Meet the AADOM Team
With AADOM, you are no longer alone to manage your dental practice! We understand the unique challenges you face and are committed to providing the resources and support you need to succeed and thrive in dental office management.
Executive Vice President of Memberships and Events
Penny Reed is the Executive Vice President of Memberships and Events at the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM), where she draws on her deep roots as a former dental office manager to lead with empathy, insight, and a passion for helping managers turn their roles into thriving careers.
After starting her career in IT, Penny was recruited by her own dentist to manage his growing practice—a leap that launched more than 30 years in the dental industry as a coach, speaker, and consultant. Her hands-on experience managing a practice fuels her commitment to supporting AADOM members through education, community, and growth.
She’s been recognized as a Dentistry Today Leader in Dental Consulting every year since 2007 and is the author of Growing Your Dental Business. Penny continues to speak nationally on topics like leadership, communication, and team development, always championing the vital role dental office managers play in practice success.
She lives in Piperton, TN, with her husband Rob, and loves being “Yaya” to her granddaughter Willow, dreaming up her next Disney trip, and writing parody songs in her spare time.
Director of Events
Jodi Branch is a dynamic event professional with 9 years of experience leading the strategy and execution of large scale, high-impact events, particularly in the healthcare sector. She has successfully managed flagship conferences, sales meetings, product launches, and incentive programs.
At Dentsply Sirona, Jodi played a pivotal role in delivering one of the industry’s premier events, Dentsply Sirona World which hosted over 8,000 dental professionals at their annual event. Her expertise in strategic planning, and operational excellence has consistently resulted in seamless, high-quality event experiences.
Beyond execution, Jodi is a leader who thrives on fostering high-performing teams and creating a positive, solutions-oriented work environment. She believes in empowering her teams, encouraging innovation, and ensuring flawless execution to deliver events that are both fun and that drive measurable impact for the attendees. Jodi is excited to bring her leadership, strategic mindset, and passion for creating best-in-class event experiences to further elevate AADOM’s successful conference.
Jodi lives in Wilmington, NC with her husband and daughter. Outside of work, you can find her soaking up the sun at the beach, catching live music, or chasing her toddler through a local park. She also enjoys discovering new coffee shops, getting lost in a good book, riding her bike, and spending time with friends and family.
National Strategic Account Manager
“AADOM means tribe. AADOM means family. AADOM is support, connection, and encouragement. I am extremely proud to be a part of an association that not only offers these things to our members but treats the internal team with the same level of care. While many wake up each weekday dreading going to work, I look forward to the privilege of interacting with my co-workers and thousands of my AADOM family members and feeling the positive energy that is AADOM.”
Karin came on board at AADOM in 2011. She is the first point of contact for consultants, new sponsors, and conference exhibitors. You will see her roaming the floor at our annual conference and other dental industry meetings. Karin’s role is to introduce as many valuable resources, products, and services as possible to AADOM members. She is also the liaison for consultants interested in the AADOM Speaker Consultant Alliance (ASCA).
Karin’s background includes 40+ years of sales and marketing experience, including 13 years as an insurance agent. She was a top producer of new dental patients and revenue as a marketing specialist with the largest national provider of support services to general and multi-specialty dental groups. Karin was the first recipient of the Operations Team Award for Outstanding Teamwork and Dedication and was assigned to a task force to develop a national dental campaign that is still in force today.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Karin has lived in California since 1983. Karin lives with her daughter Simone and a Chihuahua/Terrier mix and a Miniature Schnauzer she calls the Hooligans. She is the ULTIMATE foodie and loves gourmet cooking, traveling, music, art, and entertaining. She is excited to be working with such a talented, dedicated team and even more so to be working on your behalf!
Awards
- AADOM Watch Us Grow award
- Smile Brands Operations Team Award for Outstanding Teamwork and Dedication
- Leadership Award – Visalia Chamber of Commerce
- Rookie of the Year award – Visalia Chamber of Commerce
Project Manager
“It is my pleasure and privilege to work with this amazing AADOM team, members and companies. It is rewarding to be a part of such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic tribe of professionals providing the resources for our members to continually learn and grow both professionally and personally.”
Trish is AADOM’s Project Manager working with Lorie Streeter, Karin Bennett, AADOM’s sponsors, and vendors. She is responsible for the coordination of projects and activities including webinars, the Observer magazine, The Going Green Initiative, and AADOM Speaker and Consultant Alliance projects.
Trish brings over 25 years’ experience in the areas of sales and marketing working a variety of businesses and non-profit community service organizations throughout California’s central valley.
Trish was born and raised in California and enjoys being involved in her community. She has served on the board of directors for Networking for Women and Visalians for Sober Graduation and volunteered with several organizations including the American Cancer Society, College of the Sequoias Foundation, Downtown Visalians and the Visalia Parks and Recreation Foundation. She lives in California with her three rescue dogs and enjoys community theater, events, and concerts. She is excited to be working with such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team of professionals!
Membership Services Representative
“I admire AADOM’s commitment to its members and I am proud to be a part of the AADOM family. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have been given and I look forward to working with the AADOM members each day.”
Tina works on AADOM’s Membership Services team as a Membership Services Representative. She works closely with members handling day to day communications, answering questions, on-boarding new members, and so much more. If it involves our members, then Tina is there! “I’m excited to be a part of AADOM and to provide support to our members to help them grow!” Tina has worked in the dental industry for more than 25 years. She brings a background in operations and customer support and a dedication to making things happen!
Tina lives in Tennessee with her husband Mark and their 3 Labs. She has 4 grown children and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys boating, fishing, swimming, camping and spending time with family.
Operations Manager
Dan Harpst is AADOM’s Operations Manager. As the association has grown we recognized the need for an individual to help us update our internal systems and operations, making them more efficient. Dan oversees the internal operations of the organization, specifically as they relate the AADOM to the website and Learning Management System. He is also responsible for all internal reporting and collateral production and fulfillment.
Dan has been in the dental industry over 35 years and has worked within the operations arena for most of that time. He brings additional experience in process development and procurement to his role as Operations Manager.
Dan lives in Illinois with his wife Stephanie. They have three grown sons, two of which with their significant others, and one grandson. In his spare time Dan enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering with two non-profit organizations for the benefit of children, and is a rather large St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears fan!
National Sponsor Project Manager
“The thing I love best about AADOM and working as a team member is the feeling of ‘family’ at all different levels of the association. Working with the national team, our amazing members, and incredible sponsors, there is always a wonderful feeling of family, inclusion and excitement around being a part of this tribe!”
As AADOM’s National Sponsor Project Manager, Lisa is responsible for the execution of our national sponsor’s marketing deliverables, communicating with sponsors about their marketing pieces and helping them achieve their marketing goals. She is a liaison for our Corporate Member sponsors and AADOM-sponsored local study clubs to assist both groups with their sponsorship objectives.
Lisa has over 40 years experience in the dental industry in the areas of marketing, product engineering, methods and procedures/training, and management. Along with her work experience, Lisa brings her core values of integrity, reliability, and respect for others.
She lives in Illinois with her wife Susie and their two cats, Sofia and Abbie. She enjoys being outside and taking advantage of the walking/hiking trails in local area parks, reading, watching classic movies, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
New Member and Distinctions Program Coordinator
“I enjoy working with each and every one of our AADOM members, whether they are asking questions about their membership or working towards a distinction. It is my pleasure to talk with and support members as they continue to grow professionally and personally. I am very proud to be a part of the AADOM team.”
Kim Huchel serves as AADOM’s New Member Concierge. Kim is responsible for providing the best possible onboarding experience for our new members. She is the friendly voice checking in periodically with new members to make sure they are making the most of their new membership and is always available to answer any questions members, (even veteran AADOM Tribe Members), have about their membership benefits, or the association in general.
Kim has a special connection with new members in that she herself worked as a dental office manager. She brings this added benefit to her role as she can relate to the challenges our members face, and can direct them to the resources at their disposal.
Kim lives in Illinois with her husband Rob. They have three children. In her free time, Kim loves making holiday and school wreaths, walking and spending time with her family. She especially loves watching her daughter Matti play softball.
Member Services Project Manager
“I enjoy working with each and every one of our AADOM members, whether they are asking questions about their membership or working towards a distinction. It is my pleasure to talk with and support members as they continue to grow professionally and personally. I am very proud to be a part of the AADOM team.”
Senior Marketing Manager
Having grown up in a dental family, Kelly has a deep appreciation for how optimal dental care improves overall health and boosts self-esteem. With “boots on the ground” experience as the marketing director for a progressive, multi-dentist cosmetic practice and on a practice management consulting team working with practices across the country, she understands the hard work it takes to grow a thriving practice.
Kelly brings that passion to her role here at AADOM. She’s proud to help support dental office leaders with education, community, and resources so they can pursue the mission of enhancing smiles and changing lives.
Kelly and her husband, Leigh, live in the Minneapolis area and have three grown children. They love to spend time at their family cabin, travel, hike, play tennis, and stay active.
Success Manager
“It’s been my privilege to work closely with the tribe since 2016, first as a sponsor, and now as a part of the AADOM team! AADOM members are true leaders in their practices, families, and communities and I love being a part of an organization that empowers these dynamic individuals to continue to learn, connect, and grow.”
As AADOM’s Success Manager, Whitney Speir works closely with companies to help them provide valuable resources and education for AADOM members. With a background as a former sponsor, Whitney has a unique perspective to advise marketing and sales teams on best practices and ways they can provide top-notch content for AADOM’s audience.
A self-described “marketing nerd” (glasses and all!), Whitney’s background includes more than 20 years in marketing and design, with 15+ years working with the dental industry. Her passion has long included helping dental professionals learn how to implement simple yet proven marketing strategies that get BIG results.
Together with her husband of 20 years, Jonathan, Whitney now lives in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, after growing up in Northern California and then living for a decade in Seattle, Washington. When she’s not immersed in her AADOM role, Whitney enjoys volunteering in her community, trying new recipes, nature walks, snuggling with her French bulldog Bavette, and traveling to sunny destinations!
Membership Services Representative
“I love being a part of AADOM and providing support to our members by helping them find what resources they need to grow and reach their goals. It’s a very rewarding experience!”
Ashlie works on AADOM’s Membership Services team as a Membership Services Representative. She works closely with members by handling any questions they may have, on-boards new members and more.
Ashlie lives in Nashville, TN. She has worked in the dental industry and comes from a dental family. Her mom is a dental consultant/speaker and her dad owns a practice in downtown Nashville. She enjoys reading, traveling, concerts and spending time with family and friends.