Mike Willmoth

Mike Willmoth has been a science fiction fan since an early age. After starting out reading comic books he moved on to Tom Swift Jr, then EE “Doc” Smith, Asimov, Clarke & Heinlein. He is also a fan of fantasy, particularly of Tolkien and Brooks. Besides literature Mike enjoyed Lost In Space growing up and, of course, Star Trek. He’s been to opening day, usually the opening showing, for every Star Wars movie since the beginning. With the popularity of sf/f on television his most recent favorites are Babylon 5, Farscape and Stargate: SG1.

Mike’s fannish career started when his friend from work, Jean Goddin, asked him to meet her at LepreCon 13, the local art sf/f convention in Phoenix, in 1987. From friend to girlfriend to wife, Jean and Mike entered fandom with CactusCon (NASFiC 1987 in Phoenix, AZ) with Jean Committee for Computer Game Room and Mike as Senior Staff. Mike went on to run a few computer rooms himself, then programming for LepreCons and CopperCons and Westercon 45 before becoming Online Liaison with the advent of the internet. Most recently he has been Hotel Liaison and Chair, particularly of World Horror Con 2004, World Fantasy Con 2004 and Westercon 62 in 2009, all in the Phoenix area.

He is currently Chairman of the Board of Leprecon Inc, Central Region Director of ASFA Inc (Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists), board member of the World Horror Society and World Fantasy. Besides conventions his hobbies include traveling, ham radio, scuba diving, and reading. He is self-employed as a computer consultant, travel agent and runs the family business. He lives in Scottsdale, AZ, with his wife, Jean, their dog Lambchop, and a herd of cats.

You can learn more about Mike on his LiveJournal, on Facebook and on Twitter. His email is mwillmoth [at] earthlink.net.

Photo credit: Beth Gwinn