Leadership & Operations
Barry Epstein
Director
Barry Epstein founded Current Technology, Inc. developed and constructed the first Power Siftor®. The company soon expanded to a dominant position in the electrical power quality field and is part of a company traded on the NYSE. Epstein’s career has focused on consulting and patent development for computer, power and communication applications.
Passionate advocates for the arts, Barry and his wife, Paddy, serve at the executive level on a number of boards. Barry chaired the first Patron Experience Committee for the Dallas Summer Musicals.
A distinguished alumnus from Purdue University and winner of the university’s Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineer Award, Barry is a connector of people, collaborating to bring advancements in every project he champions.
Craig Janssen
Director
Craig Janssen is an expert in design for spaces where thousands come together to share an experience. As an international facility strategist serving architects, venue owners, and developers, Craig leads a multidisciplinary team of technology designers, acousticians, and theatre planners for Salas O'Brien.
Craig holds two patents—one in audio engineering and another in facility planning. He is a Past-President of AVIXA (InfoComm) —the international Audio Visual association—and serves on the Urban Land Institute’s Entertainment Council. Passionate about the power of venues to provide transformational experiences, Craig is an advocate for the mission of Hear Us Now.
Ryan Knox
Consulting
Ryan Knox is an acoustician, audio designer, FOH mixer, and solver of puzzles. He has provided consulting and design for high-profile venues such as The New World Center, Powell Hall, The Meyerson Symphony Center, Music Hall Fair Park, Dodger Stadium, Epic’s Deep Space and Enterprise Center Arena.
Ryan specializes in acoustically complex venues and helps clients achieve better listening environments through applied physics. With a passion for solving difficult problems and improving live event experiences, Ryan provides engineering and expertise to the Hear Us Now team.
Cathy Hutchison
Consulting
Cathy Hutchison is a content creator and marketer with a talent for helping people tell their stories. An avid student of how technology is both shaping and fueling the ways groups connect, Cathy writes for a number of publications on topics related to how we gather and share experiences.
Cathy serves as the VP of Marketing for Acoustics and Technology for Salas O'Brien. She provides marketing support for the Hear Us Now team.
Respected Advisors
Dr. Linda Thibodeau
Advisor
Dr. Linda Thibodeau, Professor at the University of Texas Callier Center for Communication and Brain Disorders is known for her work on assistive technology for persons with hearing loss. Her recent research has focused on the evaluation of technology for improvement of speech recognition in noisy situations. Linda has received the Frederick S. Berg Award in Educational Audiology and the Cheryl DeConde Johnson Award recognizing outstanding achievement in educational audiology. She also has been a delegate to the National Summit on Disabilities.
One of her passions is developing additional entertainment/social opportunities for the hearing impaired, including a one week ‘Camp Aladdin’ for hearing impaired youth in conjunction with, Dallas Summer Musicals, Disney and Hear Us Now. She has also developed and managers a popular annual week-long program for hearing impaired adults and their spouses/partners.
Deborah Ann Trimble
Advisor
Deborah Ann Trimble is Vice President of Development at Dallas Summer Musicals. A certified fundraising executive, Deborah Ann Trimble has served in senior management development roles in presenting and producing theatres across the country.
In New York City, Deborah was Vice President of Development at The New 42nd Street, the largest provider of performing arts and arts education for children and families through The New Victory Theater, and the builder and operator of The 42nd Street Studios, Broadway’s premier rehearsal facility. Prior to that, Deborah served as Development Director for La Jolla Playhouse, home to Broadway hits Come From Away, Memphis, and Jersey Boys, among others. In Sarasota, FL, Deborah held positions as Development Director at Asolo Repertory Theatre and Campaign Director at Sarasota Orchestra.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from the University at Buffalo and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Buffalo State College.