STAFF BIOS

Gregory Mathes
Gregory is the Director of Special Projects & Program Director. He has over 23 years of experience managing human service programs. He has a B.S. degree and is certified in AT and nonprofit management.

Todd Freitas
Todd is the Assistant Technology Specialist for ATEC. Todd has been employed with ATEC since 2000 and his main role is to provide support for ATEC staff with client equipment testing, installation – delivery and perform technical support of the vast Assistive Technology equipment at the center. Todd also supports our ATLR, CATE Equipment loan programs. Todd has certifications in Assistive Technology Applications through California State University, Northridge, Comptia's A+ certification as well as MCP, MCSE certification.

Kevin Daugherty
Kevin is a Rehabilitation Engineer, and he has worked at ATEC since June 1998. He provides assessments and trainings for clients in the areas of computer access, blind and low vision, home or worksite evaluations, and technology for students with learning disabilities. Kevin has a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering and a master's degree in Rehabilitation Engineering, both from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He is a certified Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Association of North America (RESNA). Prior to working at ATEC, Kevin worked two years for a private assistive technology company in Ohio.

Lauren Wetzler
Lauren is the ATEC Services Supervisor. She has worked at ATEC since 2007. Lauren’s responsibilities include the supervision of ATEC administrative staff and the coordination of services for the school districts, insurances, and regional centers as well as assisting with the Assistive Technology Loan & Re-use program. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Services from California State University, Fullerton. Prior to working at ATEC, Lauren was a behavior therapist/program specialist who worked with children with Autism. She also has prior experience in administration and working with people with disabilities.

Rosana Flores
Rosana is the Services Assistant I who has worked at ATEC since 2007. Her responsibilities include the coordination of services, monthly billing, facilitating equipment loans for the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center and other administrative duties. Prior to working at ATEC Rosana was a technical assistant where she provided technical support and processed work orders amongst other duties for a provider of networked digital lifestyle devices. She also has prior experience in administration, switch board and sales.

Faridé González
Faridé is the Services Assistant II who has worked at ATEC since 1998. Her primary responsibilities include the coordination of services for the Department of Rehabilitation, Worker’s Compensation, SCI, ALS, Private Pay and Non-Profit funding agencies. She is also responsible for the billing, terminations/outcomes of the ATEC services as well as assisting with the Assistive Technology Loan & Re-use program and various other administrative duties. Prior to working at ATEC, Faridé worked for an imaging software company as a Financial Accountant for four years. She also has prior experience in administration, accounting and inventory control.

Kathleen Rausch
Kathleen S. Rausch is a Speech Pathologist who has been with ATEC since September 2007. Her responsibilities include AAC Assessments and Training. Mrs. Rausch received her master's degree with distinction from the University of Arizona. She has her Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). Mrs. Rausch is a state licensed speech pathologist and has a teaching credential. She is a member of ASHA, ASHA Division 12-AAC and CSHA. Mrs. Rausch provided speech and language therapy in the public schools for 20 years prior to coming to ATEC. In November 2008, Mrs. Rausch was granted a second award for Continuing Education (ACE) by the American Speech and Hearing Association.

Marjorie Sara Gell
Marjorie is a Speech and Language Pathologist who has worked at ATEC since 2008. She provides assessments, trainings and consultation for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and her Master of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She has provided speech and language services in various settings with both children and adults in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas. She holds the California License as an SLP, the Certificate of Clinical Competence in SLP from the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds membership in the ASHA Division 12/AAC.

Jasmine Bootan Sarmiento
Jasmine is an Occupational Therapist. She has worked at ATEC since 2004. Prior to working at ATEC, she worked for a private company providing occupational therapy services to Adult Day Health Care Centers. Jasmine has a B.S. in Occupational Therapy and a M.A. in Education, both from California State University Dominguez Hills. She is certified under the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and by California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT). In addition, Jasmine holds an Assistive Technology Specialist Certificate from CSU, Dominguez Hills and is a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Association of North America (RESNA).

Kim Vuong
Kim Vuong is an Assistive Technology Assistant /Intern. Kim has been at ATEC for 3 years now. She has five-year work experience working with Assistive technology and people with disabilities. She helps with some of AAC programming and other clerical duties.

Stanley Tom
Stanley is a Senior Technology Specialist at the Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC) in Santa Ana, California. After earning a B.A. and M.A. in geography from UCLA and the Univ. of Arizona, Stan worked as a technical writer and business analyst for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft. After discovering a great interest for teaching while working in the education department at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, Stan taught physical and cultural geography at Long Beach City College for nine years. His long-standing interest in computers also resulted in Microsoft systems engineer certification and employment as a network administrator. He finds that his previous employment experiences and interests has led him to work in the AT field. Through Calif. State Univ., Northridge, Stan completed certification in assistive technology applications. Stan enjoys jazz, architecture, cycling with his wife Joni, and spending time with son Nathan and beagle Walter.

Joseph M. Swingle
Joe is a Speech-Language Pathologist with ATEC. He provides assessments and trainings for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania and his Master of Science degree from California State University, Northridge. He studied in Costa Rica, Central America, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. He has provided speech and language services in various settings in Southern California, Northeast Pennsylvania, and Costa Rica and he teaches in the SLP Assistant Program at Santa Ana College. His professional certifications include: the California License as an SLP, the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA), certification as an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Association of North America and a California Teaching Credential. He also holds membership in the following professional organizations: CSHA, ISAAC, USAAC, RESNA, and ASHA Division 12/AAC.

Vernard Johnson
Vernard Johnson, M.S.- Currently works as the project coordinator for AT and AAC programs in Los Angeles. His masters degree is in Rehabilitation Counseling from Calif. State University, Los Angeles. He will receive certification as an AT specialist through the CSUN ATACP program. Vernard is currently working on his doctorate in Psychology, which he plans to apply to the AT field.