MAGFest Executive Director Paul Birtel Resigns

MAGFest leadership underwent another shake-up. The official Twitter account confirmed MAGFest Executive Director Paul Birtel’s resignation. This comes after six Board of Directors members resigned in early January 2021.

Birtel and the MAGfest Board of Directors were accused of various abuses of power. Staff compiled details on a Friends of MAGFest website. Those managing it suggested Birtel in particular was responsible for “verbal and emotional abuse,” “mismanagement of the organization,” and “abuse of power.” Specifically, letters to the event’s board of directors from both paid and unpaid staff citing his bullying and retaliatory action against people who came forward to discuss issues.

The organization hasn’t named a MAGFest executive director successor. However, three of the new Board of Director members were named on January 16, 2021. Carrie Snyder is Board President, Cody Wilson is Treasurer, and Jason Williams is a member.

MAGFest is a 24-hour gaming and music event. Attendees are able to play arcade and console games. There are also concerts from artists. The most recent event was going to be Virtual MAGFest. That would have been held January 22-24, 2021, but the upheaval involving its leadership led to it being canceled.

The very first MAGFest was held back in 2002 and, since then, it branched out to include different sorts of events.