Speech Pathology Services of East Tennessee currently employs 11 certified Speech-Language Pathologists who hold certificates of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). In addition, 20 Speech-Language Pathology Assistants support our SLPs.

Bobbie Beckmann, MA, CCC-SLP, Founder and President
Bobbie has always believed in bringing quality speech and language therapy to children who need it most. She continues that mission by building Speech Pathology Services of East Tennessee (SPSET) into a strong team of therapists who pool their expertise to reach the largest number of children with the highest level of specialized service.

Bobbie began her career in the late 1970's, when she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Hearing and her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Previous positions include:
  • School Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Director of the Preschool at Daniel Arthur Rehabilitation Center
  • Special Education Coordinator at the University of Tennessee Child Development Laboratory
  • Adjunct Professor in the Special Education Department at UTK
  • Planning Committee Member and Preschool Director for the Innovative Ft. Craig School of Dynamic Learning in Maryville, Tennessee
  • Special Education Director for Blount County Schools


In 1989, she started her own company to deliver speech and language therapy in a private practice setting. In 2001, she began working with Project TEACH, a program developed by the State of Tennessee to bring clinical therapy to children from low-income families.

“When I found out that through Project TEACH, we could provide the same, high quality clinical services to children below the poverty level, I knew my mission,” Bobbie says. “We can now provide services to all children regardless of their family's income level".

“By growing the company, we will be able to help even more of the most needy children. By pooling our expertise, we build a synergy that is even stronger than the sum of each of us. As a result, every time one of us touches a child, we all touch that child.”

The company supports a variety of community and civic projects, including the Speech and Hearing Foundation, which provides therapy and hearing devices to people in impoverished, third-world countries.

SPSET has grown tremendously over the past few years, growing to a staff of approximately 25 therapists and a support staff. Bobbie notes that the company is still growing, planning to add approximately 10 additional therapists and managers to its staff.

“We’re looking for people from around the country who crave the unsurpassed quality of life that East Tennessee offers,” Bobbie says. “As we grow, we need all levels of expertise, from SLP’s with 10 years of experience, to assistant SLP’s with five years of experience, to therapists who also have a desire and capacity to move into management.”

Contact us by sending an email message to info@spset.com.
Barbara Poulsen, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist–Barbara received her Bachelors Degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences from Ohio University in 1972 and completed her Master of Arts in Audiology and Speech Pathology from the University of Denver in 1974. She has held a variety of positions serving children with communication disorders. Barbara worked at Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio and was the East Tennessee Regional Director of Speech and Hearing Services for the State of Tennessee. She started her own private practice in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and worked for other private practices in Virginia and Ohio. Barbara initiated early intervention services for a group of Pediatricians in San Antonio, Texas, was a public school therapist in Ohio and Tennessee. She is currently working for Speech Pathology Services of East Tennessee and serves a Team Leader in Monroe and McMinn County Schools.
Mary Wilson, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist–Mary received her B.S. in Hearing and Speech Sciences from Ohio University in 1972, and her Master of Arts in Speech Pathology from Marshall University in 1975. Mary then received her ASHA Certification in 1976. She attended Eastern Michigan University ad completed the requirements for her Teacher Certification in 1993. She has earned more than 200 hours of continuing education, with emphasis on neurologically based communication disorders. She has presented more than 25 workshops at local and state levels on various topics including Educational Management of Traumatic Brain Injury, Uses of Technology, Social Communication Skills, and Strategies for Language Organization. Mary currently serves as Area Director for the Northern District which covers Alcoa City, parts of Blount County and Sevier County Schools.
Liz Stewart, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist–Liz received her Bachelors Degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN in 2000. It was here that she gained her first experiences working with children in the clinical Setting. Liz then received her Masters Degree from the University of Tennessee in 2002. Liz has furthered her knowledge through her work with Speech Pathology Services of East Tennessee. Liz currently serves as Area Director for the Southern District which covers Monroe County, Athens City, and McMinn County Schools.
Tara Jo Stalsworth, Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Tara Jo attained her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Tennessee in 2001. She began working with Speech Pathology Services of East Tennessee immediately after graduation. She currently serves as the SLPA Coordinator and a Team Leader in Blount County.
Annette Lunneman, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist–Annette moved to Tennessee when her husband was transferred in 1993. She completed her Associates Degree in Arts and Sciences from Pellissippi State Community College in 1997. She completed her Bachelors Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from UT in 1999. She then completed her Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2001. She began working with Speech Pathology Services of East Tennessee upon graduation. Annette currently serves as the Athens City Project TEACH Team Leader.
Linda Lairamore, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist–Linda received her Bachelors in Speech and Hearing from the University of Tennessee in 1985. She received her Masters in 1996. Linda began working for Knoxville/Knox County Headstart as a Speech Therapist in 1985. In 1987 she began working for the Blount County School System. In 1997 she began working at the Therapy Center in Knoxville. In 1999 she began working with Speech Pathology Services of East Tennessee where she plans to retire from someday.
Heather Kimberly, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist–Heather graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1993 with her master’s degree. She completed her CCC’s and CFY in Atlanta, Georgia. During her time in Georgia she held a variety of positions including: Acute Care, ICU, Outpatient/Inpatient Rehabilitation, Pediatrics, and Home Health for an area hospital. In these positions she worked with patients that had stroke, head injury, and cognitive disorders. Heather also served on several committees and assisted her Program Manager with protocols, procedures, manuals, and Accreditation processes. Heather currently serves as the Area Director for the Middle District which covers Lenoir City, Loudon County, parts of Blount County, and Maryville City Schools.
Maureen Wise, BS, SLPA, Speech Language Pathology Assistant-Maureen received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the University of Iowa in 1989. After taking time for marriage and raising a family, Maureen signed on as a Substitute Teacher for School District 145 in Oak Forest, Illinois. There she had the opportunity to substitute in Special Education rooms, including contracting for the maternity leave of an LD teacher which included joint-teaching Reading to special needs students. After moving to East Tennessee in 2003, Maureen came to Speech Pathology Services and now serves as Team Leader for the Athens City Schools Contract.
Chanada Robinson, BA, SLPA – Chanada graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.  She came to work at Speech Pathology Services of East TN, LLC right after graduation and now works as a Team Leader and SLPA in the Lenoir City and Loudon County School System.
Kristi Correll, MA, CCC-SLP – Kristi earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology in 1997.  She received her Mater’s Degree in Speech Pathology in 1999 at the University of Tennessee.  Following graduation, Kristi has worked as an SLP in a variety of settings including: outpatient/inpatient rehabilitation, hospital, home health, skilled nursing facilities and school systems.  Kristi came to work at Speech Pathology Services of East TN, LLC in 2006 and currently serves as an SLP for the Monroe County School System.
Kristi Foos, MS, CCC-SLP – Kristi attended the University of Central Oklahoma, majoring in Speech-Language Pathology.  She graduated with her Bachelor’s in 2001 and her Master’s in 2003.  Following graduation, Kristi moved to Tennessee where she worked in Marion County at Whitwell Elementary School for 3 years.  Kristi went to work with Speech Pathology Services of East TN, LLC in 2006 where she serves as an SLP for McMinn County Schools.
Marilyn Marshall, MA, CCC-SLP – Marilyn Born in Gadsden, Alabama
B.A., Judson College
M.A., University of Alabama, Elementary Education
M.A., University of Northern Colorado, Communication Disorders
Married with 2 adult sons
In my spare time, I like to read, travel, watch foreign films [my favorite is mysteries], and exercise.
Candice Coleman, BS, SLPA – Candice received her Bachelor’s Degree from Cumberland College in 2002.  It was here she began her first experiences working with children in a Social Work Setting.  She began working with Speech Pathology Services of East TN, LLC in the spring of 2004.  She currently serves the children of Sevier County as an SLPA and Team Leader.
Kathy Ferguson, MS, CCC-SLP – Kathy graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Communication Disorders in 1995.  Kathy received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1998 from Tennessee State University.  She has worked for Speech Pathology Services of East TN, LLC since August 2003.  Kathy currently serves on the Blount County team as an SLP.
Robin Miles, BS, SLPA – Robin received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders in 1997 from Murray State University in Kentucky.  She worked as a school speech therapist in West Tennessee for 5 years before joining Speech Pathology Services of East TN, LLC in 2005.  She now serves as a Team Leader for Northern Blount County.
Terri DeLapp, MCD, CCC-SLP , Team Leader - Terri joined SPSET, LLC in November, 2005.  She has 26 years of experience in working with children with low incidence disorders, both in hospital and educational settings.   She has incredible training and experience in treating children with autism.  Her experiences in augmentative alternative communication are quite extensive.  Terri has a wealth of knowledge about our field and is a great teacher and trainer, both for our staff and for colleagues who attend our Seminar Series.  She and her husband moved to East TN from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.    As Team Leader, she brings her expertise to our children in Alcoa and Maryville City School Systems, a part of Northern Area.