Professional Standards Board

Kyle Walker, MHA, ATP is currently the VP – North Region with Reliable Medical, a multi-state post-acute DME, Respiratory, and Complex Rehabilitation Technology Provider. Prior to his current role, Kyle led business development and operations of Assistive Technologies and Rehabilitation for VGM Homelink. Kyle currently holds his ATP certificate, a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Iowa State University, and his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Purdue University. Kyle volunteers his time with RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) on two boards; the Development Board, and Professional Standards Board (PSB) as the Co-Chair, is on the Board of Directors with NCART (National Coalition for Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology), and on the Board of Directors with his local non-profit WRAP (Wheelchair Ramp Accessibility Program). He regularly reviews scientific papers in assistive technology and is an advisory board member for the University of Pittsburgh’s Master of Rehabilitation Technology program.

Jason Kelln is a sales manager and an Assistive Technology Professional with PrairieHeart Mobility, a Saskatchewan-owned mobility products company. Having Entered the industry in Feb 1999 he has had a varied career from complex rehab with SCI, MS, ALS and Pediatrics. Jason has a true passion for the industry and has presented papers at CSMC and ISS.

Douglas Rakoski is an assistant professor and manages the Therapeutic Technology Program at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He has served as clinical specialist in assistive technology for the University of Michigan Health System managing the Computer Assisted Therapy Program. Rakoski worked for six years at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center where he specialized in spinal cord injury and performed assistive technology evaluations at the Center for Applied Rehabilitation Technology (CART).

Jenny Border, M.S. is a Digital Coordinator at Community Conscious Consulting based in Dayton, Ohio. She helps facilitate and manage digital relationships and footprints for clients in the disability community. Jenny received her MS in human factors psychology from Wright State University in 2011 with a focus on bridging the gap between disability, assistive technology, and the contributing factors that leads to maximal function and real time use of assistive technology in an individual's life. Jenny is a passionate advocate for multi marginalized minorities in the disability community. Her current advocacy is primarily with Disability Empowher Network, a non profit organization focused on empowering young females with ALL disabilities to become strong, fearless leaders in society.

Bio to be added.

Eric Grieb, OTR, ATP received his Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University in 1992. He has worked in the clinical subspecialty of Seating and Wheeled Mobility for the last 28 years; both as an Occupational Therapist and as a supplier of Complex Rehabilitation Technology. Over the span of his 19 year career with Numotion Eric has filled the roles of ATP, Director of Clinical Education, Director of ATP Development Vice President of Sales and Vice President of Commercial Development.

In August of 1993, Rob was paralyzed from the chest down as the result of a body surfing injury. At 21 years old, he was confronted with major life questions and decisions. How do the obstacles in my life affect me? Can I succeed in spite of personal limitations? What makes life meaningful? Rob took these questions to heart and began his work to develop a full and meaningful life.”

“You are responsible for your own life. The circumstances around you are things that may or may not change, it’s your job to find the positive and relish that.”

Since his injury, Rob has accomplished what he sees as “everyone’s goals”. He went on to to complete his education with a Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, followed by a Masters from Duquesne University. Rob married “the most wonderful woman in the world” and they have 16 year old triplets. (Everyone’s goal might not be triplets, but the goal of marriage and having a family is pretty universal.) Today he is working full time and shares his powerful message of positivity and maximizing your abilities with audiences across the country as a motivational speaker.

“We all have goals, we all have obstacles, we need to assess which will win in each of our lives. If you want to accomplish your goals, you’re going to have to deal with the obstacles, but not be overcome by them.”

Mike Osborn, ATP, CRTS is the managing parnter at Alliance Rehab & Medical Equipment LLC. Mike received his B.S. in Business Administration in 1991. He entered the healthcare industry in 1994 working for a small DME, Home Medical Supply in Southeast Missouri. Mike received his ATS (ATP) certification through RESNA in 1997 and obtained the CRTS credential throught NRRTS in 2001. Mike continued to work in the Rehab Technology Supplier role for Home Medical Supply through late 2006. Mike and his partners founded and opened Alliance Rehab & Medical Equipment in 2006 and now have 5 locations servicing all of Missouri and parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Illinois. Mike has also been very active with NRRTS for the past 20 years. He was a part of the NRRTS Board of Directors filling mulitple positions including the Presidents role. Mike was awarded the Simon Margolis Fellow Award in 2019. He has been apart of the Region D MAC committee as well as sitting on the Christain County Developmental Disabilities SB40 Board of Directors. Mike has been a proactive advoacate for the Complex Rehab Technology industry both on the Federal level as well as the State level. Mike has a passion for the Complex Rehab Technology and the many individuals that are impacted by CRT.

David is a seasoned Assistive Technology Specialist at Children’s Specialized Hospital, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. With over 30 years of experience in the field, David provides seating, positioning, and mobility solutions for patients in the hospital’s acute inpatient rehabilitation unit through assessment and application of off the shelf components through the design and construction of custom systems.

Prior to working in the Assistive Technology Field, he worked in technical theater and screen for organizations including Gateway Playhouse, Showman Fabricators, The Roundabout Theater, and Macy’s Parade Studio. David worked on such projects as building the sets for Nickelodeon’s “Double Dare” and MTV’s “Remote Control.” In fact, he still participates annually to set up and dismantle the floats for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. David holds a Bachelor of English degree from Wagner College and served as editor for the college’s literary magazine and built scenery for the college theater.

David began working in the field of Assistive Technology in 1991 working with organizations such as The Matheny School and Special Hospital and The Center for Rehabilitation Technology at Helen Hayes Hospital. In these roles he provided seating and mobility for the residents and outpatients by customizing seating products and by interfacing with augmentative communication and computer access. He provided services for inpatient rehabilitation patients and outpatient seating clinics as well as designing and fabricating custom fixtures for research projects. David has also worked at Quantum Rehab as a Project Manager in the development of new products and served as an RTS for National Seating and Mobility serving clients in Eastern Pennsylvania and Northern New Jersey.

David joined Fondacion Manos al la Ayuda for a medical mission in Ecuador where he led a team assessing and setting up seating and mobility systems for the students at two specialized schools. David has also participated in an NYU medical mission to Haiti, providing services at Ruth’s Home for Thrown Away Children and Wings of Hope in Port-au-Prince. David is a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional (1998), Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (2003), and Seating and Mobility Specialist (2012). He is a member of the RESNA ATSC Emergency Stair Travel Devices Standards Committee. David co-authored the RESNA Position on the Application of Wheelchairs, Seating Systems, and Secondary Supports for Positioning vs Restraint. He has participated in item writing for the original RET and SMS examinations, and participated in an item writing workshop for a revision of the ATP examination. In his current role, David calls Children’s Specialized Hospital “home”, where he is part of a team serving the nation’s leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children from birth to 21 years of age facing special health challenges. There, he has partnered with other hospitals within the heath system on special projects to customize post-surgical equipment for exceptional children. In his spare time, David can be found at the Blue Mountain Antique Gas and Steam Engine Association cutting shingles on a vintage Oliver shingle mill from 1896 or working in his barn shop or garden. He lives in an early 19th century farmhouse in Lower Nazareth Township, Pennsylvania with his wife, youngest daughter, a cocker spaniel, three guinea fowl, and too many cats.

Bio to be added.

Michael is actively involved with pediatric and adult wheelchair clinics. He has worked within the CRT industry for over 35 years. Michael specializes in “passive & active” custom manual wheelchairs, powered mobility, specialty drive controls, powered seating systems and custom molded seating. Michael is inspired by the “team” approach when working with physicians and therapists that will bring patients the "Best quality of life" while using custom mobility equipment. Born and raised in Northwest Ohio, Michael applied for a new opportunity to start as a wheelchair repair technician for one of the area’s largest Oxygen – DME provider. Soon afterwards he knew what his career path would be. Michael relied on his training in automotive repair and his love of mechanical engineering and motorized devices to learn everything he could about wheelchairs! Michael has attended several clinics within the last 15 years here in the Houston, Texas Medical Center. Rehab facilities like TIRR - Memorial Hermann, Methodist, Baylor ALS, Texas Children’s Hospital, Encompass and MD Anderson. Michael has had the honor to be part of the rehab mobility team for a past U.S. President (GHWB “41”) and for a U.S. House Representative. Michael volunteers with a local Houston based, non-profit, Rehabilitation Services Volunteer Project (RSVP) mobility equipment loan closet. Michael is married to Dana, his bride of 37 years. They have 4 children, currently 6 grandchildren and when he's able, loves road trips to Gulf Shores AL, Astros baseball games and motorcycle riding in the "Hill Country" area of San Antonio, TX.

Mark Schmeler is an Associate Professor and the Vice Chair for Education & Training in the Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology at the University of Pittsburgh. He is an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) serving as the Director of the Center for Assistive Technology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His research is in the area large data analytics to inform practice and policy related to wheelchair mobility and other assistive technologies. Other research interests include the application of outcome measures, telehealth, service delivery, product development, and product testing.

Cassie Frost, M.S.Ed, ATP, is the creator and owner of Disruptive Teaching LLC. She has worked to provide individualized support and inclusive environments for 18 years, starting as a special education teacher and transitioning to provide assistive technology services. She specializes in using assistive technology to help students and adults feel empowered and connected to their school and home communities. Cassie serves on the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Council and the WI DPI Assistive Technology Workgroup. She is the Past-President of the Wisconsin Council for Exceptional Children, a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional, and an ISTE-certified educator. She presents at the regional and national level, provides consultation and training around assistive technology for state and local agencies, and enjoys working with others to find creative solutions and ways for all individuals to succeed.

Beth Speaker-Christensen earned both her undergraduate (communicative disorders) and graduate degrees (speech/language pathology) at Northern Illinois University. She has worked in a variety of settings in her 27 years of practice, including skilled nursing facilities, special education cooperatives, Shriners' Hospitals for Children-Chicago, and non-profit clinics. She now owns her own private practice focused on AAC support and interventions. While working at Shriners Hospital, Beth began to explore her passion for assistive technology and Augmentative/Alternate Communication. Beth completed the Assistive Technology Certificate at the University of Illinois at Chicago and went on to obtain the ATP (Assistive Technology Professional) Certification through RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America). Currently, Beth sits on the Professional Standards Board of RESNA. She is a member of ASHA Sig 12, a member of RESNA, and a member and Chair of the Membership Committee of USSAAC (United States Society of Augmentative/Alternate Communication- the US chapter of ISAAC- the International Society of Augmentative/Alternate Communication). Beth enjoys presenting at local, state, national and international conferences to help share an overall understanding of AAC and AT. Beth has a passion for providing comprehensive services for those needing AAC to improve their communication, relationships, their independence and overall quality of life.