Our Story: Connecting People
Learn about our mission and values

Our Journey: The Middle English Story
From a vision to a leading interpreting agency
Founded in 2009 by Mark Alan English and Tom Linker, Middle English Interpreting emerged from a passion for bridging communication gaps. Mark Alan, an experienced ASL healthcare interpreter, envisioned an agency that prioritized accessibility and reliability, empowering individuals through language access. During his 30+ years as an interpreter, he focused on emerging trends impacting this industry. He has been an executive board member, adjunct instructor, and workshop presenter throughout the US and Canada. Tom Linker, former CFO, set up our innovative billing and scheduling database as well as a host of other functional tools that have positioned us as a technical leader in our industry. Tom has a background in music, performing for over 30 years as a concert pianist in the US and Europe.
Today, under the stewardship of Adam and Dana Thilges, we honor that vision while embracing innovation and growth. Our journey is one of continuous evolution, driven by a commitment to excellence and a deep respect for the communities we serve.
Our Mission: Communication for All
Empowering individuals through accessible language services

Our Values:
The Foundation of Our Service
Integrity
Respect for Diversity
Direct & Honest Communication
Cultural Humility
Giving Back
Our Culture
A Community of Collaboration
Fostering an environment of respect, inclusivity, and growth.
We believe in creating a supportive and inclusive environment where our team, clients, consumers, and interpreters thrive. Collaboration and open communication are at the heart of our culture. We value diversity, continuous learning, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Meet Our Leaders:
Adam & Dana Thilges
Experienced leadership driving our mission forward
Adam & Dana Thilges, co-owners, are a local couple who acquired Middle English Interpreting in 2025. Coming from a background in both finance and healthcare, they are poised to continue the agency’s success.
Adam brings a wealth of experience from his 15 years working in finance and human resources. Adam loves to develop and grow great teams. He fosters a collaborative environment, ensures team members feel valued, provides growth opportunities, and leads by example. He will continue to lead Middle English by promoting a respectful and positive experience for customers, interpreters, and consumers.
Dana has a robust background as a physician assistant, where she has worked closely with a diverse team of healthcare professionals and interpreters. Her experience in the medical field has given her a unique perspective on the importance of working with effective interpreters and cultural sensitivity.
Together as a couple, they have traveled to more than 30 countries and 6 continents and hope to continue to explore the world in order to continue to broaden their horizons. They are firm believers that interacting with a wide array of individuals helps to inspire a fresh perspective, mutual understanding, can lead to better problem-solving and decision-making, and promotes joy.
Adam & Dana are honored to continue the important work being done in the community by Middle English Interpreting, and are committed to continuing the legacy they have built and run the agency with the same integrity and vision. They were attracted to the business because of values they shared with the agency’s previous owners, Mark Alan English & Tom Linker, such as empowering & advocating for others, a commitment to lifelong self-evaluation & self-reflection, cultural humility, and treating others with respect and compassion.







What Our Clients Say
We are proud of the relationships we’ve built with our clients. Here’s what they have to say about our commitment to quality and service.