Mission Statement

AvaCon, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the growth, enhancement, and development of the metaverse, virtual worlds, augmented reality, and 3D immersive and virtual spaces. We hold conventions and meetings to promote educational and scientific inquiry into these spaces, and to support organized fan activities, including performances, lectures, art, music, machinima, and much more. Our primary goal is to connect and support the diverse communities and practitioners involved in co-creating and using virtual worlds, and to educate the public and our constituents about the emerging ecosystem of technologies broadly known as the metaverse.

Executive Board

Chris M. Collins

Chris M. Collins

President

Avatar: Fleep Tuque
chris.collins@avacon.org

Chris M. Collins is an IT Analyst at the University of Cincinnati Center for Simulations & Virtual Environments Research. Her research focuses on practical applications of virtual environments and simulations, augmented reality, and “serious games” in higher education and for remote workforce collaboration. She is also a co-founder and serves on the board of AvaCon, Inc. In her free time, Chris also runs FleepGrid, a personal research and testing grid, and blogs about the intersection of physical and virtual reality at fleeptuque.com.

Joyce Bettencourt

Joyce Bettencourt

Vice President

Avatar: Rhiannon Chatnoir
joyce.bettencourt@avacon.org

Joyce Bettencourt is Creative Director of The Vesuvius Group, a collaborative studio specializing in developing online immersive and social environments for community-building. Since October 2012, she has been hosting weekly nonprofit community of practice meetings at NonProfit Commons in Second Life community. Joyce is also co-founder and Vice President of AvaCon, Inc. and served as President from 2010-2014. Joyce is a 2012 graduate of the Singularity University Graduate Studies program, focused on applying exponential technologies to addressing Global Grand Challenges. Previously she was digital media producer for the Online Leadership Program at the educational nonprofit Global Kids and helped produce digital media learning content, events, and the social issue game CONSENT!

Kathey Fatica

Kathey Fatica

Treasurer

Avatar: Katydid Something
kathey.fatica@avacon.org

Kathey Fatica is a real world advertising executive with Needham Fatica Advertising Agency and works with many clients in the travel and tourism industry. As co-owner of Molaskey’s Pub, which has roughly six Live Music shows a week Katy has, herself, entered the world of the virtual entertainer, performing about once a week, drawing her influences from the folk/indie music of the ’60s and ’70s.

Jane Haniefy

Jane Haniefy

Clerk (Interim)

Avatar: Sine Whatever
jane.haniefy@avacon.org

Jane Haniefy is a project manager with over 25 years of management experience in the higher education IT industry. Her previous experience includes networking and telecommunications, A/V and electronic classrooms, and most recently IT governance issues in higher education. She serves on the Executive Board for AvaCon, Inc. as Clerk (Interim) and manages the Human Resources department for the organization.

avacon_groupshot_lime2
Image courtesy Chimera Cosmos.

Staff

Administration & Finance

HUMAN RESOURCES


Jane Haniefy

Jane Haniefy

Human Resources Manager

Avatar: Sine Whatever
jane.haniefy@avacon.org

IT SERVICES


Michael Cerquoni

Michael Cerquoni

Grid Administrator

Avatar: Nebadon Izumi
michael.cerquoni@avacon.org

IT SERVICES


Jeroen Frans

Jeroen Frans

Web Administrator / Content Development

Avatar: Frans Charming
jeroen.frans@avacon.org

MEDIA & CREATIVE

2D & 3D CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

David Fliesen

David Fliesen

3D Content Developer / Community Manager

Avatar: Sun Tzu
david.fliesen@avacon.org

Kurt Lesemann

Kurt Lesemann

3D Content Developer

Avatar: Kurt Lesemann
kurt.Lesemann@avacon.org

A/V PRODUCTION

Michael Bailey

Michael Bailey

A/V Technical Coordinator / 3D Content Developer

Avatar: Marcus Llewellyn
michael.bailey@avacon.org

David Oberholtzer

David Oberholtzer

Lead A/V Technical Manager

Avatar: Kai Arkright
david.oberholtzer@avacon.org

Josh Stortz

Josh Stortz

Asst A/V Technical Manager

Avatar: Amulius Lioncourt
joshua.stortz@avacon.org

Contact Information

Mailing Address:
AvaCon, Inc.
275 Winthrop Street
PO Box 618
Rehoboth, MA 02769-1819

Phone:
1+(774)-654-0010

Email:
info@avacon.org

Website:
http://avacon.org