Board Candidates

To Vote, go to: http://www.igda.org/oc/orange-county-chapter-call-votes

Voting is limited to IGDA Members only.  Voting closes at 10pm PST, December 31, 2009.

Sean Flinn

A little bit about me: I’ve been working in the video game industry for 10 years, and have been a member of the IGDA for the past three. In that time, I’ve done a bit of everything: media / editorial (I produced and hosted IGN / GameSpy’s live video coverage of E3 for 5 years); community management (for GameSpy’s gameplay software, GameSpy Arcade, and for its competition service, GameSpy Arena); and production (overseeing development of both consumer software and middleware, as well as subscription services like IGN Insider). In the course of doing this, I’ve had a chance to interact with every sector of the business – development studios, publishers, PR / advertising, and, most importantly, the people who play the games and use the software / services that we all produce. 

For the past two years, I’ve worked in IGN’s GameSpy Technology division, which produces technology that enables games on all platforms better leverage the exploding growth of connected gaming, e.g., everything from online multiplayer to deep player statistics, cloud-based data storage to digital commerce & downloadable content.

My interest in working more actively with the IGDA has been sharpened by my recent experiences working directly with game developers, and by interactions with the Association itself. I have attended the last two IGDA Leadership Forums in San Francisco, and in both cases came away deeply impressed with the organization’s drive to improve all facets of game development culture.  Whether striving to advance the quality of games that we produce or working to elevate the visibility of quality of life issues throughout the industry, the IGDA focuses on ensuring that the gaming continues to operate as the vanguard of 21st century entertainment.

If elected to the board, I will spend my time working with my colleagues to ensure that the members of the Orange County chapter benefit fully from the Association’s mission. This means: working locally to continue the excellent series of meetings and information exchanges that we have enjoyed during recent meetings; listening closely to association members to ensure that issues close to their hearts & mind are heard by local chapter and national organization leadership; and to ensure that the overall IGDA pays commensurate attention to the interests and needs of Orange County game developers. And yes, I plan to fold my fair share of chairs.

I look forward to working alongside all of you in the months and years ahead.

Logan Foster

My name is Logan Foster, and I’ve been passionate about the gaming industry for my entire life. As an 11-year veteran software engineer, and current student at The Art Institute for visual/games programming, I do my best to leave a positive impression on those I meet in my professional and social life. I try to outstretch a helping hand to whoever asks and is willing to learn, whether it be to a fellow student, colleague, or coworker. My technical expertise, creative background, and outgoing personality make me an ideal candidate for a board member for the Orange County chapter of the IGDA. I am well respected for my skills, both technical and social, among my peers, and would bring a passionate energy towards growing this organization.

I want to use my abilities to assist in bringing this chapter of the IGDA together, and make it grow by personally reaching out to new potential members, and encouraging others to do the same. I am currently involved in numerous extracurricular student workshops and team building events, and would relish the opportunity to extend these learning resources to other students and IGDA members. As a member of the board for this chapter, I would be dedicated to enriching the knowledge of my fellow members and reaching out to new, talented individuals to join us.

Our chapter should be one of the biggest in the entirety of the IGDA, and through dedicated work and creativity I am certain that we can make this happen.  As GDC begins to draw closer, it becomes advantageous to educate students on the benefits of membership at such industry events. As a board member, I would seek support from school administrators at The Art Institute for setting up student-targeted workshops, where we would encourage new membership. I have developed an excellent rapport with both the faculty and the vast majority of students at AI, and would love the opportunity to use these friendships to help build a stronger chapter in Orange County.

As a member of the board, I would work tirelessly to extend our group to new students, industry professionals, and gaming enthusiasts. I have spent the past few months bringing in fresh faces to each meeting, and know that I will be an even greater asset to the IGDA in the future. Through a strong, collaborative effort we can make this chapter an invaluable resource to a much greater amount of members.

Chris Hood

As Chief Executive Officer I founded BooHag Studios in January 2008. With 20 years of experience in gaming specializing in digital media and online entertainment, BooHag was founded with the principal of changing the way consumers interact with media and focusing on the customer’s passion for games.

These same concepts were previously applied as the VP of Product Strategy and Marketing for Ruckus Network, Inc. a college oriented startup that distributed music, movies and games online.  Over the years, I’ve developed product strategies and marketing campaigns for companies including Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Monster.com, Reebok, Doritos, Axe, Fox Interactive and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. In 2009, I began the restructuring and reboot for the Orange County Chapter of the IGDA (International Game Developers Association). 

In 1998 I began working in the MMOG genre by developing a watchdog website to expose game studios which either ignored or engaged in low standards of service ruining consumer experiences. Through 2002, Chris consulted with various companies including, Electronic Arts, Sony Online Entertainment, Wolfpack Studios, Funcom and Turbine Entertainment and as of today, improvements seen within community involvement, customer service and quality assurance of MMOGs can be traced back to my philosophies I shared on my website.

My goal is to make the Orange County Chapter one of the strongest in the nation and with your help, support and dedication, I promise to make this happen.  Together we will not only grow the chapter, but grow game development throughout Southern California and the IGDA nationwide.  I look forward to what we can accomplish in 2010!

Rachel Larsen

My name is Rachel Larsen and I am currently a student at the Art Institute of California – Orange County. I have been a member of the IGDA for two years. For the past two summers I've had the privilege of interning for Blizzard Entertainment in their quality assurance department, and this past winter I was the recipient of the 2009 IGDA-GDC Scholarship. Though I am relatively new to the industry, I am passionate about the potential of this community, and for the games that we make.

I am running for a board of directors’ position for several reasons. I’ve spent the past few chapter meetings talking with those that attend and have noticed a significant student population; I would like to be the voice of those students on the board. I want to help guide our chapter meetings in the education of students, and connect them with what’s going on in the industry right now. The IGDA is a great resource for helping people transition into the professional game industry- not only students, but those coming in from other industries as well. I would like to make sure that this chapter takes the necessary steps to help those individuals achieve their goals, and ultimately provide local companies with informed, qualified, and passionate applicants.

Jim Rivers

I have been a very active proponent of the IGDA for many years.   I would like to increase my role in order to build and maintain our Chapter for the future as well as promoting the values of IGDA to the community. 

I started as a student member in 2001 while I was attending The Art Institute.  While I was there I was in-charge of organizing the GDC trips for students.  Within these presentations I heavily promoted IGDA as well as adding approximately 20 new members per semester.  I currently hold the position of Hiring Manager at Obsidian Entertainment.  Since being at Obsidian I actively work with college students to prepare them for the game industry and I also work with educators on what the industry wants and needs from their students.   I am a very strong networker and promoter within the game industry and I posses the ability to bring likeminded people together towards a common cause.

I look forward to making our chapter strong and build it up to be an example of what an IGDA chapter should be.

Sheri Rubin

Candidate Statement:

Nurturing a vibrant developer community can directly benefit each of us. It’s vital to have a strong network of peers to rely on, especially during these tough economic times. That is why it's in our best interest to bring together our collective knowledge and experience to help make game development a better place for all of us. In Orange County, each of us has already made a significant, positive impact on game development as individuals. I want to see our Chapter become just as, if not more influential. I want to do everything I can to make game development a better atmosphere for everyone involved and would very much appreciate the opportunity to do so as a board member of the Orange County Chapter of the IGDA. With strong leadership, I strongly believe that we can grow this Chapter into something we can be fiercely proud of. Thank you so much for your consideration

Biography:

Sheri Rubin is president and CEO of Design, Direct, Deliver, a company that focuses on improving the customer experience and provides independent contract and consulting services to businesses primarily within the video game industry. She got her start in the industry over a decade ago, began participating in the IGDA in 1999, and has been a full IGDA member since 2001. Sheri has appeared on two G4TV shows and was one of only three volunteers highlighted in the 2005 IGDA Annual Report. Though she has more than thirty game credits under her belt, Sheri's greatest professional pride came from showing her father her name on the Golden Tee machine in their local Chicago pizzeria.

Sheri's volunteer contributions:

•             Chair, Quality Assurance SIG (Current)

•             Advisory Board Member, Women in Games SIG

•             Member, Programs and Memberships Committee

•             Member, Voter Guidance Task Force

•             Member, Committee on Messaging

•             Former Executive Board Member, Chicago Chapter

•             Founder and Former Leadership Council Member, Sexuality In Games SIG

•             Participant in over twenty other SIGs

Linda Sellheim

We know that Education is crucial to the life of any industry and that industry and education need to work hand in hand to foster a strong community for learning. This is the place where organizations can be powerful players, connecting the two to bring about innovation and growth.

Education is working hard to keep up with the video game industry and as the local chapter of the IGDA we have the opportunity to assist in bridging that gap. We have great schools here in Orange County and as an organization the IGDA has the capacity to cultivate a strong and supportive alliance with education working to grow the next generation of game developers. 

I feel my position at Autodesk as Curriculum Development Manager for Media & Entertainment places me in a unique position to understand new directions in technology and education. I also have years of teaching and administrating experience on a local level in Orange County in games and animation that provide me with an exceptional view into the educational issues our local community faces. I would like to see the organization reach out to students at all levels to share information about the how the industry functions and the opportunities available now and in the future.

There are so many potential opportunities, but to begin with one of the things I would like to be involved with would be to create a solid program to develop mentoring on a regional level reaching all the way into the secondary schools. There are also opportunities to partner different schools in experimental pilot projects with industry support, sharing knowledge and best practices. These are just a couple of projects that I think could be beneficial, I have lots of great ideas and am ready to work hard to bring them to life!

On a personal level I have a true passion for the art, design and technology that are at the heart of this industry. Video games have been a big part of my life for a long time and it would be an honor to serve on the board of the Orange County Chapter of the IGDA.

Thank you.

Wayne Sung

Hi, my name's Wayne Sung and I would like to be a member of the IGDA OC board for the very reasons that made me love playing and be involved in video games.  The fun of an interactive experience.  As an organization we at IGDA have even more opportunity to make interactivity thrive.  Besides the communal shop talk, we can team up for larger even informal projects or hold events like game jams.  Such events not only mix our talents but also provide an outreach for upcoming students.  IGDA doesn't have to be just a congregation.  Help me uphold the fun of video games through our organization in the coming year.  Have me on board and I'll bring my spark to the table.  Thank you.