Dispenser Of The Year
Each year, the association honors one of its members with the coveted THAA Dispenser of the Year Award. The award is given to the licensed dispenser who practices the highest standard of ethics when serving the hearing impaired of Texas. THAA is proud to announce its 2008 Dispenser of the Year is Christopher Czop, BC-HIS.
Chris did not start his professional career by serving the hearing impaired. He opted instead to serve his country first. He served four years in the military with the United States Army, where upon surviving the rigors of army boot camp, he served out his term of duty in Germany. Upon his honorable discharge in 1985, he began his career dispensing hearing instruments by joining his family’s dispensing business started by his parents, John and Judy, in northeast Texas. He continued his education by attending Kilgore College, becoming an Audioprosthologist in 1990, and a National Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist in 1995.
During his 23 years in the hearing healthcare profession, Chris has trained 22 dispensers who have passed the state licensing exam and has helped numerous others begin their own dispensing practices.
Chris is also no stranger to voluntary service in his profession. He is a past president of the American Conference of Audioprosthologist and his service to THAA is unsurpassed by any member in our 61 year history. He began serving on the THAA Board of Directors in 1997. He was elected President-Elect in 2001 and served as President of the association from 2003 to 2005. During his tenure on the Board, the association’s membership double, our financial reserves grew, and our position in the political arena in Austin was strengthened considerably. He continues to serve the association today as a member of the THAA Ad Hoc Medicaid Committee that helped develop the new Medicaid fees that will become effective July 1. He also serves on the THAA Sunset Committee, helping to draft a new act for our profession. And, he is a member of the THAA Owner’s Group to help protect our political interests in Austin.
Beyond his business responsibilities, Chris has unselfishly worked with Habitat for Humanity, he is a Disaster Relief Team Leader for the American Red Cross, he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and he has gone to Mexico and Chile with the non-profit, charitable organization, Hearing Aids for Latin Americans, to provide hearing healthcare services to those in need.
Currently, Chris serves on the Board of Directors of Hearing Healthcare Management, which operates Avada Audiology and Hearing Care with 225 locations in 17 states. He is the Director of the Southwest Region with 13 locations in northeast Texas.
The THAA Board and membership would like to extend their congratulations to the THAA 2008 Dispenser of the Year - Chris Czop.
