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.

Leslie Whitten, M.Ed. is a reading specialist with Next Generation and the mother of three. Leslie graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989. She graduated from Mercer University with a Masters Degree of Education in 1995 and earned an Educational Specialist degree from the University of Alabama in 2001. Prior to joining Lorie S. Delk and Associates in 2013, Leslie worked as an elementary classroom teacher for 14 years. Leslie is trained in Orton Gillingham and in the Up-Words Reading® program.

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.

Kara King Brunelle, B.S. is a reading specialist with Next Generation. Kara graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Special Education in 2011. Kara also teaches Special Education at Sharon Elementary School. Kara is trained in Orton Gillingham and Lindamood-Bell reading programs.

Jessica Kersting, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with Next Generation, as well as a mother of three. Jessica graduated from Auburn University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders. She graduated from the University of Memphis with a Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology in 2005. Jessica worked with pediatric clients in a variety of settings before completing her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Carolina in 2012. She has published her research and presented her work on language and literacy disorders in children at national conferences. Before moving to Atlanta, she worked as an Assistant Professor at Western Michigan University where she taught courses in language development and served as a clinical supervisor for pediatric clients. Jessica specializes in language and literacy disorders in preschool and school age children.  Jessica assisted with the development of Level 3 of the Up-Words Reading® early literacy program.