Steve Anderson guides international and online marketing efforts for FamilySearch. FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world and is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Steve interacts with people around the world and enjoys the opportunity to help others connect with their family. His professional experience includes 20 years of strategic business development. Steve and his wife Marisa live in Highland, Utah and are the parents of two wonderful children.

Rustin Banks started building online communities 15 years ago by hosting bulletin board systems (BBS) in his parents’ closet. With an MS in Electrical Engineering, he left his position in Aerospace designing next-gen satellite systems to start BlogFrog in 2009. He and his wife, Tara, live in Colorado and he blogs about leadership and being the father of three small children. You can find Rustin fielding questions about technology as a community leader in the BlogFrog community or follow him on Twitter @rustinb.

Rachael Herrscher is the co-founder of evo Conference and is also the founder of the TodaysMama.com, an online media and publishing company founded in 2004. TodaysMama produces regional reference guides for mothers and families and has a presence in 25 markets across the U.S. Rachael oversees general business operations, new market development, partnerships, and marketing initiatives. Rachael was a finalist for the 2007 Stevie Awards “Best Young Entrepreneur” award, was named one of Utah Business Magazine’s 30 Women to Watch in 2009 and one of the “Top 5 CEO’s you Should Watch on Twitter” by Business Week Magazine. She was also recently featured in the book “UpStarts!: How Gen Y Entrepreneurs are Rocking the World of Business.” Rachael was 1 of 9 women listed in both the 2010 and 2011 v100 as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs in Utah to lead a successful startup in the next 5-7 years. She was also a recent presenter at SLC TEDx.

Courtney and Christopher Kendrick like each other so much they got married twice. Courtney Jane (C. Jane) Kendrick has been writing, blogging and vlogging at her award-winning cjanerun.com since 2005. Currently she is also a weekly columnist for the Deseret News and Co-Founder of Provo’s Downtown Rooftop Concert Series. Christopher is a professional Father and actor. They have 3 delightful children who will undoubtedly someday save the world.

Syd is an internationally acclaimed storyteller, an author, and an award-winning teacher. Many of his best-loved stories deal with growing up and raising a family in Chicago. He is also known for his original historical pieces and his signature versions of Jewish and literary tales. Syd’s work has garnered awards from ALA, Parents’ Choice, and Storytelling World. He has taught storytelling at the Kennedy Center and Disney World, and received commissions to write pieces for NASA; the Smithsonian Institution; Historic Philadelphia; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; and the Van Andel Museum Center. Recently, he was creating stories for the US Capitol Visitors Center and teaching their 180 docents and volunteers how to tell stories.

Shantel’s love of story began in her childhood with fairy tales, and has since grown to encompass all of it’s forms. She grew up a Navy brat and moved frequently, finally settling in Utah after attending a friend’s wedding as the maid of honor and deciding that the best man was the one for her. As a wife of 13 years and mother of 4, she gets a daily sampling of the many genre’s of story, including (but not at all limited to) – humor, alternate history, dramatic interpretations, tall tales, tragedy, and a smattering of anecdotes based on true stories. A sometimes blogger, a frequent do-it-yourselfer, and always fond of Cadbury Mini Eggs, Shantel can be found, most days, going 5 different directions, but usually ending up in her favorite place – at home.

David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA, is employed by the Family History Department in Salt Lake City as the Chief Genealogical Officer for FamilySearch. A professional genealogist since 1977, he was accredited in Ireland research in 1981. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1980 with a B.A. in Family and Local History. He is the Irish course coordinator and instructor for the Samford University Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR) in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a past-president the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) 1997-2000 and of the Utah Genealogical Association (UGA) 1993-1995 and a Fellow of that organization..

Carol grew up in a home rich with family heritage. Her mother loved genealogy and knew how to breathe life into dusty documents and color to faded black and white photos by telling stories. As a grown woman with five children of her own, she tried to do the same. For years she did it through scrapbooking, but it didn’t take long to realize that it wasn’t her artistic skills her children really cared about, it was the stories behind the pictures. As a product of her mother’s expertise and her own experiences, it was her desire to help other families have what she had growing up. With the help of a wonderful team and Co-Founder, that effort has become an amazing company called Cherish Bound, whose mission is to help every family create a library of their own personal stories – and provide you with whatever help you need, every step of the way.

As the redheaded child of exhausted parents, Kim grew up enjoying the role of the middle child.  Allowed to roam free in the heart of Amish Country, her imagination was ripened by a life lived outdoors. She wrote and performed plays and pageants for her family, did impersonations and comedy bits for visiting guests, and frazzled her teachers with grandiose stories of her daily adventures which included talking animals and impossible inventions. Kim survived numerous attempts, by adults, to cut and curb her rambunctious behavior and prolific imagination.  Lucky us, because now, we get to enjoy the wildflower heart and wonder of that little girl projected through a mature and seasoned artist.  Kim’s stories and songs are the life fruit of growing up free range. In her work as a humorist, storyteller, singer and songwriter, she has taken home many awards. She also worked on and created successful peace projects including the Peace by Piece Project which was collaboration with the Taubman Museum of Fine Arts. She is the founder of The Wrinkles Project and has a book in the Back to the Front Porch Series. She currently has 5 audio collections, the latest one, Head Bone Rattles, being a much anticipated collection of original ghost stories and songs. Her material has been played on NPR affiliate stations as well as Sirius Radio. She has made numerous television appearances, co-hosted a successful morning show for the PAR Radio Network, and has keynoted for some of Forbes most recognized companies.

Cassie is an energetic teller who uses the magic of story to connect family and friends. She believes in the Hero’s Journey of happily ever after but only if you are willing to accept the challenges of life’s obstacles. Join her and her many characters on the road to many different problems and places as they weave their way home.

Wendy Gourley is a playwright, storyteller and story analyst. She has written children’s shows for Utah Valley University’s Noorda Children’s Theatre and is the resident playwright and dramaturg for Resonance Story Theatre. Her play, The Story Stone, is a National Bonderman Symposium 2011 semi-finalist. Wendy has trained with Katherine J. Farmer as a script and text analyst and is a literary agent with Rock Canyon Literary. She is also a performing storyteller, the program director for the Timpanogos Storytelling Conference and a national columnist for The Storytelling Magazine.

Director and Storyteller Rachel Hedman, as family folklore expert and youth storytelling advocate, looks to the future by first looking in the home. She promotes positive communication and relationships through the Family Famine Series while revealing emotions that are often hidden in the heart. Sometimes Rachel adopts musicians, singers, dancers and tellers for collaborative efforts much like a reunion of artists.

Steffani Raff is a talented storyteller and gifted teacher who blends her creative spirit with love of life to craft memorable tales that jump-start the imagination. A mother of four incredible children who love adventure, she is also committed to mentoring others in the art of story creation and sharing, having experienced the benefits of storytelling firsthand.
Steffani has been a professional storyteller for over a decade – performing, educating, conducting workshops, coaching, and mentoring. She also is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. As a mother for more than fourteen years, she has had a lot of experience weaving storytelling into family life. In recent years she has been involved with numerous venues and organizations,such as the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival and Conference, Zions Storytelling Festival, Utah Performing Arts Tour, and the PBS ‘Ready to Learn’ Program through KBYU TV. Steffani is skilled in crafting personal stories and delights in helping others find and craft stories to tell from their own life/family experiences. She also currently serves as a board member for the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, where she helps select and coach the youth who are selected to tell stories at the festival every year.

Nate Robinson lives in Alpine, Utah and attends the ninth grade at Timberline Middle School. He enjoys writing personal and family stories. Occasionally, he thinks he might be an author/illustrator when he grows up. He has performed as a finalist and then as a torchbearer in the National Youth Storytelling Showcase. He is also six-time teller at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. He spends his spare time practicing violin, tennis, and skiing.

The Lower Lights is a collective of more than 20 prominent Utah-rooted musicians, each with their own respective music careers in an impressive cross section of genres– from indie rock, pop, and electronica to americana, folk, and bluegrass. What brought them all together? Hymns. The group draws from a rich collection of hymns ranging from the familiar to the overlooked. Since the release of their full-length debut album, A Hymn Revival, The Lower Lights have been taking their rootsy hymn revival out to the people–rooftops, warehouses, parking lots, auditoriums, theaters, amphitheaters, churches, living rooms, backyards, and, today, a bloggers’ conference.

Gordon’s focus of engaging people in interactive activities using emerging technologies started over 25 years ago with the formation of New Vision Technologies. Later he founded and ran MediaMAXX, Interactive Creations, iMediaBuilders, iPowerPlex and iciMedia. He has produced numerous, video discs, CD-ROMs, karaoke players, animations, digital videos, websites, streaming and social media that connect people with each other through rich interactive content. He is now the Developer Services Manager at FamilySearch with a primary objective to stimulate and coordinate community generated content, technology, and software that moves Family History into everyday life. He is also leading the Family Memories initiative introduced at RootsTech 2012.

Teresa Clark is a national award-winning storyteller, historian, and author. She is best known for her original works and recollections of life’s experiences blended with history. Her newly released CD, “Wears Like Iron,” features such tales. Teresa has presented and performed throughout the United States. Of her it has been said, “Charming, witty, soulful, and wise, her performances are filled with a compelling sense of wonder and an irresistible zest for life.” Her story work involves performance, education, production, and advocacy. From the main stage to individual consultations in living rooms across America, she delights in the excavation and sharing of family story. Teresa will be performing during our Family Story Slam and
presenting two workshops designed especially to help you harvest stories from your family tree. You can find Teresa on the web at http://teresaclark.blogspot.com and teresaclarktells@hotmail.com.

Ken Craig is an account executive for SealSource International as well as a small business owner. He has a passion for writing, which he discovered when he began writing comedy sketches in college as a founding member of BYU’s first comedy troupe, The Garrens. This is also where he met and married his wife, Katie. Ken serves as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he resides with his wife and their seven children.  Their family adventures are featured in Ken’s blog, “The Craig Report,” found at thecraigreport.blogspot.com and he is also a contributing writer to www.parttimeauthors.com.

Jenny Eckton was born and raised in New York, and at age 19 moved to Utah to be in a band with some friends. She’s been blogging since 2005 at formerlyphread.com, and has enjoyed guest-blogging on other sites, as well as presenting at conferences, including BlogHer in August, 2011, in San Diego. Jenny and her husband Darin have been married for 14 & ½ years, live in Provo, Utah, and have six children (5 Alive, 1 in Heaven). Jenny enjoys music, triathlons, Zumba, and traveling. You can follow Jenny on twitter @formerlyphread.

Valerie Elkins, a professional genealogist utilizing 25 years’ experience in blending research and technology with the art of storytelling. Valerie has worked as a research consultant for TV’s Who Do You Think You Are and Generation Project. Researcher, writer, lecturer, storyteller, social media strategist and noted blogger at Family Cherished.

A former public relations executive, Tauni spent the last 12 years handling communications and events for an array of clients, from the NBA and Olympics to the Governor’s office. Today, she handles social media for a local agency and speaks to corporate groups on integrating social media into traditional messaging. Tauni is the founder of SNAP!, a social media conference dedicated to craft and DIY bloggers. The 2012 event will be held April 19-21 in Utah.

Michael J. Hall, has a BS in Anthropology from Brigham Young University (BYU). He lives in Orem, Utah with his wife. They have four married children, and several grandchildren. He is a United States Marine (Once a Marine, always a Marine!) He has worked in the Family History Department for the past twenty-five + years as a United States Reference Consultant, Supervisor of the Library Acquisitions Unit, Manager of Family Records Extraction Program, Digital Book Scanning Program Manager, Strategic Relations Manager, and is currently the Deputy Chief Genealogical Officer working with Libraries and Genealogical Societies worldwide. Prior to that he was employed by BYU as a Research Archaeologist. His research includes the Azores from which his maternal ancestors immigrated to the United States, and upper mid-west region of the United States. In 2005, he was the Vendor Chair for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah; and in 2009 the Vendor Chair for the FGS Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is also a member of the Genealogy and Local History committee of the American Library Association, and sits on a similar committee of the International Federation of Libraries and Associations (IFLA). He has written various genealogical guides for the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City, and an article for the FGS Forum on the importance of using the FamilySearch Wiki.

DeNae Handy is an avid blogger, storyteller, writer, and editor. She is a popular speaker at blogging conferences throughout the country, helping bloggers become better, more effective writers. DeNae passionately believes that everyone has a story to tell, and she teaches her audiences about narrative arc, the writer’s voice, and the joy of bringing even the simplest stories to life.

Through Family History Expos, Holly has helped thousands understand the techniques and technology to trace their roots in today’s ever-changing technological environment. She received a B.A. in History from Weber State University and continues to dedicate time to education on a daily basis. She is an avid family historian and storyteller.

Emily Hill is a wife, mother, entrepreneur and writer. When she’s not driving carpool, cleaning crayon off the walls, scraping dried macaroni off the floor or hiding in her closet, she enjoys entertaining readers with her random ramblings on isthisREALLYmylife.com. She is the co-owner and managing editor of SassyScoops.com; contributing editor for BoutiqueCafe.com; contributing writer for Blogcritics.org; and a member of the eBay Parent Panel. In her spare time she is a freelance copywriter and copyeditor composing press releases, copyediting email campaigns and writing articles for companies like eSpeakers, Rain, Armed Work Wear and YouCanMakeThis.com. Diet Coke and chocolate make it all possible.