Speakers Gallery — Shawnee Game Conference

Tony Justo

Long-time game enthusiast Tony Justo, with a BS in Computer Science, has spent over a decade working for corporations of various sizes, honing his craft in software development.

2023Guest UserAugust 21, 2023Gaming

Colin Rose

Colin Rose is a serial entrepreneur and game enthusiast.

2023Guest UserAugust 21, 2023Gaming

R. Duane Skaggs

An early interest in architecture led Duane to an undergraduate degree in mathematics, but a course in abstract algebra changed his career path. He began studying combinatorial knot theory and attempted to create a graph-based technique to distinguish knots.

2021, 2022, 2023Guest UserAugust 21, 2023Programming

Carla Peña

Carla has made Funko POPS! for Marvel, Star Wars, Warner Bros, celebrities, and more.

2022Guest UserOctober 17, 2022Art, Toys, Design

Bash Kurgunayev

Bash is currently working as a Game Developer at Combat Waffle Studios.

2022Guest UserOctober 17, 2022Production, Design, AR / VR, Programming

Doug Gesler

In the 24 years since then, Doug Gesler has worked as a programmer on over 15 titles across multiple platforms, including several AAA titles, all while managing a business and maintaining a presence in the independent games industry.

2022Guest UserOctober 17, 2022Gaming, Indie, Programming, MMO

Heidi Gesler

Heidi Gesler is a developer who wears many hats at Iron Will Games. Originally from South Texas, she got into the game industry by chance through gaming with friends and fell in love with it.

2022Guest UserOctober 17, 2022Gaming, Indie, MMO, Programming

Derek Peterson

A Game Design student from Shawnee State University specializing in character art and animation.

2022Guest UserOctober 13, 2022Art, Gaming, Animation

Chris Bergman

Chris Bergman is the CEO of Gylee Games, a games studio based in Cincinnati, OH. He's also a General Partner at The Fund Midwest, a venture fund he co-founded in 2020. Chris is also the co-owner of Cosmic Gorilla, a comic shop bar in Cincinnati, and the founder of ChoreMonster, which sold to Verizon in 2018. In his spare time, Chris DJs as an EDM artist under the name "Bergs." He says, “It's kinda cringe”, but he enjoys it.

2022Guest UserSeptember 27, 2022Gaming, Business, Keynote

Will Kosan

Will is an Environment Artist currently working at Lost Boys Interactive.

2022Guest UserSeptember 19, 2022Art, Gaming, Environment, Level Design

Justin Jacobson

Named a Super Lawyer Rising Star in Intellectual Property for the last seven years, Justin M. Jacobson, Esq. is an entertainment, esports and video game attorney in NYC.

2022Guest UserSeptember 7, 2022Esports, QA

Jess Brohard

Jess is an esports event host and sideline reporter currently working for the Call of Duty League. Represented by Character Select Agency for the last 5 years, she has hosted for nearly every video game and esport title under the sun - including PUBG, Pokemon, Tetris, Gears of War, Rocket League, and many more!

2021, Alumni, Get in the GameGuest UserJuly 25, 2022Programming, Esports, QA

Jackie Ha

After earning a Bachelor of Science from Shawnee State University, Jackie Ha searched for a position relating to my degree of study. Jackie continued to study to improve her programming knowledge.

2021, Alumni, Get in the GameGuest UserJuly 25, 2022Programming, Esports, QA

John Wheeler

2021, Alumni, Get in the GameGuest UserJuly 25, 2022Art, Design

Tyler Jackson

2021, Alumni, Get in the GameGuest UserJuly 25, 2022Programming

Kip Ricker

Experienced Advanced/Staff Software Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the mobile software industry. Skilled in full stack, cross platform mobile, and game development. Strong engineering professional with a BS focused in Games & Simulation from Shawnee State University.

2021, Alumni, Get in the Game, 2024Guest UserJuly 25, 2022Programming, Mobile