The American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) and the Society for the Technological Advancement of Reporting (STAR) announced that both organizations' Boards of Directors have voted unanimously to pursue a merger that would create CAPTUR, The Council for the Advancement of Professionals, Technology, and Unbiased Reporting.
What Is CAPTUR?
AAERT and STAR believe strongly that this profession deserves a unified, credible voice and that human judgment, skills, and expertise are essential to making the record. For that reason, we are proud to announce that both organizations’ Boards of Directors have voted unanimously to pursue a merger that will create CAPTUR, The Council for the Advancement of Professionals, Technology, and Unbiased Reporting. CAPTUR will be the industry’s first association to unite every professional who creates, supports, and protects the legal record including stenographers, digital court reporters, voice writers, legal transcribers, videographers, scopists, editors, proofreaders, students, instructors, agency owners, managers, and related professionals.
Meet the CAPTUR Board
President: Andrea Wecker, CSR, RDR, CRR, CRC
Andrea began her career in court reporting at just 16 years old and has spent more than 25 years in the profession. Over the course of her career, she has worked as a freelance reporter, CART provider, captioner, and firm owner. Andrea has long been passionate about the court reporting profession and the critical role skilled professionals play in protecting the integrity of the legal record.
Andrea currently serves as President of the Society for the Technological Advancement of Reporting (STAR), where she works to advance education, collaboration, and responsible innovation across all methods of capturing the record.
She also serves as Director of Partner Engagement at Veritext, where she focuses on strengthening relationships with reporting professionals and supporting initiatives that elevate education, engagement, and professional development across the industry.
Outside of work, Andrea’s greatest joy is spending time with her family, whether that’s relaxing on the couch holding her husband’s hand, cheering on their daughter in whatever new adventure she’s pursuing, or enjoying a backyard barbecue with loved ones.
Vice President: Susan LaPooh, CER, CDR
Susan LaPooh began her career in transcription in 1996, initially as a way to stay home with her children. What started as a practical solution quickly became a lifelong passion, giving her a deep appreciation for the discipline, resilience, and satisfaction of producing precise, high-quality transcripts. She remains a transcriber at heart.
Curious and motivated to expand her skill set, Susan eagerly pursued the opportunity to train as a digital reporter when it finally presented itself in 2017. She went on to gain experience at a large court reporting firm before joining Remote Legal in 2020 before becoming President of the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) in 2025.
As an early leader at Remote Legal, Susan has built and scaled the company’s reporting operations. She guides a talented team of reporters, transcription professionals, editors, and proofreaders. Known for setting a high bar, while maintaining a clear perspective on the day-to-day demands of the industry, she equips her teams with the tools, training, and guidance needed to deliver exceptional in-deposition experiences and clear, defensible transcripts.
While Susan's experience has developed her into a strong advocate for professional standards and the advancement of digital reporting, she also brings a pragmatic optimism to an industry in transition. As she often says, “Don’t let fear dictate your future.” In her view, the evolution of court reporting is not something to resist, but an opportunity to lead by embracing new technologies, new approaches, and a more unified vision for the profession.
Treasurer: Ben Jaffe, CER, CDR
Benjamin Jaffe is a seasoned court reporting industry professional with extensive expertise in technology. Currently, as an industry consultant, he collaborates with court reporting firms and software developers to foster industry growth, develop training, and enhance court reporting technology. Prior to this, Benjamin served as the Manager of Digital Training and Development at BlueLedge, an AAERT approved online training company specializing in digital court reporting and legal transcription.
His leadership journey spans almost 20 years in various industries including legal, media, education, and government. From 2014 to 2018, Benjamin led the legal technology team at Orange Legal where he managed digital court reporting, legal videography, trial technology, and e-discovery. During his tenure, he obtained approval to teach Continuing Legal Education classes in Florida, Georgia, and for the National Association of Legal Assistants.
Currently, Benjamin holds the position of Vice President on the AAERT Board of Directors. He played a crucial role in expanding membership, advocating for the industry, and successfully launching the Leadership Summit. Benjamin currently serves as the chair of the AAERT Leadership Summit Committee and contributes as a member of the Advocacy Committee and Communications Committee.
Benjamin's academic background includes an MBA from Rollins College and a BA in Communications from the University of Central Florida. He is known for his advocacy efforts, starting with the 2018 article "Two Truths and a Lie." In 2023, his article "5 Innovative Legal Support Careers" was featured in the Association of Legal Administrators Legal Management Magazine, and he writes regularly for BlueLedge's blog, "Ledger," for which he covers topics such as e- learning, career transitioning, court reporting equipment, and professionalism. In December 2023, he was quoted in Part 2 of Government Technology Magazine's 3- part series, "More Than Stenography: Exploring Court Record Options.” Benjamin also shares his passion for the industry and technology through AAERT's Facebook groups and other court reporting groups.
Secretary: Sam Mattern
Sam joined the STAR Board in 2020 and currently serves as its Vice President. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Technology from DeVry University (2005) before joining Spectrum Reporting as a videographer.
In addition to his videography and trial playback roles, Sam became deeply involved in the technology side of the business, eventually taking ownership of the company's IT infrastructure and developing and supporting client solutions. Over time, he became more involved in the operations side of the business, becoming the Operations Manager in 2015, and ultimately co-owner of Spectrum Reporting in 2023.
Over the last 20+ years, Sam has video recorded approximately 2,000 depositions, served as a hot seat presenter for trials, captured and transcribed thousands of pages of testimony, and presented on court reporting, trial, and technology topics to reporters, attorneys, paralegals, and law students.
Outside of the office, Sam stays very busy with his wife and two young kids.
Sara Giammanco, CSR
Sara Giammanco is a California Certified Shorthand Reporter and worked as a freelancer in Southern California before taking on her current role as Director of Reporter Engagement at U.S. Legal Support where she is committed to enhancing the reporter experience as well as the recruitment and education of the next generation of court reporters.
Prior to her current role, Sara held various positions at U.S. Legal Support since joining the agency in 2011, including time in transcript assembly, records, and transcript production. During this time, Sara graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. Upon graduation, she began to pursue a career in court reporting and enrolled in College of Marin. After completing court reporting school in less than two years, Sara obtained a degree in court reporting and passed the California Certified Shorthand Reporter licensing test in 2018.
At U.S. Legal Support, Sara has established a Mentorship program for court reporting students, pairing them with seasoned reporters for one-on-one coaching, training, and advisement. She is also passionate about giving back to the reporter community as evidenced by her continued volunteer work with organizations, such as Project Steno, and supporting local and national court reporting associations.
Recreationally, Sara enjoys playing tennis, pickleball, and spending time with her family – including her fur baby, Jeter.
Sandra Wilson, CSR, FPR, CER, CDR
Sandi began her career in court reporting in 1995 as a stenographic reporter in California, and she opened her own firm just a year after obtaining her CSR certification.
She is currently with Planet Depos, a global court reporting firm, where she is the Senior Director of Litigation Technology, overseeing digital court reporter training, certification, and recruiting.
Her 25-plus years of reporting experience include mentoring and managing court reporters of all methodologies around the globe. Prior to joining Planet Depos, she held several managerial roles in reporter operations, reporter relations, and reporting technologies, and she spearheaded the development and implementation of an in-house training program for digital court reporters.
Sandi is a member of the Florida Court Reporter’s Association, where she served five years on the Board of Directors, including the role of President, as well as serving on multiple committees during the past 15 years.
With AAERT, Sandi serves on the Certification Committee and is chair of the Advocacy Committee. She holds certifications for both stenographic and digital court reporting: California Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR), Florida Professional Reporter (FPR), and AAERT CER and CDR.
Jayne Konkel, CVR, RCP-M
Jayne Konkel, CVR, RCP-M, is an experienced CART Captioner with nearly 10 years of expertise in providing realtime CART Captioning. She is the founder of Path to Captions, LLC, a woman-owned, Texas Veteran Commission Certified business. Jayne serves on the STAR Board and chairs the STAR Practitioner Education Committee, which hosts bi-monthly webinars and creates educational content for the court reporting industry. Passionate about community service, mentoring, and the outdoors, Jayne is raising four amazing kids with her very supportive husband, Brandon. She is a member of TEXDRA, MOCRA, NVRA, and STAR, and uses Case CATalyst with VP + BCS alongside Dragon Nuance Professional.
Lisa Luciano, CDR, CET
Lisa Luciano's journey into transcription began in 2001, inspired by a friend, after a 15-year career in the mortgage lending field. Lisa took a bold step in early 2002, leaving her job to dedicate herself to transcription. Her commitment and proficiency led her to achieve certification as an Agency Transcriber through the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts in 2003, followed by the prestigious title of Agency Director/Transcriber in 2005. Notably, Lisa also earned her AAERT CET in 2005, showcasing her dedication to excellence in the field.
In 2013, Lisa embarked on a new chapter as a founding member and partner at Access Transcripts, LLC. Alongside her business partner, she played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding the transcription agency. Lisa's responsibilities ranged from hands-on tasks such as transcribing and proofreading to strategic aspects like marketing, accounting, tax preparation, government reporting, workflow distribution, employee onboarding, and effective team management. Lisa takes immense pride in the enduring success and continued growth of Access Transcripts.
Lisa's active engagement with the AAERT community is a testament to her commitment to professional growth. She has actively participated in AAERT Executive Forums and Annual Conferences, contributing significantly to the Professional Development Committee for several years. Currently, Lisa is thrilled to lend her wealth of expertise and unwavering enthusiasm to the AAERT Board and its membership.
Deanna Oaks, RPR
Deanna is a freelance court reporter, working all over the Twin Cities and Minnesota. She moved to Minneapolis in 2017 and since that time has worked per diem with numerous judges in several counties throughout the state, started her own company, been appointed to the state association, and joined an alumni mentorship program to help upcoming reporters transition into the profession.
Deanna enjoys volunteering and has taken part in Project for Pride and Living and the UHURU Solidarity Movement in an effort to give back to the community and campaign for positivity and progress. She is currently working on her next professional certification and plans to continue training in all spheres of court reporting.
Elizabeth Dwyer, CER
Liz Dwyer is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the court reporting industry. Currently serving as the Vice President of Operations for Advanced Court Reporting, she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company's operations to ensure efficiency and excellence in service delivery.
Liz's transition from a court reporter to a leadership position is a testament to her drive and determination. She has continually sought out opportunities for professional growth and has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities throughout her career. Her colleagues and clients alike appreciate her hands-on approach and her unwavering commitment to delivering excellence in all aspects of her work.
Throughout her career, Liz has demonstrated a strong commitment to quality and client satisfaction. Her leadership skills and strategic vision have played a pivotal role in the growth and success of Advanced Court Reporting. Under her guidance, the company has expanded its service offerings and strengthened its position as a leader in the Greater Boston area.
As the host of "Cocktails for Court Reporters," a popular Zoom meeting series, Liz has created a vibrant forum for court reporters to connect, learn, and share insights with one another. Through these virtual gatherings, Liz has created a supportive community where court reporters can discuss industry trends, share tips and best practices, and learn from one another's experiences.
Liz holds a certificate in court and conference reporting from The New England School of Court Reporting and continues to expand her knowledge through ongoing education and professional development. Her background as a court reporter combined with her strategic vision and leadership skills make her a valuable asset to Advanced Court Reporting and a driving force behind its continued success.
Town Hall Webinars
As AAERT and STAR move forward with a merger to form CAPTUR, the Council for the Advancement of Professionals, Technology, and Unbiased Reporting, a series of town hall webinars will be held over the next few weeks.
These sessions are designed to provide additional context, share key insights behind the formation of CAPTUR, and offer an opportunity for members to engage directly on topics that will help shape the future of the profession.
Upcoming webinar topics and dates:
Tuesday, April 7, 2026: The Origins of CAPTUR - Register Now
Wednesday, April 15, 2026: Meet the CAPTUR Board - Registration details to come
Tuesday, April 21, 2026: The Vision for CAPTUR - Registration details to come
Tuesday, May 5, 2026: Your Future with CAPTUR (Members only) - Registration details to come
More Questions? Ask Us
We know that this merger will generate lots of questions. If you can’t find an answer in the information above or the FAQ below, AAERT and STAR leaders are available to help. Below are direct email addresses where you can get your questions answered.
Andrea Wecker, STAR President: president@staronline.org
Susan LaPooh, AAERT President: president@aaert.org
Matt Riley, AAERT Executive Director: matt.riley@aaert.org
George Catuogno, STAR Executive Director: george@staronline.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this merger happening? Why is it needed now?
Both organizations already welcome members from across the industry regardless of the method used to make the record. Both also share a firm commitment that only by putting aside differences and focusing on quality and accuracy can we ensure a strong and prosperous future for court reporting professionals.
It has never been more urgent for our industry to unite behind a strong, trusted voice. Well-funded private interests are actively selling courts and law firms on the promise of removing human accuracy, impartiality, and integrity from the process entirely, and budget constrained buyers are eager to believe them. If court reporters as a whole don't choose this moment to band together and send the message that no technology can replace the value of a certified professional in the room, it may be too late for the record, and too late for our industry.
What is CAPTUR?
CAPTUR stands for the Council for the Advancement of Professionals, Technology, and Unbiased Reporting. While, like most industry associations, it will primarily be referred to by its acronym, the name reflects that human professionals, leveraging powerful tools and technology, and held to rigorous certification and ethical standards, are what moves our profession forward.
Who decided this, and do members’ voices matter in that process?
Member voices have been central to the process and will continue to be. For more than a year, each board of directors, composed of members who were elected by their peers, has engaged in extensive negotiations, due diligence, and input from key stakeholders and expert advisors. The outcome of that process was that both boards unanimously voted to form the Plan of Merger, proposed Bylaws, and other legal documents to propose a full merger. The final decision to move forward will rest with the membership of each association. Members should watch their inboxes for more information regarding the ratification vote.
Will my association's name, history, and legacy be honored?
One of the most important parts of the merger conversation has been how each board can honor and preserve the legacy of these two incredible associations. Each has made untold contributions to our profession, and the merger will act as a crowning achievement and a lasting legacy that continues to demonstrate the powerful good that can be done when court reporting professionals unite as one.
CAPTUR will maintain a history page that documents the many contributions made by both STAR and AAERT toward advancing court reporting, and founding members, past presidents, and current board members of both organizations will be considered founders of CAPTUR. Without the contributions and sacrifices of many AAERT and STAR members, we would not have reached this moment of opportunity, and the inaugural CAPTUR board is committed to honoring that legacy.
Who will lead this new organization, and do they understand our community?
The two existing boards have agreed on a combination of board members and officers who were already elected by each membership to serve staggered terms on the initial CAPTUR board. Annual elections and the selection of officers will continue similarly to how this was carried out previously in both associations. See list of board members above in the Meet the CAPTUR Board Members section.
Will CAPTUR still represent my specific interests, or will my specialty/niche get lost?
Because both associations already welcome a broad variety of professionals, we understand that building unity means recognizing the unique strengths and perspectives that everyone brings to the table, and we are committed to supporting and advancing all court reporting professionals.
CAPTUR represents and will be led by a diverse group of industry professionals including court reporters using all methods of reporting, transcribers, legal videographers, freelancers, and firm owners/managers. While the primary goal was to ensure the highest possible quality of leadership, both boards also took care to ensure that a broad cross-section of professional interests were represented.
Will member offerings improve, stay the same, or suffer?
Those who attended the 2025 Unity Summit have already seen how much better things can be when we join together. It was the largest conference that either association had ever hosted, and more importantly, so many members across both organizations told us that they had never been to an event with so much positivity, so many opportunities to truly learn something new, or so much possibility for the future. With events like the Unity Summit and the many joint webinars and town halls we have hosted together, we can confidently promise that member offerings will significantly improve.
What will happen to my current membership and dues?
If you’re a member of either AAERT or STAR, your membership will continue and your expiration date will stay the same. Because both organizations' annual dues amounts are very similar, the CAPTUR board will approve a schedule of dues that merges the two structures and keeps any changes minimal.
If you’re a member of both organizations, you’ll receive membership in CAPTUR for a period equal to the combined remaining duration of both memberships at the time of the merger, rounded to the nearest month. For instance, if your STAR membership had 6 months remaining before renewal, and your AAERT membership had 4 months remaining, your CAPTUR expiration date would fall 10 months after the date of the merger. Following the merger, dual members will receive an email with the details of their new membership expiration date.
What will happen to my AAERT certification(s)?
All existing AAERT certifications will remain valid, recognized, and fully transferable under CAPTUR, with no disruption to their standing or renewal requirements. If you’re a member of either AAERT or STAR, your membership will continue and your expiration date will stay the same.
What about my state’s recognition of AAERT certification(s)?
AAERT will continue to legally exist as an entity under CAPTUR and all state laws that recognize AAERT certifications will continue to apply as CAPTUR works with legislators and regulators to update nomenclature and promote the value of certified court reporting professionals.
What will happen to committees and committee chairs/members?
Following the merger, the CAPTUR board will vote to approve a committee structure that combines the existing two structures. We will need the best and brightest members to help lead us into this new future, so whether you’re currently on a committee or you’ve always thought about volunteering, rest assured that there will be a place for you to make your mark and we’ll be grateful for your support.
What would not merging mean for the future of court reporting?
We already know the answer to this question because we have seen it play out over the last several decades. If groups that were formed to advance court reporting continue to choose only one segment of our industry, and to malign or oppose all other segments, then our industry as a whole will remain fractured, uncoordinated, and vulnerable.
Not merging would mean a larger number of associations doing a smaller amount of good for court reporters. We know that embracing change is difficult. If you believe, as we do, that AI-only solutions (or any technology alone) cannot be the future of making the record, we need your support.