Lorie S. Delk, M.Ed., CCC-SLP is Founder and President of Next Generation, as well as a practicing speech-language pathologist and mother of four. Lorie graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Education degree in Speech Pathology in 1986. She graduated from Georgia State University College of Education with a Masters Degree in Speech Pathology in 1988. She began her career as a staff speech therapist at Atlanta Area School for the Deaf.  In 1999 she incorporated a home-based pediatric private practice into Lorie S. Delk and Associates. In 2012 Lorie created Next Generation to provide Speech, Language and Reading services to families serving around the world.  She specializes in treatment of Language Disorders. She also provides reading therapy, is trained in Orton Gillingham and Lindamood-Bell reading programs, and is the co-developer of the Up-Words Reading® program.

Karen Allen, M.Ed., CCC-SLP is Clinical Director for Next Generation, as well as a practicing speech pathologist and mother of two. Karen graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Education degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 1991. She graduated from the University of Georgia College of Education with a Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1992. Prior to joining Lorie S. Delk and Associates in 2001, Karen worked in private practice and with the Fulton County public school system. Karen specializes in treating communication difficulties for preschool children.

Jodi Lewis, M.Ed., CCC-SLP is a staff clinician with Next Generation and the mother of two. Jodi graduated from West Georgia College with a Bachelor of Education degree in Speech Pathology in 1987. She graduated from Georgia State University with a Masters Degree of Education in Speech Pathology in 1992. Prior to joining Lorie Delk and Associates in 2011, Jodi worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Coweta County School System, the Gwinnett County School System and in Private Practice.

Elizabeth Slay, M.A., CCC-SLP is a staff clinician with Next Generation Therapy Services. Elizabeth graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders with a minor in Psychology in 2012. She graduated from The University of Memphis with a Master of Arts degree in Speech Pathology in 2014. Prior to joining Next Generation in 2018, Elizabeth worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in various roles in hospitals, public school systems and private practice.   She and her husband, Danal, live in Peachtree Corners, GA.

Michelle Gritters is a Reading Specialist with Next Generation and mother of three grown children.  Michelle graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and continued her development in Education Administration at Illinois State University.  Michelle has extensive experience as a classroom teacher and curriculum development.  Michelle is certified in several literacy programs, including Orton Gillingham, and has been trained in the Up-Words Reading^® program.  Michelle’s more than 25 years of experience in the field and with her own children give her a unique perspective in teaching children and coaching parents to navigate the challenges education.  Michelle is married, loves golden retrievers and enjoys reading, traveling, and hiking.

Candice Smith is a Reading Specialist with Next Generation. Candice holds a Bachelors of Science in Education from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama which qualifies her to teach Kindergarten through 6th grade with specialization in Special Education and Collaborative studies. Prior to joining the Next Generation team, Candice was a classroom teacher teaching 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade over the course of 5 years. She is married and loves spending time reading, drinking coffee, being active and playing with her Golden Retriever, Jake. Candice is trained in the Up-Words Reading® program.

Phala Echols is the Director of Family Care for Next Generation Therapy Services. Phala (pronounced fay-la) graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In 1990, she moved to Bangkok and served as an administrative assistant for three years. After this assignment, Phala returned stateside where she attended Auburn University and received her Master’s degree in Secondary English Education in 1993. That same year, Phala began her teaching career in an 8th grade Language Arts classroom at Berry Middle School in Hoover, Alabama. In the three years she taught there, her love for students and teaching and education in general continued to grow. Next Phala made the move from Birmingham AL to Seoul, South Korea where she lived for 12 years and worked as an Educational Consultant with expat families living all over Asia.  A transition back to Thailand put her in a more central location for serving the expat students and their families that she continued to work with as the Lead Educational Consultant. After a total of 19 years in Asia, Phala relocated to Clinton, Mississippi where she works with international students at Mississippi College. Her nineteen years living overseas and working with expat families all over Asia has uniquely prepared her for the role of Director of Family Services with Next Generation Therapy Services. Phala has always been single and enjoys having guests in her home as well as cooking and baking from scratch.