Jaime (Vernon) MotesFounder/Executive Director

Jaime combined her passion for people living with hearing loss based on her daughter's story, and her education, experience in sales, marketing and development to start Songs for Sound. Since 2011, Jaime has been managing the charity and every program, fundraiser and mission.

Director of Audiology and Customer Care

Dr. Facer holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Colorado State University, Master of Science from Purdue University and Doctor of Audiology from the University of Florida.

Jason Hopper is a unilateral cochlear implant recipient, having received his implant in 2011 at the age of 34 years old. Jason has profound hearing loss that is believed to be a result of an illness as a toddler, however it was not discovered until he was in first grade. Over time his hearing worsened. Jason went through school, college and the start of his career without any devices. During this difficult time, he continued to be involved in many activities, organizations and several sports. Jason found hearing aids were not helpful as he learned he had “mixed hearing loss”, having both conductive and sensorineural loss. Jason’s hearing loss was greatly affecting all areas of his life, so he decided it was time to learn more about cochlear implants.

Jason’s “aha moment” happened when his first child began to speak and he realized he was missing out on hearing her voice. Jason tells us “getting a cochlear implant has been life changing and has allowed me to be able to experience life at a whole new level.”

Professionally, Jason is an accounting and finance professional with over 24 years of experience in corporate accounting in a variety of industries, as well as owning a small tax preparation business on the side. Most recently Jason spent 8 years in roles as a Controller and VP of Finance for a company that provides foreign language and ASL interpreting via video for hospitals and medical facilities all over the US. Jason recently joined a new venture with a startup company as Director of Accounting, arising from his passion to help a company grow from the ground up. Jason has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a Major in Accounting and a Masters Degree in Business Administration - both from Ashland University.

From his teenage years one, Jason has been involved as a leader in a number of organizations. Jason has coached numerous youth sports teams and is currently President of Marysville Mitts Travel Baseball organization in Marysville, Ohio. Previous leadership include Treasurer then President of Ostrander Youth Athletic Association, Treasurer then President of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Ashland University, President of Ashland Rugby Club at Ashland University.

We are truly excited to announce Jason as our new Board of Directors President. We believe he will both help us better prepare and maintain budgets, financial records, while working with our accountant and tax accountant to plan for future financial success. Jason will continue to help us plan for programs through his passion for people living with hearing loss.

Charlene is a passionate about serving the needs of the deaf/HoH working for Cochlear Americas as a Territory Manager. Charlene is also an excellent cochlear implant Audiologist. Being a native of Jamaica, we were introduced to Charlene by our friends at Cochlear Americas to help support our mission work in Jamaica. Through this support and thanks to Charlene’s expertise as both an audiologist and a native of Jamaica, we’ve refined our missions in Jamaica.

Prior to Charlene’s board involvement, we were hosting missions that were not sustainable in Jamaica. Jamaica has only one audiologist who is soon retiring. There is no hearing healthcare system in Jamaica and other developing nations. Moving forward, thanks to Charlene’s leadership, we will focus on helping to build a hearing healthcare system in Jamaica as a model for other developing nations. Our plans are to conduct hearing missions with free screenings, prepare a demography report and meet with local leaders, both community and governmental, to garner support for this initiative.

While Charlene will roll off the board in July 2024, we hope to continue working with her to build international hearing healthcare in the Caribbean.

Nick started his career in the music industry. For 10 years, he booked tours and helped manage artist careers (at CAA, a global talent agency). Nick states, “no two artists are the same and neither is their path. By developing a game plan to release music or announce tour dates, we'd have a strategy not only to follow but to measure success. I use these past experiences to help my clients today.”

Nick was recruited to Edward Jones by a veteran financial advisor. His passion for how he served his clients lit a fire in Nick that he didn't know existed. He realized a career with Edward Jones could offer him the opportunity to do exactly what he wanted and loved to do, which is making a difference in the lives of others. Since joining Edward Jones, Nick has expanded to serve over 300 clients and enjoy working with people, including networking to cast a wider net. The biggest goal he’s already realized at Edward Jones is opening his own office a year and a half ahead of schedule in the Burton Hills community.

We are very excited for Nick to join the Board to help with post-pandemic financial recovery, financial planning for healthy future balance sheets and to assist in the 2025 capital campaign planning for the first ever (Hardaway’s) Hope House and other programs.

On a personal note, my wife, Ashley, and I live in East Nashville with our daughter, Evelyn, and our two dogs, Jules and Lola. We enjoy spending time outside, hanging with friends or playing golf. Also, we like to travel.

Stephanie Grear is originally from Augusta, Ga and made her way back to Nashville this past year. She has a Masters in Education of the Deaf and a Masters in Speech Language Pathology. She has worked with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population for the past 15 years all over the Southeast. She ran an oral school in Chattanooga, TN and most recently was a Clinical Territory Manager for Cochlear Americas. She now works for Medtronic in the ENT division. She has always had a passion for helping the deaf and hard of hearing population and is excited to join Songs for Sound in their quest for hearing loss awareness.

Stephanie is a dynamic leader and extremely passionate about service and engagement. Between her passion for the deaf/HoH, her enthusiasm and intelligence we believe Stephanie will greatly help us better plan and execute our programs and fundraising events. Already, Stephanie has made major impacts engaging support and volunteerism at no-cost to the charity. We are truly excited about Stephanie joining the board.

Dr. Gina Angley is the audiologist and owner of Nashville's Hearing & Communication Center (NHCC) located in Nashville, TN. She specializes in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of adults with hearing loss. Prior to opening NHCC, she served as the Associate Director of the Adult Amplification program at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, as well as the Clinical Trials Coordinator. She earned her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 2010, prior to which, she received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Syracuse University.

After years of seeing how the hearing industry has created a poor public perception, Dr. Gina is driven to demystify and disrupt the hearing industry for patients. She empowers all patients with knowledge so they can make the best decisions for their hearing healthcare, and gold standard care is the only care her patients receive.

While originally from Princeton, New Jersey, over the past 16 years, Dr. Gina, her husband and their dogs have loved becoming a part of the Bellevue, Pegram, and Kingston Springs communities. They enjoy traveling, outdoor activities, and being on or near any body of water.

Songs for Sound is so excited about the addition of Dr. Angley. We believe she will be critical in the success of both our outreach and our Care Team service models, helping us improve moving people in need into technology and therapies that change lives.

Cassie Erickson is a graduate of Florida State University originally from Fort Myers, FL and made her way to Nashville this past year. She currently works in the Sales and Service department with the Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena. She has a passion for entertainment, sales and philanthropic efforts in the Nashville community. She was involved with Childrens Miracle Network Hospital throughout her college career and looks forward to continuing to make an impact in others' lives. She first discovered her passion for helping the deaf and hard of hearing population in elementary school and is excited to join Songs for Sound leadership.

Songs for Sound is very excited Cassie is joining our board. Her knowledge in sales and events will be very helpful to our efforts in fundraising, grants and events. Cassie will be able to support our vision to enhance the experience at our mobile clinic, making sure we are moving people to take action for their hearing health.