Meet the Staff of FaffCon
Amy, a voice over actor with a long history in the event industry, came up with the idea for FaffCon while hanging out with a bunch of her pro VO pals. They wanted to get together every year, but where? They wished there was something specifically designed to serve the unique needs of working professional voiceover artists—something that would help established pros connect and learn from each other and bond during fun activities, yet have enough downtime to just hang out.
With a lot of help from smart friends with a shared vision, working VO pros now have an event to call their own.
Amy lives in Los Angeles and her credits include LegoLand Florida, Meineke, IBM, Kodak, HGTV, United Way, Girl Scouts USA, Discovery Health, TLC, GlaxoSmithKline, Meijer, Carnival, Atlantis Resort, Pantech, and Diageo.
Lauren McCullough | Associate Producer, FaffCon 5
After graduating with a BFA in Acting Lauren worked in NYC doing Theatre and film before transitioning to Voiceover full time bringing life to projects as the Voice Next Door. In May 2011, she relocated to the Asheville, NC and when she’s not voicing you’ll find her hiking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and cooking vegan deliciousness from the the local fare. Lauren was thrilled to join the volunteer force of FaffCon. She discovered early on that the voiceover world is a tight-knit bunch of talented people, and FaffCon is an unique opportunity to bring them all together in one place to discuss with, learn from, and enjoy one another.
Bob Souer is a full-time professional story-teller and voice actor. He has narrated broadcast and non-broadcast projects for corporations and ministries across North America. You’ve heard Bob’s voice on PBS, the History Channel, the Military Channel, Audible.com, iTunes and many other networks and on numerous audiobooks. Bob is married to Cinda. They have four children and live in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA. Bob helps out at FaffCon because he passionately believes FaffCon is the single best way for working professionals in voiceover to grow more excellent in their work and their lives.
Peter O’Connell | Sponsor Liasion
Before Madonna sang about her virginity, when making a phone call from the road meant plunking twenty five cents into a phone booth, before Michael Jackson’s first plastic surgery and back when getting “on-line” meant waiting to check-out at the grocery store, Peter K. O’Connell was (and still very much is) a professional voice over talent.
Peter became involved with FaffCon almost from the beginning, helping with marketing efforts including the production of this promotional video. Peter was unable to attend the first FaffCon because the timing coincided with the birth of his youngest child and the baby could not be coerced into diving into the pool of life at a time more convenient to his Father’s travel schedule. But as a compromise, the child accepted the name FaffCon Snively O’Connell.
Natalie Stanfield Thomas | Communication Liaison, Staffer at Large
Voice actor, copy writer, and audio producer – Natalie Stanfield Thomas enjoys working with clients in multiple areas of the voiceover industry. From her home studio in upstate New York, she provides engaging, believable commercial delivery without the ‘hard-sell’ aftertaste, and fun, fully-developed characters that play well with others. Her credits include commercial, narration, IVR, website, animation, e-learning and interactive infographics.
She’s involved with FaffCon because she sees the unconference as a tremendous gift the voiceover community gives, taking the best of what we have in ideas and encouragement and seeding it into one another.
Kelley Buttrick | Documentation Writer, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Riding up the escalator to my first FaffCon, my heart was pounding, my mind was second guessing, and I was intimidated down to my very soul. Didn’t know anyone other than my not-yet-arrived coach who I bullied into coming, and I was petrified that I had nothing to contribute.
Then, upon reaching the escalator’s summit, (cue angelic singing here) C. C. Heim greeted me with a genuine smile that lit up her whole face along with a happy “Hello and welcome to FaffCon!” That greeting set the tone for the rest of the event, and I left FaffCon 2 with treasured friendships, great opportunities, renewed confidence, and pockets laden with “Golden Nuggets.”
I’m supposed to put something in here about me as a VO, so here it goes: I’m a VO talent specializing in commercials and narrations with an ISDN equipped studio and serving national, regional and local companies including: Rooms To Go, The UPS Store, Dixie Ultra, COX, Proctor & Gamble, The Home Depot, Volvo of Athens, and Spa Sydell. Oh, and I LOVE writing the occasional article for VoiceOverXtra.com–thanks to John Florian and to FaffCon 2 where we met!
Dan lives in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, NC. After years in recording studios and in radio he began work at ProComm Voices in 2001, where he continues to work as an engineer, producer, and voiceover talent. In 2010, he published SOUND ADVICE. A first of its kind in the industry, the book covers audio engineering and studio session etiquette as it relates directly to voiceover talent. He’s been featured on Voice Artists United, The Voice Over Club, Voice Over Training.org and East West Audio Body Shop (EWABS). He is currently the national voice of Moe’s Southwest Grill, Crowne Plaze Hotels, and The RKS Kettle Bell exercise program.
He’s proud to volunteer his time and expertise to FaffCon because it has had such a positive impact on his life, both personally and professionally, in more ways than he can count. FaffCon and everyone who makes it happen including staff and attendees… ROCKS!!
Ever since the very first FaffCon, I’ve been a devotee! There’s no other gathering of working voice over professionals that is quite as unique – with a genuine desire to share, support, build up and spur one another on toward success. In an industry that’s known for being ultra-competitive, FaffCon attendees are a unique breed of giving and generous folks, who sincerely cheer each other on toward success, often sharing our “trade secrets” in the process. I’m proud to be able to serve this community as a volunteer and peer voice talent.
Eric has been in and around the world of voice over for years growing up as the son of Bob Souer. When Eric was 16 his Dear Dad got hit with the snowy wastes of a voiceover avalanche. He said, Son, I need your help, and Eric has been happily editing since. His specialty is long form projects, as he enjoys helping to create the story. Eric’s first FaffCon was FaffCon 2 in Atlanta, and has since then enjoyed helping out in any way possible, making new friends within the voice over community, and experiencing the magic that is FaffCon.
Karen Souer | Staffer at Large
Karen is the VO Virtual Assistant, but better known as Bob Souer’s daughter. She has done myriad useful tasks for many voiceover professionals, and hopes to do many more! Karen has grown up in and around the voiceover profession, and loves working with and supporting the awesome and talented voiceover community. (Karen is also 29, not 17 as some have thought.) Karen first went to FaffCon 2 at the urging of her Famous Father and has never looked back as the energy, innovation and fantastic people have helped her on both the professional and personal level in ever so many ways.
Devon Stewart | Staffer at Large
Devon started his VO journey under the very capable guidance of Amy Snively and Mark Cashman. For him, VO work provides a nice change of pace from the daily grind of being a software programmer.
His first Faff-sperience was in Ventura, where he reconnected with old friends, met lots of new friends, and had a great time. Charlotte, for him, provides an opportunity to provide assistance to long-time FaffStaffers, and to help make FaffCon fantastic.
Andy Curtis | Assistant Web Guy
Andy Curtis is an Australian technologist that always dreamed of being the voice of gadgets and animation. While he’s been the voice of major navigation systems, open heart surgery training, eLearning and online videos for the major national brands and many an advertising reel, he’s still yearning to be the voice of a household animated character before fulfilling his childhood dream of “taking over the world” as an animated mouse. Being a true geek at-heart, he enjoys trying out the latest studio gadgets, wrestling with remote controls for his ProTools 10 studio and generally trying to find new and creative ways to route audio around the globe.
FaffCon brings out the best in people – It encourages genuine and sometimes heartfelt discussion, brushing away the pretension and getting to the meat of the issue. When the meat-course is over, it’s an amazing way to catch up with friends and build new relationships within the industry.
FaffCon Staff Emeritus
Pam Tierney | Associate Event Producr, FaffCons 1-4
You know, I almost didn’t come to the first FaffCon. Here I was helping out with the sponsorship sales and I just wasn’t thinking about attending. Holy mackerel, am I glad I went! Each and every FaffCon has been an amazing opportunity for me to grow and stretch in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I’ve learned about tech, business, performance and now meeting planning! It’s been a wonderful, life altering event every time I attend. I can’t imagine not being associated with FaffCon in the future. Of course my favorite parts are all the incredible attendees and the snacks!
Connie Terwilliger | Sponsor Liasion & Official Photographer, FaffCons 1-4
FaffCon photographer for FaffCon 1, 2 and 3, Connie Terwilliger will be snapping pictures again at FaffCon 4 – all the while coveting Paul Strikwerda’s new mondo-mega-pixel camera. Heck, coveting anyone with a new Droid or iPhone with attachable lenses. She also has been working with some of FaffCon’s sponsors, the people who help make FaffCon a reality. In her real life, Connie spends her time in the back yard, in her padded room, communicating with clients through email, ISDN or phone patch. FaffCon enriches her life with face-to-face contact. She has cats, volunteers at the soup kitchen, takes her mom to the ER as needed and is searching for love in all the right places.
Corey Snow | Programme, FaffCons 2-4
Corey is a developer who had a dream of being a voice artist at age 17. By the time he was 40, he realized his dream wasn’t going to simply come to him and began his career in VO, where he has focused primarily on audiobooks. His technical skills placed him in touch with Amy Snively, who was seeking ways to streamline the FaffCon registration process, provide more tools to FaffCon attendees and make the FaffCon web presence more easily managed.
Corey’s favorite part of FaffCon is the passion and energy everyone involved brings to the event. He has met friends, peers and mentors and treasures the experience.