists of Texas Conference. Additionally, as a community interpreter, she has experience in a variety of settings including medical, mental health, educational, and corporate venues. Jackie currently resides in Mansfield, Texas.

Randi Turner

Randi Turner serves as the Communications Access Specialist for the Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services within the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services ­ Division for Rehabilitation Services. She works with federal, state and local agencies and service providers, for profit and not for profit, regarding their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act. She provides statewide training to empower people who are deaf or hard of hearing with knowledge of their civil rights and provides training for the business community on their responsibilities under the ADA. She also provides statewide training for parents of children with hearing loss and their rights under the IDEA. Ms. Turner holds a Bachelors of Applied Arts and Science from Texas State University in San Marcos, and Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification of CI/CT and Texas Interpreter Certification of Level III.

Doug Dittfurth

Doug Dittfurth has worked in the services for who are deaf/hard of hearing arena for over 30 years in several capacities: Teacher, Rehabilitation Counselor, Interpreter, Interpreter Trainer, Mental Health/Substance Abuse Counselor, Rehabilitation Facility Administration and Consultant. Doug currently works with the Health and Human Services Commission’s, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Division for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services in Austin as a Program Specialist. He provides oversight to the division's Regional Specialist Program. Mr. Dittfurth also serves as the division's Ombudsman/Customer Satisfaction Representative and provides liaison services to all other State agencies. He is a Board of Director for the American Foundation of Elderly Deaf which has as its main project a retirement center for the deaf in San Marcos. In 2002, Governor Perry appointed him to the State Independent Living Council as a Board Member. He holds interpreter certification from the Texas BEI as a III and CIC.

David Yates

David Yates has been associated with Quantum Financial Solutions since 1994. He graduated from Baylor University in 1981 with a BBA in Entrepreneurial Tax and Finance. He entered the financial services field with the firm belief that everyone, not just the wealthy, needs comprehensive investment planning. He currently serves over 1000 clients in Texas and the Southwest United States and conducts retirement planning workshops on a regular basis in the El Paso area for Title I school districts and the El Paso Community College Faculty and Staff Development Week.

Ouisa D. Davis

Ouisa D. Davis is a 1985 graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso and graduated from the University of Denver College of Law in 1991. Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, she was an Assistant County Attorney in El Paso, Texas focusing on domestic violence prevention, mental health, child and elder protection law practice from 1993-1997. Thereafter, she served as an attorney and the Executive Director of Diocesan Migrant & Refugee Services, Inc., an immigration legal aid clinic serving the indigent low income immigrant families within the Catholic Diocese of El Paso, Texas. In January 2006, she began employment with the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, returning to a family focused law practice.