WHO WE ARE.

WHY WE DO IT.

ABOUT AUDCONNEX

The AuDConnex Network was founded on the belief that we are stronger as a whole than as individuals. AuDConnex was created for YOU to maintain your independence, connect with like-minded professionals and obtain the buying power of a larger buying group.

At AuDConnex, we COLLABORATE with independent hearing professionals focusing on opportunities in SUPPORTING practice efficiencies, growth, and practice strategy while obtaining a COMPETITIVE presence in our ever-changing marketplace. It’s time to come together and GROW.

THE FOCUS/MISSION

We believe that our members deserve fair, honest, sincere, and competent representation that seeks to educate and provide them with best practices related to their independent businesses.

 

  • We believe in exceptional, professional, and consistent service that is flexible enough to accommodate each practice’s unique needs.
  • We believe that it is both possible and desirable to aim at the ongoing growth of our community and our individual practices while maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality.
  • We believe that exceptional care requires us to remain on the cutting edge of new technologies, programs, services, and opportunities in the field of hearing healthcare.
  • We believe in the importance of effective and transparent communication.

Owners Meetings

Staff Training

Financial Planning Support

Retirement Planning

Healthy Money Habits

Annual Marketing Planning and Evaluation

Comprehensive Practice Brand Management

Brand Consultation

Website Development

Business Coaching

Expansion and Acquisition Support

Business Analysis

Defining the Patient Experience

Professional Support

Strategy

Training

Support

Personal Development and Mnagement

Talent Acquisition

Front and Back Office Training

Personality Assessment

THE AUDCONNEX TEAM

Richard K. Johnson, Au.D.

Richard K. Johnson, Au.D.

Founding Partner • Private Practice Owner

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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 R. Iliff, Au.D.

Michael R. Iliff, Au.D.

Founding Partner • Private Practice Owner

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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 B. Lewis

Ryan B. Lewis

Founding Partner • Marketing Agency Owner

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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.
KIMBERLY TOPPEL, AU.D.

KIMBERLY TOPPEL, AU.D.

Managing Director

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Dr. Toppel’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from Purdue University, a Master’s in Communication Disorders from Auburn University, and a Doctor of Audiology from Salus University (formerly Pennsylvania College of Optometry). She has over 25 years of experience in hearing healthcare with a comprehensive background including private practice ownership, corporate leadership, and academic involvement. Her experience both in the clinic and in corporate and clinical management make her a great fit for this role as we look to enhance and expand the AuDConnex value proposition to you.

Dr. Toppel leverages her diverse skill set in business development, retail management, staff leadership, and marketing to help practice owners implement innovative strategies for growth. She is dedicated to helping independent audiology practice owners achieve sustainable growth while maintaining excellence in patient care and achieving each owners’ unique goals.

Todd Gease

Todd Gease

Vice President of Finance

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Todd Gease has more than 15 years of experience in the financial sector of the hearing health care industry. He was previously the director of financial services for a large hearing health care provider. Todd’s expertise ranges from accounting to insurance billing, as well as business strategy.

Todd oversees the AuDConnex finance department and plays an integral role in the newly developed centralized billing benefit for members.

Michael Hodes, Au.D.

Michael Hodes, Au.D.

Account Manager

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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.
Gregory Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Gregory Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Vice President of Sales

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Gregory Smith joined the AuDConnex and RiseENT family as Vice President of Sales in Fall of 2023. Smith is a seasoned professional with a dynamic career that spans the intersection of clinical audiology, sales leadership, and business development. Currently serving as the Vice President of Sales for AuDConnex and RiseENT, Gregory brings a wealth of hearing industry experience to his role. Prior to joining AuDConnex & RiseENT, Gregory enjoyed a lengthy career as a senior account executive with a major hearing aid manufacturer where he specialized in forging partnerships to help independent hearing healthcare practitioners achieve their business development goals while driving hearing aid sales and consistently outpacing revenue targets. Additionally, Gregory has expertise in business analytics and is a trusted advisor to some of the most successful independently owned private audiology practices in the Midwest. Prior to his career in the hearing industry, Gregory managed the adult hearing aid dispensing program at UNC Hospitals Hearing and Voice Center at Carolina Pointe. He started his career in audiology as a vestibular specialist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Cassie Iliff, Au.D.

Cassie Iliff, Au.D.

Director of Network Development

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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.
Christine Schellin, Au.D., F-AAA

Christine Schellin, Au.D., F-AAA

Member Liaison

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Christine received her B.S. in Speech Pathology/Audiology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1999, an M.A. in Audiology from Western Washington University in 2001, and an Au.D. from Salus University in 2008. Prior to opening Silver State Hearing & Balance, Christine was a clinical audiologist at the VA Sierra Nevada HealthCare System for 6 years. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and is licensed by the Nevada State Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech Pathology, the Nevada State Board of Hearing Aid Specialists and is licensed as a dispensing audiologist in the state of California. She served as vice president for the Nevada Speech Language and Hearing Association from 2004-2006. Christine’s clinical interests include diagnostic audiology, vestibular testing, hearing aids and cochlear implants. Outside of work, Christine enjoys spending time with her husband Scott and their three children