About AADOM
A look behind the scenes at the team offering the best dental office management support in the industry.
AADOM's Mission Statement
We want you to know you’re not alone!
Meet the Founder, Heather Colicchio
“When I launched the American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM) in 2005, there were national organizations for dental hygienists, assistants and, of course, dentists, but none existed to meet the unique needs of the dental office manager.
“We remain committed to meeting the needs of dental office managers and practice administrators across the nation. We understand the unique challenges you face and want you to know that you are not alone!
“I created AADOM to fill the need for:
- An organization designed to foster a sense of community
- An educational resource for all things dental practice management
- Support in running a thriving dental practice
- A source for help, answers, and companionship
- A practical approach for continuing education for dental practice leaders
“AADOM members are the best and brightest in dentistry, and it is my privilege to have AADOM represent them.“
– Heather Colicchio, Founder & President.
“Many AADOM members don’t know this, but my husband is a neurologist, and I had tremendous respect for the abilities of my husband and the other doctors in his practice…but I also saw firsthand evidence that their practice could never be as successful and lucrative without the talents of their office manager, Mary.
“I knew that office managers in the dental care field might respond to and benefit from a dental office organization designed to foster a sense of community among them, one that would cater to their unique needs and help them thrive and succeed. My goal was to use my skills in business development and networking to create this association.
“To say that I recognized a need in the dental industry would be an understatement: Dental office managers heralded our arrival as one would welcome water in the desert. And over the years, AADOM’s membership has continued to grow at an astonishing pace.”
Meet the Full AADOM Team
Consider them your practice management consultants.
Founder and President
“I love the personal connections we have with AADOM members. We’ve created a TRIBE that is meaningful to so many dental office managers. Having members share with me that AADOM has literally changed their lives is more than I could have ever hoped for as a professional achievement. AADOM ROCKS!”
Heather Colicchio is the Founder and President of the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM). Heather has brought her background in business management and her unique skills in professional networking to help drive the success of AADOM, the largest professional organization of dental practice management professionals in the country. In 2003, when Heather was busy owning and operating her successful chain of gourmet cafes (as well as raising a toddler and a newborn), the furthest thing from her mind was starting a dental association, but life takes interesting turns sometimes.
Through a dentist friend of hers, Heather became aware of a niche in dentistry that was not being filled. There was a lack of resources and education available for dental practice administrators. She casually began putting people in touch to help them fill this need (kind of like a hobby), but her entrepreneurial spirit took effect and soon AADOM was born.
When AADOM reached over 1,000 members in less than two years, Heather sold her cafes to devote herself full-time to AADOM. It is now the largest professional association for dental business teams in the country, with 3,500+ members and hosts the country’s largest dental office management conference. Heather is frequently recognized for her visionary role and has served as an inspiration to many in business and dentistry.
She is particularly proud of how AADOM has empowered so many women in their professional development over the years. Heather was named one of the “Top 25 Women in Dentistry” in 2010. Heather claims she has the greatest job in the world. She loves Pete Townshend and practices Kundalini Yoga regularly.
Awards
- Top 25 Women In Dentistry 2010
- AADOM: Recognition Award from Oral Health America (OHA) 2015
Vice President, CTC, FAADOM
“As an office manager for 12 years, I have walked in your shoes. I would have given anything to have had a support system like the one AADOM provides for you – I was truly on an island.”
Lorie also owns, StreeterBuilt Coaching and Consulting, LLC. Her dental career spans 28 years, 12 of which were spent working in a dental practice. In 2015, Lorie was named one of the Top 25 Women in Dentistry by Dental Products Report magazine.
Lorie lives in Washington with her husband. She is an accomplished musician and songwriter who has performed nationwide and has opened for Rascal Flatts, Marty Stuart, Tracy Byrd, and Collin Raye. Lorie is also passionate about wellness and the mind-body connection. Check her out on YouTube. This is a song that Lorie and her son Rhett wrote about people living with chronic illness; it is now featured as the theme song for the Oral Cancer Cause.
Awards
- Top 25 Women in Dentistry
- Business Woman of the Year – Clovis Chamber of Commerce
- Soroptimist Citizenship Award
- Brand Champion Award – Nashville AADOM Conference, Nashville CVB
- AADOM Innovations Award
Executive Director
“AADOM members strive every day to better themselves and their practices. Our goal is to continuously provide resources and opportunities to help them do just that. It’s rewarding to see our Tribe of members grow and even more importantly to watch how they come together to help each other grow. AADOM members are simply the best!”
Kim brings more than 30 years of dental industry experience and passion to AADOM. In her role as the Executive Director, Kim’s responsibilities include managing the membership operations team, providing day-to-day member support, as well as developing membership programs and overseeing their execution. She is also the event planner for AADOM’s annual conference and other AADOM member events.
Kim lives in Florida with her husband, Bob. She has two grown daughters and two awesome grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys fishing, spending time at the beach and has a passion for cooking and golf.
Awards
- 2018 Expo Group Show Manager of the Year
- Top 25 Women in Dentistry – 2016
- Certificate of Distinction – The Shaw Academy
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 to systems, the AADOM website and conference sites. He is also responsible for all internal reporting and collateral production and fulfillment.
Dan has been in the dental industry for over 30 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 with their significant others, one grandson, and one bonus granddaughter. In his spare time Dan enjoys spending time with his family and is a rather large St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears fan!
National Chapter Program Director
Deb has a unique connection with AADOM members in that she was the managing partner in her family businesses for 35 years. She brings this added benefit to her role as she can relate to the challenges our members face with their teams, patients and practice owners.
Deb lives in southwest Florida with her husband Brian and dog, Cooper. They have three grown children, Taylor, Natalie and Brody, who all live in the Midwest. In her free time, Deb loves shopping, spending time with family and relaxing at the beach as much as possible.
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 three children, Ryan, Troy and Matti. 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.
Senior Marketing Manager
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.
