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
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
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
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
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.
Image courtesy Chimera Cosmos.
Staff
Administration & Finance
HUMAN RESOURCES
Jane Haniefy
Avatar: Sine Whatever
jane.haniefy@avacon.org
IT SERVICES
Michael Cerquoni
Avatar: Nebadon Izumi
michael.cerquoni@avacon.org
IT SERVICES
Jeroen Frans
Avatar: Frans Charming
jeroen.frans@avacon.org
MEDIA & CREATIVE
2D & 3D CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
David Fliesen
Avatar: Sun Tzu
david.fliesen@avacon.org
Kurt Lesemann
Avatar: Kurt Lesemann
kurt.Lesemann@avacon.org
A/V PRODUCTION
Michael Bailey
Avatar: Marcus Llewellyn
michael.bailey@avacon.org
David Oberholtzer
Avatar: Kai Arkright
david.oberholtzer@avacon.org
Josh Stortz
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