Board of Directors Elections

__________IGDA BOARD ELECTIONS 2012__________

 

CLICK HERE TO VOTE IN THE 2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

2012 IGDA Board of Directors Candidate Information

A huge congratulations to the nominees in this years Board of Director's election. Each candidate is very unique in their own way and has a proven track record of success behind them. Please make sure to read their nomination statement listed below and vote for the candidate(s) of your choice.

Quick links:

• Kate Edwards
• Ed Fries
• James Kosta
• Sheri Rubin

Kate Edwards

When I desired to create a “home” for game localization professionals back in 2007, I chose the IGDA because I believe in its mission and its critical purpose. The cross-functional collaboration was appealing as an ideal forum in which to cultivate the localization community among other industry professionals. With its responsibility for the GDC Localization Summits, its numerous meetings at industry events, its creation of a Best Practices document, and its Translation Force to provide crowd-sourced translation for the Global Game Jam (and eventually the IGDA website), the Localization SIG has thrived under my leadership. 

We all realize that the IGDA has seen a lot of churn with leadership transitions, website frustrations and so forth. We also know that the industry faces both internal and external challenges, to which the organization has sometimes been slow to respond. While I know that faith in the organization has been shaken among some members, I and most members fervently believe the IGDA’s best days lie ahead. In order to move forward, we must revisit the fundamentals:

1. Reassert the IGDA’s relevance: The IGDA needs to be more proactive and visionary. We must reassert a thought leadership position for issues affecting game developers; we can start by better leveraging SIG expertise on key topics.
2. Restate the IGDA’s value proposition: We can demonstrate the value of our dues through stronger partnerships and incentives internationally, nationally and locally; an IGDA membership shouldn’t only equate to a GDC discount.
3. Reemphasize the “I” in IGDA: We must improve our inclusion of people, best practices and creativity from international chapters by better managing the communication and execution of ideas to/from IGDA leadership.
4. Reestablish the IGDA’s platform(s) for collaboration: Through volunteerism, we can empower our tech-savvy membership to help the IGDA overcome its ongoing technical weaknesses (e.g., the website).

The bottom line is that I’m a doer, I proactively see needs and I collaboratively make things happen. This has included creating a whole new type of “geopolitical” team and process at Microsoft, launching a unique culturalization consultancy, founding the IGDA’s localization community and helping the IGDA succeed at representing game developer interests.

I believe my 20-year career passion for games and global cultures will strongly complement the IGDA leadership. I humbly ask for your support for my election to the board and for your commitment to help the IGDA succeed in its mission.

Visit http://kateforigdaboard.blogspot.com.

Credits:

- Founder & Chair, IGDA Game Localization SIG, 2007-present
- Founder & Coordinator, IGDA Translation Force, 2010-present
- Contributor, Loc SIG’s “Best Practices for Game Localization” guidelines
- Co-organizer, Game Localization Summit @ GDC, 2008-present
- Member, Board of Directors, IGDA Seattle Chapter, 2010-present
- Member, IGDA Board of Directors Special Interest Group Committee, 2010
- Member, IGDA LGBT SIG Steering Committee, 2011-present
- Panel Speaker, IGDA Session at PAX East, March 2011
- Panel Speaker, Inaugural IGDA Summit, July 2011

Ed Fries

I published my first game on the Atari 800 in 1982 as a high school kid so I think it’s fair to say I’ve seen a lot of changes in the industry over the years. I left Microsoft in 2004 after creating Microsoft Game Studios and launching the original Xbox and since then I have been helping friends create and run game companies. If you’ve ever met me you know that I have a true passion for this business and believe that we are can change the world through interactive entertainment.

I’m an experienced board member and I would like to use that experience to make the IGDA a more effective organization. For me it starts with membership. Our goal should be for everyone who makes games to be a member of the IGDA.  Only by increasing membership will we have the funding and influence necessary to tackle important issues facing our community.

Issues I am particularly passionate about include incubation of new talent, recognition of interactive entertainment as an art form, preservation of the history of the business, combatting “copycat” game design, applying game design ideas to healthcare and education, and protection of our first amendment rights of free speech.

Thank you for your consideration.

BIO

CEO FigurePrints LLC

Co-founder Airtight Games

Author: Halo 2600!

Board Member: WildTangent, Z2Live, Exponential Entertainment, Pacific Science Center, Ancient Egypt Research
Associates (AERA).

Advisor: UW center for serious play, DigiPen RTIS program, Curse, Razer, Ogmento, Omek, Mixamo, Novel Interactive, Real Life +, Meteor Solutions, Smoking Gun Interactive, others…

Speaker: MIGS keynote, Nordic Game Keynote, many others…

Former Board Member: AIAS, Ageia , Canesta, Emotiv, GreenScreen

James Kosta

I have been an active member of the IGDA since 2002. During this time, I have seen the numerous challenges and issues that the IGDA has faced, and I believe that I have the industry background, leadership skills and vision required to make the IGDA stronger than ever.

I have over eighteen years of experience in the tech and video game industries and have worked on and produced games across every major platform. I have worked with developers of all sizes and understand the challenges that we are all currently facing andI believe that even in the current economic climate, there is an abundance of opportunity for game developers.

If I have the honor of being elected as a board member for the IGDA, I will:

1. Focus on how we can best utilize the IGDA website as a communications hub for the organization. We need members to truly feel connected regardless of whether or not their city has a large IGDA chapter, and have an easier time creating their own chapters to support their region. A strong sense of involvement and community for our members is critical in attracting new members both here and internationally as well as maintaining our current membership.

2. Discuss new ideas with developers within our IGDA community on how to best participate in and take advantage of the Gamification that is sweeping across all industries.

3. Most importantly, I would be available to listen to the input and concerns of fellow members on how we can maximize the usefulness of the IGDA and continue to strengthen our voicewithinthe industry.

More than ever, gaming has saturated our culture and the way we interact with nearly everything, and I would take full advantage of the opportunity to help shape the IGDA as the quintessential resource for our industry at this crucial time.

Credits:

-IGDA member since 2002.

-Founder and CEO, BattleBorne Entertainment

-Founder and CEO, 3G Studios, Inc.

-Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, 2012 “Software Company of the Year”

-Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, 2011 “Technology Company of the Year”

- Game credits include “Jillian Michael’s Fitness Ultimatum 2009”, “Rock Band”, and “Brave Arms”
  

Sheri Rubin

As an active part of the IGDA for over 12 years, this organization is very dear to my heart. I am the founder and CEO of a small business consultancy, Design Direct Deliver, and with more than thirty game credits to my name, this industry is very important to me as well.

I want the IGDA to be a driving force in this industry and I believe I can help us take this organization to the next level.
 
During my term, I will focus on several areas:
 
Volunteer Empowerment
 
Volunteers are our LIFEBLOOD. As a project manager with over 20 years of experience in volunteer management, I’ll focus on harnessing the talent and enthusiasm of our members. They deserve recognition for what they do, and it’s our duty to properly communicate the volunteer opportunities available to them. I will implement a formal volunteer management program, allowing us to provide recognition and professional development to our volunteers and keep the organization operating smoothly.
 
Communication
 
I aim to develop and implement a proper member management program – informing and guiding members throughout their membership. I will increase lines of communication, improve transparency, and work to demonstrate the value of an IGDA membership.
 
Advocacy
 
This association served our members well when it publicized its concerns with the Amazon Appstore’s distribution terms. However, this kind of foresight has been rare. We need to repeat this success - learn to consistently advocate proactively not reactively. I would work to streamline the communication process for such issues.
 
Future Planning and Fundraising
 
I will focus on fixing the year-over-year membership drop, which will help the IGDA raise funds and create cash reserves for times of economic instability. We must also develop a long-term plan for the growth of the organization focusing on stability, sustainability, and serving our existing members.
 
I will dedicate 10-20 hours per week, leveraging my experience as a project manager, game developer, and volunteer leader for the American Red Cross, Girl Scouts of the USA, IGDA, and YMCA to benefit the IGDA.
 
We need to mature as a professional association, empower developers, and elevate the art and craft of creating games. I would appreciate the opportunity to fight for these issues by serving on the IGDA Board of Directors. For more of my thoughts on our organization, please visit sheriforigda.org.
 
Thank you very much for your consideration,
Sheri (Pocilujko) Rubin
 
Contributions:

• Lifetime Member & Volunteer from 1999-Present
• IGDA Annual Report 2005: Member Highlight (One of only three volunteers highlighted that year)
• Operations Manager (2010-2011)
• IGDA Chicago (Member & Volunteer from 2000-Present): Executive Advisory Board (2004-2005), Board of Directors, Treasurer (2011-Present)
• IGDA Orange County (Member & Volunteer from 2009-Present): Board of Directors, Treasurer (2009-2010)
• Quality Assurance SIG (Member & Volunteer from 2004-Present): Founder, Chair (2004-2011), Chair Emeritus (2011-Present)
• Sexuality In Games SIG (Member & Volunteer from 2004-Present): Founder, Leadership Council Member (2004-2005)
• Women In Games SIG (Member & Volunteer from 1999-Present): Steering Committee Member (2010), Advisory Board Member (2009-2010)
• Member & Volunteer for: Casual Games SIG, Diversity SIG, Game Accessibility SIG, Game Design SIG, Human Resources SIG, Localization SIG, Quality of Life SIG, Production SIG, Programmers SIG, and Writing SIG (2001-Present)
• Member of over a dozen other SIGs (2002-Present)
• IGDA Marketing and Communications Committee Member & Volunteer (2010-Present)
• IGDA Chapter Committee Member & Volunteer (2010-2011)
• IGDA SIG Committee Member & Volunteer (2010-2011)
• IGDA Voter Guidance Task Force Member & Volunteer (2009-Present)
• IGDA Programs and Memberships Committee Member & Volunteer (2007-2010)
• IGDA Scholars Volunteer: Mentor (2005-2006, 2010), Judge (2007-2009), Coordinator (2011)
• Global Game Jam Volunteer: Global Play Party Coordinator (2011-Present), Chicago Site – Mentor & Judge (2012-Present)
• IGDA Chicago Game Jam Volunteer: Organizer (2011)
• IGDA GDC Planning Committee (2012-Present)