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.
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.
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.