Leadership & Operations
Barry Epstein
Director
Barry Epstein founded Current Technology, Inc., which developed and constructed the first Power Siftor®. The company soon expanded to a dominant position in the electrical power quality field and is now part of a company traded on the NYSE. Epstein's career has focused on consulting and patent development for computer, electrical power, and communication applications.
Thus far, Epstein has been granted two patents and four trademarks for HEAR US NOW®. In total, Epstein has been awarded 52 United States and foreign patents.
Passionate advocates for the arts, Barry and his wife, Paddy, serve on several executive boards. Barry received an award from the Broadway League in New York for the assistive listening efforts at the Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas. Barry chaired the first Patron Experience Committee for the Dallas Summer Musicals. Barry was also honored for his sound efforts by Dallas Summer Musicals. Paddy and Barry were also honored by Broadway Dallas for the hearing assist technology, outreach to the hearing-impaired community, and contributions to the Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theater Awards Program.
A distinguished alumnus of Purdue University and winner of the College of Engineering Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award and Outstanding Electrical Engineer by the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Barry is a connector of people, collaborating to advance every project he champions. He has also served as Chairman of the Advisory Board for Electrical Engineering and on the search committee for a new Dean of Electrical Engineering.
Paddy Epstein
Director
Patricia (Paddy) Epstein has a BS in Education. She has taught children in a New Jersey school system and several Dallas museums. Among her interests are teaching and developing educational opportunities for youth.
Paddy has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and as president of two. She has written and led leadership development programs for nonprofit board members and programs to facilitate key staff-level transitions. She has chaired many fun events, fundraisers, and a committee to make a significant addition to an existing building.
Paddy's passion for the arts is evident in her involvement with the Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theater Awards Program. This program, one of the largest in the United States, has significantly benefitted from her support.
Paddy has steadfastly supported the Hear Us Now efforts since its inception. Her commitment to advocacy and social causes is evident in the various ways she has contributed to this vital initiative.
Craig Janssen
Director
Managing Principal, Salas O’Brien
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 Audiovisual association, and serves on the Urban Land Institute's Entertainment Council. Passionate about venues' power to provide transformational experiences, Craig advocates for HEAR US NOW's mission.
Steven Sanders
Director
President, Sanders and Company, LLC
Steven J. Sanders is an attorney and State Bar of Texas member. He is also a practicing Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He is currently the President of the CPA firm Sanders & Company LLC, located in Dallas, Texas. He has previously served as the managing partner of the Dallas office of a national CPA firm and was the tax director and managing partner of a predecessor CPA firm. He has worked with and assisted entrepreneurs and attorneys in developing new technologies and processes. He has extensive experience consulting on tax and accounting matters involving various businesses and tax-exempt organizations.
He also serves on the Board of another tax-exempt organization and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Advisory Committee
Michael Dubner
Partner, Foley & Lardner
As a registered patent attorney with Foley & Lardner, LLP, Michael Dubner serves as Dallas Office Chair of Intellectual Property. Michael’s practice involves all aspects of intellectual property law, with particular emphasis on domestic and international patent and trademark procurement and representing clients in connection with technology transactions, including negotiating professional services agreements, technology development agreements, cloud-based service agreements, technology and software licenses, and service level agreements. In addition, Michael regularly counsels clients regarding the avoidance of third-party intellectual property rights by identifying such rights, giving opinions concerning non-infringement and validity, and counseling clients concerning non-infringing alternatives. Mike was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in Litigation–Intellectual Property (2016 – 2024).
Ryan Knox
AVP, Salas Obrien
Ryan Knox is an acoustician, audio designer, FOH mixer, and puzzle solver. 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 complex problems and improving live event experiences, Ryan provides engineering and expertise to the HEAR US NOW team.
Bruce Lescalleet
President, Idea 2 Image
Bruce Lescalleet has over 40 years of experience creating marketing programs for the technology, banking, real estate, and consumer goods sectors. His specialties include strategy and creative for new product introduction, branding, website SEO, UI, and UX for regional, national, and international companies under his firm, Idea 2 Image.
Mike Richman
VP Marketing, Broadway Dallas
Mike Richman has diverse work experience that spans over several years. Mike began his career in 1989 as a Vice President at Live Nation, where he worked until 2003. Following this, he served as the President and Owner of Backstage Pass Entertainment Marketing from 2003 to 2008. Mike then joined SHN Presents as the Vice President and General Manager from 2008 to 2013. In 2013, they joined AT&T Performing Arts Center as the Executive Vice President of Revenue, overseeing various aspects of its operations until 2018. Currently, Mike Richman is Vice President of Marketing at Broadway Dallas.
Mike Richman completed his Bachelor's degree in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin from in 1989.
Ira Rubenstein
Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, PBS
As PBS's Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Ira Rubenstein leads digital consumer experiences, marketing, and distribution for PBS. Ira also oversees the business intelligence group and leads comprehensive marketing programs to acquire, retain, and engage audiences across platforms to benefit member stations.
Long an active advocate for the hearing impaired, Rubenstein is Vice Chair and Chair-Elect of the Hearing Loss Association of America, the leading association for the hearing impaired with over 120 chapters nationwide.
Ira also served as Executive Vice President of Digital Marketing for 20th Century Fox. Before joining Fox, Rubenstein was Executive Vice President of Marvel Entertainment’s Global Digital Media Group and Sony Pictures' Executive Vice President of Content Strategy and Acquisitions.
Ira holds a B.A. in Management Science from the University of California, San Diego, and has an M.F.A. from the Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and the Producers Guild of America. He has also been recognized on the PGA’s “Digital 50” list, honoring new media innovators.
Gary Solomon
Partner, Foley & Lardner
Gary Solomon is a patent attorney with Foley & Lardner LLP; Gary is a member of the firm's Electronics Practice, which focuses on patent preparation, prosecution, and the monetization and protection of these intellectual property assets.
Gary has years of experience prosecuting various strategic patent applications for high-tech and low-tech innovations. Having worked with startup companies in both engineering and legal capacities for more than three decades, including ten years as a practicing engineer and more than 25 years as a patent attorney, Gary has the experience to counsel startups on how to leverage IP to support business and technology execution and exit strategies. Gary is a cum laudee (each university) graduate of Tufts, University of Colorado, and Suffolk University.
Dr. Linda Thibodeau
Professor, University of Texas
Dr. Linda Thibodeau, a Professor at the University of Texas Callier Center for Communication and Brain Disorders, is known for her work on assistive technology for people with hearing loss. Her recent research has focused on evaluating technology for improving speech recognition in noisy situations. Linda has received the Frederick S. Berg Award in Educational Audiology and the Cheryl DeConde Johnson Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in educational audiology. She has also been a delegate to the National Summit on Disabilities.
One of her passions is developing additional entertainment/social opportunities for the hearing impaired. She has developed and managed a popular annual week-long program for hearing-impaired adults and their spouses/partners. Her similar efforts for children include one-week summer camps for hearing-impaired youth, including ‘Camp Frozen’ and ‘Camp Aladdin’ in conjunction with Broadway Dallas, Disney, UTD Callier, and HEAR US NOW, plus one-day events for ‘Aladdin’ and ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ in conjunction with Broadway Dallas and ‘Frozen’ at Bass Concert Hall, Austin.
Deborah Ann Trimble
VP Development, Broadway Dallas
Deborah Ann Trimble is Vice President of Development at Broadway Dallas. Trimble is a certified fundraising executive who has served in senior management development roles in presenting and producing theaters nationwide.
In New York City, Deborah served as Vice President of Development at The New 42nd Street, the largest performing arts and arts education provider for children and families through The New Victory Theater, and the builder and operator of The 42nd Street Studios, Broadway's premier rehearsal facility. Before 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.