During my time as a professional designer I worked in-house for TSR, FASA and Mayfair Games on lines such as D&D, BattleTech, Shadowrun, DC Heroes, Chill, Underground and Role Aids.
As a freelancer I worked for companies such as White Wolf, Steve Jackson Games, Hero Games and West End Games on lines such as TORG, GURPS, Champions, Fantasy Hero and In Nomine. Under the banner of Pariah Press I published The Whispering Vault, an offbeat horror game. A friend once estimated that I have had over 3 million words in print as a writer and/or designer and many more as an editor, developer and line editor.
When I wasn’t working full time for one games company or another my “day job” has usually been teaching of one sort or another. I am an experienced educator and have worked with adults and children of all ages. I have worked with many schools (public and private), 4H, Campfire, Americorps and Scouting (I am an Order of the Arrow Eagle Scout).
For a long time my second hobby was performing. I have been involved in theater and improvisation all my life. I grew up working in and with the Atheneum Theater in Chicago, which my father helped run. In Austin I trained at the Hideout and Institution theaters. I ran the Lair theater in Round Rock. I performed with the Flying Theater Machine doing improv for kids (the best audiences anywhere!) I ran the EPIC Theater Company for 8 years which staged 6 seasons of EPIC - an audience participation fantasy adventure show. I’m also a Rennie who has performed at Bristol and Sherwood Forest Faires.
Like many longtime gamers I have experimented with live action roleplaying (LARPing).
Over the years I have introduced countless people to the hobby. I have run games all over the country and overseas. At one time I was a regular convention guest and guest speaker. I have moderated panels and conducted seminars.
I say “Wizard” because I have been a wizard in a fictional setting. Several times.
The legendary mage Nystul in Greyhawk who wrote “Nystul’s Magic Aura” (among others) was inspired in part by me (long story). The mage Nystul in the classic Ultima video game series was also in part inspired by me (there was even a piece of art done when I was in my 20s that eerily looks like I look now - proof that the Origins Systems artists were wizards in their own right).
I still game, write and design but my efforts have started to take me in new directions. I'll try to keep this page up to date in regards to the gaming side of my life. There are some wonderful things on the horizon.
