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- Dale Uehling, Board Director, has been the Mayor of Ottumwa for eight two-year terms (16 years) and has been a resident of Ottumwa for 45 years.
Joe Helfenberger, President/Board Director, is the City Administrator of Ottumwa. "I am involved with the IVGHOF because I see a great potential for the project to be enormously successful and beneficial to the local economy. This project provides a destination for people traveling throughout the country to stop and celebrate the benefits that video gaming has brought to our world. It is good, family entertainment!"
- Greg Kenning, Board Director, is one of three Wapello County Supervisors. "I have been fascinated by video gaming since I played a game
resembling Pong with my cousin on a UNIVAC computer in Salt Lake City in 1970. Through the
'70s I enjoyed immensely the Atari games that my young nephew would get for
Christmas and birthdays. Most of these were handed down to my kids when
they became gamers. My adult son and daughter continue to play video
games and I have remained hooked on flight simulators since the early
'90s. I only wish that playing them wasn't so addictive. But then
...who doesn't like a challenge?"
- Mark Eckman, Secretary/Board Director, is the Executive Director of the Ottumwa Convention and Visitors Bureau. "I became involved with IVGHOF
because I see the potential draw the hall of fame will have in bringing
visitors to Ottumwa
from across the country and around the world!"
- Mary Gaskill, Board Director, is a member of the Iowa House of Representatives, serving her fifth term. Over the years, Mary has been extremely active in her community. In
2001, she received a Volunteer Award from Governor Vilsak for her work
on the Foster Care Review Board. She is currently a member of the
Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce, previously serving on the Convention
and Visitors Bureau. She also belongs to the League of Women voters,
Toastmasters International, and St. Mary of the Visitation Church. "I
believe that the International Video Game Hall of Fame and Museum will
increase tourism and jobs in the Ottumwa area. My four children and
seven grandchildren are video game enthusiasts and are excited about the
IVGHOF&M being in Ottumwa. It brings back some good memories to my
two oldest children as they enjoyed Twin Galaxies when it was in
downtown Ottumwa. As a family we look forward to the success of the
International Video Game Hall of Fame and Museum."
- Roger Jones, Board Director, is a retired attorney."I have been an avid video gamer since the 1970's . While never particularly
skilled at any that I played, from the beginning I appreciated the excellent
entertainment that video gaming, in all of its aspects,
provides. This fascination prompted me to obtain my first computer, an
Apple 1 in 1972. From there I graduated to a Commodore 64, then a Commodore
128, then a Commodore Amiga. In 1981, I bought my first IBM Compatible
machine. Since then I have constantly upgraded, and currently own two
desktops and three laptops. The point I am trying to make here has
nothing to do with my computer acquisition habits, but rather to stress that
my interest in video gaming in fact fomented my introduction into the world
of computers as indispensable tools for everyday use, both for business use and
in personal matters. I am certain that this has been the case with a great
number of other individuals. In short, a lot of people bought computers
because of access to home video gaming, but learned the other benefits of
computer use as a result. I am also particularly invested in the
International Video Game Hall of Fame, and the need for it to be located in
Ottumwa, where competitive arcade video gaming began. Despite the fact that
I used to wear a disguise so as not to embarrass myself when playing on consoles
at arcades, I was always thrilled I had the opportunity to observe a
particularly skilled gamer at work. These individuals, and the championship
gamers I have since had the privilege to meet, clearly demonstrate that
success at these games requires intelligence, excellent hand-eye
coordination, and a facility for long term planning. I might be stating the
obvious, but these are skills that are extraordinarily useful in the outside
world. I am particularly proud to be a Board member of the International
Video Game Hall of Fame for the reasons mentioned above, and for the
opportunity to foster much deserved recognition and economic development
long due in the City of Ottumwa."
- Walter Day, Board Director, is the Founder of Twin Galaxies
- Brian Morgan (bio coming soon)
- Keith Sasseen (bio coming soon)
- Billy Mitchell (bio coming soon)
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