The 2017 IGDA Chicago Board of Directors elections have drawn to a close after the call for nominations.
Two nominations were cast for three open seats on the Board:
Ross Hersemann
I am an attorney, writer, and gamer.
I am the Founder of Loading Law, a Chicago-based law practice, and provide legal counsel to video game developers and entrepreneurs in the tech sector. I am also the Organizer of the Chicago Video Game Law Summit and an Adjunct Professor of Video Game Law at DePaul University. I speak frequently on hot topics in law and technology and my book on Video Game Law will be published in 2018. I also serve as Co-Chair of the CBA YLS Creative Arts Committee, Board President of the VGA Gallery, and for the last two years, as a Board Member of IGDA-Chicago.
I began my term with IGDA-Chicago when I was elected Secretary in 2015. Since that time, I have contributed my devoted service and leadership in support of our Chapter’s goals. I am extremely proud of the Chapter’s accomplishments during my time on the Board, particularly our charitable works and fundraising efforts. By offering educational programming, coordinating business networking opportunities, supporting charitable causes, and advocating social issues and justice, IGDA-Chicago is part of the bedrock of Chicago’s video game community. If re-elected as Vice-Chair, I would remain dedicated to supporting these endeavors and increasing IGDA-Chicago’s role in making the Chicago video game community to incredible reality that it is.
Tom Caprel
When I was young, games were my novels. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the stories and lives of my characters. For me, working in games is my deepest passion. I started my term on the IGDA board in early 2017 to fill in for the outgoing Treasurer, and I would like to continue as Treasurer in this dedicated and driven organization. My goal is to bring my experience as a gamer, entrepreneur, and team leader to help IGDA Chicago grow into new projects, new events, and add new members. In the past year alone, we’ve created a fantastic series of events, panels, and lectures designed strengthen connections between Chicago developers with topics ranging from game audio, to game IP law, and social justice. Let’s continue that momentum into 2018!
My background: I received my degree in Vocal Performance from Millikin University in 2011 as an opera singer. Out of college, I began working at a mobile app company where after 5 years I lead the 4 person marketing team. Currently, I work a big data company as their Marketing Manager. My first project in games was a big-data website to analyze in-game markets with the goal helping players get the most out of their playing time. In 2015, I started a dedicated marketing company, Hyperion Marketing, to help small game/software developers share their success to the world. As for other non-for-profit organizations, I have had multiple roles at the Video Game Art (VGA) Gallery including Communications Director & Exhibit Manager since February 2016.
Congratulations to Ross and Tom, who will be appointed to the Board and will officially take office alongside Ali Cedroni and Heather Decker on January 1st, 2018. Following the first Board meeting of the new year, one additional Board seat will be appointed.
We greatly appreciate Brian Eddy’s contributions to the Board these past two years and he will continue to serve on the board until the close of the year on December 31st, 2017.