In This Issue:
The NOVA Open wants to hear from you! 
 
Haven't taken the 2014 NOVA Open survey? We think your input is important. What did we do right? Where could we improve? The questions are all on the survey, with lots of room for your feedback. The information and feedback provided by those who attend (as well as those who participate online or offsite) help direct the NOVA Open's Executive Board. We tune in to your responses and seek creative and innovative ways to improve what we are able to offer at the NOVA Open.

NOVA Open LLC Board of Directors announcements 
 
Neil Gilstrap is joining Mike Brandt, Laurie Brandt, Dewey Haines, Stu Moll, Bob Likins, Owen Beste, Marti Seraphin, and Christie Phillips as the newest member of the NOVA Open LLC Board of Directors

The Executive Board meets the first Saturday of every month, year-round, to guide preparations and planning for the NOVA Open Convention. It is comprised of proven career professionals from numerous fields, to include high-ranking military officers, career executives, attorneys, CPAs and a diverse array of management professionals from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. 

The first Board meeting of 2015 will take place this Saturday and will include a detailed review of the results of the 2014 survey.
Independent Characters Podcast 
Podcast  

Episode 110 of The Independent Characters, on Mission Design in 40K, includes an interview with NOVA Open CEO Mike Brandt on the philosophies of mission design and balancing and the process of building the NOVA Open missions!


 

Listen to the podcast


Charity Raffle Winner Profiles 
 
BLOOD & HONOR: The Defense of Macragge, in support of Doctors Without Borders. Won by Chris Walden, a Virginia native of Mechanicsville, VA. Chris works in the Automotive Industry and has played 40K for 4 years, and also plays Fantasy. The army is currently on Display at FTW Games; Chris has played the army twice now.


SCYTHES OF BEHEMOTH, in support of Doctors Without BordersWon by Jeremy Tucker of Eaton Rapids, MI: "the two boxes of Tyranids did arrive today and it definitely felt like Christmas! The army looks great and I'm definitely excited to get a chance to field it." 

 

Jeremy is a Michigan native, born and raised. He's played 40K for about 6 years or so, back playing after a 10 year hiatus, and a former Fantasy player as well. Jeremy is a student as well as working full time: studying computer networking and working for a uniform rental company. Jeremy heard about the charity raffle through a post on Facebook: "this had a great reward for a good cause, so I jumped in."


 

PANZER LEHR WESTERN FRONT WWII ARMY, in support of Wounded Warrior ProjectWon by Gareth Phillips of Gloucestershire, England (UK). Gareth runs the blog 40kterminatus and has played wargames all his life: FOW for 3-4 years and also plays other WW2 games (Rapid Fire) and 40K. "My plans for the Panzer Lehr involve world domination, only joking. It will be used to play and have fun."

 

Gareth was previously in the security industry (cctv & alarms) before becoming a full time carer (caregiver) for his daughter. Speaking on his daughter, Gareth shared the following with us: "Emily my daughter was actually born on the 10th of November 2001 and my wife has been caring for her ever since. I only joined the carer (caregiver) role full time 4 yrs ago and I still don't do half the work my wife does. Emily also spent the best part of two weeks in a NICU after being born with complications and not given a high chance of survival."


"Emily was eventually diagnosed with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy which basically means a fluctuation from low to high muscle tone, plus a number of other complications that come with the CP package. Emily presently attends a special needs school in Stroud and even though she has her fair share of difficulties she is a happy girl. If you follow the link Emily is the girl with her eyes closed in delight, in the purple neckerchief in a wheelchair. The pictures on the front page scroll round so it could take a couple of seconds for Emily to appear: 
http://www.allsortsglos.org.uk/If you'd like to donate to Stroud:  http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1004021"


 

FANTASY OGRE KINGDOM:  MANEATERS OF THE GREAT MAW, in support of Fisher House FoundationWon by Brian Prue of Medford, Massachusetts, a New England native from Connecticut. Brian has been playing WFB for close to two years: originally a 40K player but "ended up trading in my round bases for the more more elegant and efficient square ones. I also dabble in Blood Bowl and Malifaux when we don't feel like pushing hoards of miniatures around."

 

Brian is a cognitive systems engineer: "a fancy way of saying I'm part psychologist, part designer, part software engineer, and I love working with folks to figure out what they do, how they do it, and how we can help make their lives easier. I have been lucky enough (!) to work with some of our nation's finest, from the New York City Fire Department to the men and women in our armed forces."

 

On the army: "The Ogres have already gotten their inaugural game in, attempting to stomp some High Elves to the ooooohs and awwwws of their adoring public. I grabbed Stiff Neck Studio's card for when I want to expand the force, but right now they serve as an excellent introductory force - catching the eye of potential Fantasy converts, and serving as a clear example that not every WFB army needs hundreds of rank and file infantry models."

 

 

DEATHWATCH: PENNY ARCADE ARMY, in support of Child's Play CharityWon by Blaike Anderson of Floraville, New South Wales, Australia. Blaike is a native Australian, working and studying, and has played 40K for 6-7 years. Blaike was introduced to the raffle by charity artist Ken Webb: "I thought it sounded like a great cause and entered." 

http://www.novaopen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NOVA-Open-2013-Art-Competition-Capital-Palette.pdf
 

Fantasy Large Single 

Gold: Nicholoas Pasch, Dwarf Slayer


 

Fantasy Single 

Gold: Rhodes Davis, Forest Stalker


 


 

Fantasy Collection 

Gold: Kevin "Bogo" Bogucki, Dr. McMourning's Lab


 

See all of our winners on the NOVA Open flickr gallery:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/novaopen/sets/

2014 Staff Party 
 
The NOVA Open staff party is this weekend, volunteers, thank you again for all your hard work this year! Remember to check your emails for the details, you won't want to miss it!
 
Photos from the NOVA Open are available on our Flickr page, thanks to staff photographer Ethan Hansen. Be sure to check out the work of our stunning Capital Palette winners! 
 

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