Six Boards Resign Over MAGFest Controversy

In the latest development of the current MAGFest controversy, the six volunteer board members resigned. The news comes straight from a statement on the official MAGFest website. The new update is the result of concerns raised against the organization as of November 2020. We have the full story and history of developments below.

In a serious statement, the official website updated its community on the MAGFest controversy under development. With immediate effect, the six volunteer board members resigned from MAGFest. The organization has voted on three new boards, and it promises more information very soon. MAGFest said it would start by “healing some deep wounds, bringing in new leadership and being transparent as hell about everything that goes forward. This new development comes after charges were brought against three board members and the executive director. Paul Birtel, executive director of MAGFest, is still associated with the organization.

Recognizing the “systemic issues” within MAGFest, the board concluded that imparting leadership by bringing a “fresh perspective from within the community” was the best course of action. The three new members have been involved in MAGFest over the years. The new board of directors is made up of:

• Carrie Snyder – Chair of the Board, Advisory Working Group and Head of Arcade Department.
• Cody Wilson – Treasurer of the Board of Directors and member of the Finance Working Group, as well as the former Mega Man-a-Thon / magFAST showrunner.
• Jason Williams – Member of the Board of Directors, Advisory Working Group and Head of the Consoles Department.

The three members were transparent in admitting that they had their work cut out for them. The new Council said it would start by reactivating a safe and frank conversation. The Board also admitted that MAGFest had let its success “blind” the concerns of its community. Organization asked for fan support and patience as he strives to correct internal and external problems. The statement ended on a positive note that MAGFest 2022 will be better than ever.

Timeline of the MAGFest controversy

On November 19, 2020, a website organization made up of regular employees and MAGFest volunteers, named Friends of MAGFest, went public. The purpose of this website was “to inform the community that MAGFest is facing an unprecedented existential threat – the Board of Directors and the Executive Director of MAGFest.” According to the site, the allegations have already been raised privately on several occasions. The website voiced its concerns to the Board of Directors and the Executive Director as follows:

• Abuse of power by the board of directors and the executive director.
• Financial negligence of the organization.
• Bad management of the executive director by the board.
• Poor management of the organization by the executive director and the board.
• Verbal and emotional abuse by the executive director.
• A repeated and blatant disregard for the wishes and desires of the community.
• To perpetuate a harmful environment without responsibility.
• Deny all concerns raised in private.
• Retaliation against those who filed a complaint.

Among the calls to action, the website called for the immediate impeachment of executive director Paul Birtel and three board members: Joel Attanasio, Jack Boyd and Eli Courtwright. Shortly after its publication, MAGFest’s board contacted the website to reach a resolution. Friends of MAGFest said the board has listened carefully and worked together to bring all parties to the best possible outcome.

As a result of these developments, the MAGFest controversy has widened. Executive Director Birtel fired the Events Director and three other staff, all Friends of MAGFest. Coming on December 28, 2020, the decision divided the Council in terms of support. For this reason, MAGFest canceled its virtual event less than a month before it happened. The latest update is the resignation of the board. The Friends of MAGFest expressed their sincere support for the new Board members.

The Music and Gaming Festival (MAGFest) is an annual convention held in the Washington, DC area. In recent years, the organization has branched out to host similar events in several locations, such as MAGClassic, MAGWest and MAGLabs. We will keep our readers informed of future developments.