Presenters
Continuing the Legacy
2024
Your Presenters 2024
Anna McDuffie
BS, CI/CT, SC:L, NIC; Core Certified Healthcare Interpreter
A native of Atlanta, and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Interpreting. After graduation, Anna moved to Boston where she worked as a staff interpreter at the Learning Center for Deaf Children, a bilingual/bicultural school for the Deaf. Anna also worked part time at Boston University as an interpreter for various graduate programs. Anna returned to Atlanta in 1999 and has been working as a freelance interpreter for the past 24 years. Having earned a Certificate of Interpretation and Certificate of Transliteration from RID in 1999, the Specialist Certificate: Legal from RID in 2008 and the National Interpreter Certification from RID in 2011. Anna began teaching medical interpreting workshops along with her co-presenter, Heather Brown, in 2008 and is very passionate about standardizing best practices for medical and legal interpreting. Additionally, they published an article in a nationally peer reviewed medical journal entitled Health Care Providers and the Americans with Disabilities Act in the Journal of the American Association of Physician Assistants in January of 2011. She also teaches workshops on legal interpreting. Anna currently lives in Marietta, Georgia, with her husband, Eric. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her step-daughter, Cece, her fur kids, Kiwi and Pippa, traveling, and playing tennis.
Annie Pearl
Annie Pearl Murphy graduated from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, Florida. Early on, she recognized that her Deafness was an asset to be shared. Using the story of her life, Annie Pearl worked to encourage and challenge students, interns, and interpreters to grow. As a master storyteller, Annie Pearl uses her skill with American Sign Language (ASL) to entertain the Deaf community, help interpreters develop language skills, and encourages others to cultivate their storytelling abilities. Her expertise with American Sign Language helps images come alive by utilizing the many subtle nuances of ASL. She shares her experiences with sports, life at Deaf camps, leading ASL clubs, and her personal journey in humorous and thought-provoking ways. However, the greatest change in the life of Annie Pearl happened while she on a search for Truth. Her quest led her to a Pentecostal church and January 2000, Annie Pearl was baptized in water. Shortly after, she attended her first National Deaf Evangelism Conference in California where God filled her with the Holy Ghost. Annie Pearl is a gifted storyteller who is active in Deaf Ministry in Gainesville, Florida.
William "Bill" Ross III
M.S., CI/CT; Vice President of Education and Outreach at Hands Up Communications, FL
William F. Ross III, M.S. is currently the Vice President of Education and Outreach for Hands Up Communications, an all-access language company in Ocala, Florida. He is also one of the primary authors for one of the most recognized texts in the field of interpreting, You Want To Be An Interpreter? (5th Ed.) As a child of Deaf parents, he has been interpreting for more than 40 years and holds national certification (CI/CT) from the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. Previously, Bill was the Curriculum Development Specialist for Deaf Bible Society (DBS); an international organization that provided training and resources for individuals working on Scripture translation. Prior to working at DBS, he was the Program Director of the Carlstrom Interpreter Training Program at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bill is passionate about building mentoring relationships, studying American Sign Language, and accompanying interpreters on the journey of perfecting their craft.
Brian "BAM" Moss
BSW, Visual Gestural Specialist for the Alabama Department of Mental Health, Office of Deaf Services
Brian “BAM” Moss is the Visual-Gestural Specialist for the Alabama Department of Mental Health Office of Deaf Services. In Montgomery native, BAM attended mainstream schools during his early educational years. Later, he immersed himself in Deaf culture as a student at the Alabama School for the Deaf. He graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2019. Before returning to college to obtain his degree and Social Work, BAM worked as a Deaf Care Worker for several years under the ADMH. He was very motivated to work closely with patients again, and upon graduation, returned to ADMH in his current role. BAM is also a Certified Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Instructor and a certified Conducting Serious Incident Investigations (CSII) Trainor; providing quarterly training for employees across Alabama. He has presented on various topics related to cultural demands and consideration in the mental health field and is currently pursuing the opportunity to become a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI).
Crom Saunders
Director of Deaf Studies at the ASL Department of Columbia College, Chicago
Crom Saunders is currently the Director of Deaf Studies at the American Sign Language Department of Columbia College Chicago. Crom works extensively in translation, including PSA videos and children’s stories, with organizations such as “Fun4theDisabled” and “Sally Is Sarah, LLC”. Saunders has interpreted dozens of plays, from Children’s Theater to musicals; including for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Steppenwolf Theater. Simultaneously, he has taught dozens of ASL linguistic and Theatrical workshops across the nation. In addition to working as a director of ASL to several theater companies in the states. Crom also performs improv and his one-person show, “Cromania” internationally!
Dawn Christerson
B.S., EIPA 4.0
Dawn Christianson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Deaf Education from Bowling Green State University. Dawn cares passionately about the educational well-being of dDeaf children; and as a former deaf instructor, she continues to maintain her Florida teacher’s license. Currently, Dawn is a full-time American Sign Language interpreter at Hands Up Communications. She holds a 4.0 in Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA). With more than 10 years of experience as an educational interpreter, she is actively involved in the deaf and interpreting communities. She consistently seeks to hone her craft by regular involvement in communities of practice and inquiry as well as other professional development opportunities. Christerson is one of the few individuals in the North Central Florida region who holds certification as a Baby Signs instructor. Her solid work ethic continues to positively shape how she performs her duties.
Debbie Gibson
B.A., CI/CT, Owner of Signs of Excellence, LLC
Deborah “Debbie” Gibson is a lover of languages with extensive experience as a professional writer and corporate trainer. Gibson has written professionally for the Etowah News Journal, The Messenger, The Auburn Plainsman, and The Miami Herald. She enjoys activities that help expand her English vocabulary and register as she is getting excited to facilitate a few of these activities with her peers, as we grow together at The Conference. Debbie will be exploring why it is critical as an American Sign Language interpreter to intentionally hone your ENGLISH. From idioms, metaphors, and similes to targeting the “natural” discourse of two very different languages, you will begin to think about dropping Source language form in a whole new way! Clarity and richness for hearing and Deaf consumers are the true goals of our work. Why stop at just technical content accuracy? Voicing to match clients will be more organic when you pour into yourself using fun practice and mindfulness.
Fred Beam
Outreach coordinator for Sunshine 2.0, established the Black Deaf Expo, Actor
Fred Michael Beam is the Outreach Coordinator for Sunshine 2.0. He is an experienced performer with acting credits that include Nicholas in by, “The Music of the Spheres” at the Goodman Theater, Harry in, “Harry the Dirty Dog” at Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts, Witness in, “Miracle Workers”, and Stranger in, “Mad Dancer” at The Arena Stage in Washington, D,C.; “Fallout Shelter,” “The Dirt Maker”, and “The Underachiever” at the Kennedy Center and “The New Captain Kangaroo”, for which he won the 2000 Media Access Award. These are only a few of his credits! Beam was also a board member of Quest for Arts, Inc., the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Careers in the arts for People with Disabilities in Maryland. He was also a former President of District of Columbia Black Death Advocates. For his outstanding work with the Deaf Community, Beam was chosen one of “Essence Magazine’s” Real Men of the year and has been “DEAF LIFE” magazine’s Deaf Person of the month. Finally, Beam established the Black Death Expo and has hosted it since 2003 providing the deaf black community the opportunity to stand proud while displaying their culture.
Jennifer Francisco
Educational Interpreter Project Coordinator for Florida State
Jennifer Francisco is the Educational Interpreter Project Coordinator in Florida. She works with all K-12 educational interpreters and agency interpreters placed in schools across the Florida state. She holds certifications in: Elementary Education, Deaf Education, Reading Education, and an endorsement in ESOL. She comes from a generationally Deaf family and is passionate about Deaf Education and providing the best access to education and language for all dDeaf and hard of hearing students. Jennifer believes in working with all staff members who work with dDeaf and hard of hearing students because we should share the same goal of providing the best of the best for any student. When Jennifer is not working, she is with her husband and two children, Mason and Molly, exploring what is out there to be seen and enjoyed. Jennifer and her family enjoy traveling and adventure around the US.
Jenny Locy
A.A., B.A.; Marketing & Training Director at AQI Services, FL
Jenny Locy (pronounced: Low-Sea) has obtained her Associates of Arts from St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, FL and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida in Tampa. She served as a leader for the Florida Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (FRID) as a Student Representative as well as a Student Representative Coordinator at the State Conference. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Blossom School for the Deaf in Clearwater, Florida; and has also served on the Advisory Board for the Sign Language Interpretation Program at the St. Petersburg College. Jenny’s skills, knowledge, and expertise in marketing, business, education, outreach, and social media have led her to join AQI Services as the Marketing and Training Director. Locy has attended the Florida CERT Association and National CERT Association to collaborate with Florida CERT programs and Emergency Operations centers; providing equal communication access to the disaster preparations and relief for individuals who are dDeaf and hard of hearing. She has become one of the first two deaf persons in Florida to become FEMA CERT instructor!
Joseph "JV" Featherstone
M.S., CEO & Owner of Hands Up Communications, LLC
Joseph Featherstone (JV), M.S., is the CEO and owner of Hands Up Communications, an all-access language company based in Iowa and Florida. With a background as a Deaf interpreter, he comes to the field of interpreting not only as a consumer of services, but also as a provider. He is also part of the team of authors for the well-known textbook, You Want to be an Interpreter? (5th edition), used throughout interpreter training programs across the US. Joseph continues to make waves in the industry, pushing boundaries and driving progress. With an unquenchable thirst for challenging the status quo and a determination to make a difference, he is unafraid to take risks to make changes in field interpreting. His ability to think outside the box and his attention to detail have garnered him a reputation as a visionary in his field. An example of this is when he worked with Universal Studios-Hollywood to successfully use smart glasses that provide interpreting access during theme-park rides. When he’s not immersed in the world of technology, Joseph is an avid adventurer, father, husband and was at one point in his life a certified whitewater rafting guide. He believes in living life to the fullest and embracing new experiences and new places.
Katharine Robertson
BS, NIC, ED:K-12, EIPA, Interpre-Nerd Extraordinaire
Kate Robertson holds her NIC and Ed: K-12 from RID and is an interpreter who specializes in the educational setting. Kate has worked as a full-time staff interpreter in the Palm Beach County School District for approximately fifteen years. In addition to freelance interpreting, she enjoys theatrical interpreting as well as the VRS/VRI arena. Like many of us in the field, interpreting is her passion, hobby, and her job! She was a regular attendee at Silent Weekend for many years and as a presenter, she would love to meet you this weekend!
Ku Mei Kern
M.A., CI/CT; Vice President of Sales at Hands Up Communications, FL
Leslie Cagle
M.A., NIC; Interpreter at Hands Up Communications, FL
Leslie Cagle, a child of deaf parents, holds National Certification (NIC) with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. She also holds a 4.2 score on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA). For her Master’s of Arts degree in Art Therapy, her thesis emphasized the overlap and similarities of art as a visual language and American Sign Language as a visual language. While earning her degree, she has worked as a Sign Language interpreter at her local community college. Growing up in a deaf home, she interpreted in a variety of settings. Previously, she worked as a care coordinator at the Child and Family Guidance Center in Dallas, Texas, and as an Art Therapist at Northeast Youth and Family Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Currently, Leslie is a full-time staff interpreter with Hands Up Communications in Ocala, Florida. Leslie is passionate about the Deaf Community, helping others, while improving herself both personally and professionally.
Michael "Mike" Tuccelli
Founder of “Silent Weekend” & Retired ASL Professor at the University of Florida
Michael “Mike” Tuccelli was born profoundly deaf and was introduced to both American Sign Language and Deaf Culture at Gallaudet College at the age of 21 when he was placed in a summer Signed English class in 1968. As a transfer student, Mike met his classmates that fall where they ridiculed his Signed English. That experience caused him to make sure that when he presents at conferences, his students don’t endure that kind of rejection. Later, Mike was asked to teach American Sign Language at the University of Florida (UF). He taught at UF for 17 years and was twice honored as the Teacher of the Year! He, and his late wife Maureen, went on to establish the World’s Largest Silent Weekend that lasted 40 years. Tuccelli’s hobbies include operating a 55-acre gopher tortoise sanctuary in St. Augustine, Florida; and leading many motorcycle tours to Alaska. Currently, he resides with his amazing bride, Bonita, in Newberry, Florida. He is still presently active in evangelizing and teaching Deaf Ministry; which he has been doing since 1979.
Patrick Fischer
CDI; Certified American Sign Language Teachers Association - Master, Founder of Connecticut Deaf Theatre and Chair
Patrick “Mr. Shinyhead” Fisher is a dark tales author, International Storyteller, comedian, educator of visual languages, and advocate. Patrick is from several generations of artists from Germany and has extensive experience in theater and art. With his graphic design degree, he has earned many positions: artist, performer, director, and Director of Artistic Sign Language! Patrick is an award-winning educator, teaching ASL and dDeaf studies/dDeaf history, and is a Certified American Sign Language Teachers Association – Master. Patrick is one of the founders of Connecticut Deaf Theater and Chair.
Paul Jones
A.A., B.A. Biblical Studies, American Sign Language Storytelling, the Deaf Community and Culture
Paul Jones was born in Hartland, Connecticut and he became Deaf at the age of three. He graduated from the American School for the Deaf (ASD). Joe and Patricia Jones are the deaf parents of Paul and his brother, Mark, who is a CODA. He holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies and a Bachelors of Art in Criminal Justice. Paul has been a popular workshop teacher on a variety of topics for more than 30 years. Some of his more popular topics are Biblical Studies, American Sign Language Storytelling, the Deaf Community, and its’ culture. He is continuing to research in the areas of Bible Studies and aspects of Criminal Justice. Jones often shares his expertise in those areas of Deaf and interpreting communities to help them work more effectively together. His hobbies include traveling and completing logic puzzles. Paul’s sweetheart, Robyn, is currently a professor of American Sign Language in Texas. They enjoy traveling and sightseeing together.
Sandy Pascual
M.S., MBA, NIC, QMHI-S, OCHI, CoreCHI; Alabama Department of Mental Health, Office of Deaf Services
Sandy Pascual is trilingual with 22 years of interpreting experience. She initially began learning ASL to communicate with her cousin who is deaf and she quickly fell in love with the culture, language, and people. From there, she decided to pursue a degree from the ITP at Miami-Dade College. She began her career in Miami, Florida; and from 2017 to 2022, she worked in Portland, Oregon as a staff interpreter specializing in medical and mental health. Sandy holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Organizational Management and a Master of Science in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology from Albizu University. Pascual continuously collaborates with other BIPOC Professionals in the community and has served on numerous boards; including ORID and mono-a-mano. She’s the co-founder and co-facilitator of N-MHT, a new program under the ADMH-ODS offering quarterly trainings for individuals working in the combined languages of ASL, English, and Spanish. Sandy has led supervision and discussion groups and has presented on topics related to medical, mental, health, cultural, and linguistic demands in the interpreting field.
Sharon Lott
M.S., M.A., ASLTA Certified
Sharon Lott holds a Master of Arts in Teaching Sign Language from Gallaudet University and has a Master of Science in Career and Human Resource Development. She has recently retired from NTID/RIT as the American Sign Language Training and Evaluation Coordinator. She has extensive experience with the Sign Language proficiency Interview (SLPI:ASL) both as a SLPI rater and educator. Sharon’s expertise with American Sign Language has caused her to be a sought-after presenter, instructor, and faculty member. She has taught at numerous colleges and universities; Central Piedmont Community College, Lenior-Rhyne College, Western Piedmont Community College, Gardner Webb University, Appalachian University, and Eastern Kentucky University to name a few. Her knowledge and understanding of sign languages have afforded her the opportunity to provide training regarding the National SLPI: ASL educator in Ghana and Kenya, Africa. Formerly, she had the position of the Staff Development Specialist at the North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD) and Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD). As such, she coordinated and taught American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, Linguistics, and a variety of other sign-related topics at both schools. She possesses professional-level ASL Certification from the American Sign Language Teacher Association (ASLTA). She continues to serve as an ASLTA evaluator. Finally, on a personal note, she is the mother of three children; to Leslie, Christina, and James, and a proud grandmother to Lathan.
Shawn Norris
NIC, Ed K-12, President of the Florida Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (FRID)
William F. Ross IV
B.A., NIC, Staff Interpreter at the University of Florida
Wink Smith
MA, MBA, NIC Master, Travels Full-Time performing, and Founder of Winkshop, Inc
