WHO WE ARE.

Richard Johnson, Au.D., completed his Bachelors degree at the University of Nevada – Reno, his masters degree at the University of Utah in 2001 and received his Doctorate of Audiology degree at Pennsylvania College of Optometry, School of Audiology in 2004. Dr. Rich Johnson completed an internship at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Johnson joined Nevada ENT & Hearing Associates 2004 and currently serves as the Director of Audiology.

In 2010 Dr. Johnson opened Silver State Hearing & Balance. Dr. Johnson is board certified in Audiology (ABA) and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (F-AAA). In 2011 Dr. Johnson was appointed to the Nevada Speech Pathology and Audiology Board by Governor Sandoval and is currently still serving on as the President of the Nevada State Board for Audiology. Dr. Johnson holds audiology and dispensing licenses in Nevada and California. Dr. Johnson is one of the founding members of AuDConnex, which was created to help audiologists and other hearing healthcare providers with all aspects of their business, yet they wanted to maintain their independence.

Michael Iliff is co-owner of Hearing Consultants of Colorado Springs, LLC. in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Colorado Hearing Specialists, Inc. in Parker, Colorado and Colorado Springs Hearing Consultants LLC. In Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dr. Iliff received his Doctorate of Audiology degree at the Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2003. He spent 10 years as a technology consultant with Widex USA and has presented numerous seminars to professionals and consumers alike on hearing technology. Dr. Iliff has served as President for the Colorado Academy of Audiology and Vice President of Education. He received the Peak Performance award in 2009 from the Colorado Academy of Audiology which is given to individuals to acknowledge an exemplary achievement or effort that contributes to the advancement of the field of audiology and/or a direct humanitarian contribution to society in the realm of hearing. Dr. Iliff is also one of the founding members of AuDConnex, which was created to fill the need of the audiologist who wants to maintain their independence, yet still maintain a connection to like minded professionals while obtaining the buying power of a larger buying group.

Ryan Lewis is the Brand Strategist/Creative Director/Owner of the Lewis Agency. Mr. Lewis has over 15 years experience in strategic marketing, brand positioning, website development, creative execution, project management, advertising, promotions and public affairs. Ryan Lewis has been working with small, medium and large companies define and execute marketing and communications plans … helping bottom lines grow and brands THRIVE. As the Brand Strategist and Creative Director of the Lewis Agency, Mr. Lewis has worked for a variety of industries including automotive, medical, restaurant, manufacturing, retail and non-profit. Today, Mr. Lewis challenges the status quo of marketing making every client focused and clear on marketing vision and effective execution.

Michael Lowery joined AuDConnex/Rise ENT as the Vice President of Sales in August of 2022. With a degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Colorado, Mike has proven to be an inspiring leader who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. A high-achieving sales and business development leader with vast experience in the hearing healthcare. With nearly two decades of leadership experience, Mike has directed business channels, developed programs, managed high performing teams, developed critical business partnerships and organizational strategy skills that have served as the foundation for his many professional successes including: managing portfolios of over $100 million in revenue, launching industry-defining new category product launches, and forays into new markets. Most recently as the Director/Growth Leader for Whisper AI launching the industry’s first upgradeable artificial intelligent software-based learning hearing system. Mike lives in Colorado where he is a proud father of his two children.

Dr. Cassie Iliff joined AuDConnex as Director of Network Development in September of 2013. In recent years, she was employed by Unitron as an account executive and regional trainer and most recently worked for MAICO-Diagnostics as a product manager. Cassie received her bachelor’s degree and graduate degree in audiology from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

Dr. Michael Hodes became an Account Manager for AuDConnex in July 2015. He is currently working as a Clinical Audiologist at Silver State Hearing and Balance in Reno, NV. He received his Doctorate degree from Idaho State University and is passionate about philanthropy in his community and abroad. Dr. Hodes lives in north Reno with his wife and four children. Two boys and has recently adopted twin girls. Dr. Hodes’ oldest son has a hearing loss in one ear.