Board of Directors
The Society for the Promotion of Speculative Fiction is guided by a dedicated and passionate Board of Directors. Our board members bring extensive experience and a strong commitment to fostering creativity, diversity, and innovation in the speculative fiction community. Together, they lead our mission to support emerging voices and celebrate the limitless possibilities of imaginative storytelling.
Board Seats
Our Board of Directors is elected to alternating three-year terms (4-3-4). Each year, members vote for candidates who embody our mission and values. This election process ensures our leadership remains dynamic and reflective of our diverse community, introducing fresh perspectives and ideas. This democratic approach empowers our members to influence the organization’s direction and future. Elections are held during BayCon, with results announced on the final day of the convention.
To be eligible for candidacy, you must be a Member in Good Standing (current on dues with no disciplinary action recorded in the previous calendar year). Any eligible member may apply or nominate another once the nominating period opens in the weeks before BayCon. Candidates are encouraged to attend BayCon, and those who do will wear a badge or button indicating their candidacy. This invites open discussions between the candidates and voting members during the convention, to help make informed decisions before casting ballots. All ballots will be accepted online, through a process announced by the Board President or Secretary. All ballots will be validated and tallied by the Secretary.Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Under Article 9 of the Society’s Bylaws, Officers of the Board and the Corporation are elected at the first regular meeting of the fiscal year by the Directors. The Bylaws require a Board Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer/CFO, as well as a Corporate President/CEO and Vice-President. The offices of the Chairperson and President have been combined since inception. In 2023, under Board Resolution, the President created the office of the Chief Technical Officer to handle all IT requirements.
All Officers serve for one-year terms. Those Officers, as well as Director whose terms are due for expiration, shall have their terms end at the conclusion of the Annual Board Meeting at BayCon.
Current Board and Corporate Officers
Below are the Board members and Officers elected for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 2025 – June 2026).
Michael Garcia
Board Chairperson and Corporate President/CEO
Elected to the Society board in 2023; term expires in 2026. With a distinguished career in leadership and corporate governance, Michael brings extensive experience from serving on the boards of several prominent organizations. He has served on non-profit boards and committees since 2014. Professionally, he works in Litigation Support (since 2008).
Christopher Castro
Board Vice-Chairperson/Secretary
Re-elected to the Society board in 2024; term expires in 2027. This is his second term. He is also serving as the Corporate Vice-President, Chair of the Board’s Special Projects Committee, Chair of the Bylaws & Governance Committee, and as Vice-Chair of the Marketing Committee. Chris has previously served as BayCon Chair in 2017, 2022, and 2023.
SallyRose Robinson
Board Treasurer and Corporate CFO
Elected to the Society board in 2023; term expires in 2026. She is currently chair of the Governance Committee and the BayCon Executive Committee. She has previously served as Board Secretary BayCon Chair in 2015 and 2025.
Shon Elliott
Corporate CTO
Presently serves as a Corporate Officer only. Previously elected to the Society board in 2023; term expired in 2025. He serves as Chair of the Technology Committee.
Shavon Walker
Director and Corporate CMO
Re-elected to the Society board in 2024; term expires in 2027. This is her second term. She is currently Chair of the Marketing Committee.
Marsha Glassner
Director
Elected to the Society board in 2024; term expires in 2026. She is currently the Chair of the Member Services Committee.
Wanda Kurtcu, Ed.D
Director
Elected to the Society board in 2024; term expires in 2027. She is currently Chair of the Events Oversight Committee.
Dave O'Shea
Director
Elected to the Society board in 2025, term expires in 2028.
Erik Roberts
Director
Elected to the Society board in 2025; term expires in 2028. He serves as Assistant CTO and Vice-Chair of the Technology Committee.
Eric Sayle
Director
Elected to the Society board in 2023; term expired in 2025. He serves as Vice-Chair of the Member Services Committee.
Robert Toland
Director
Re-elected to the Society board in 2024; term expires in 2026. This is his second term. He previously served as Corporate Vice-President and Chair of the BayCon Bid Committee. Robert has previously served as BayCon Chairperson in 2010, 2011, and 2019.
Robin Vasilakos
Director
Elected to the Society board in 2023; re-elected in 2025, term expires in 2028. This is her second term. She is currently Chair of the Fundraising & Development Committee.
Former Directors
Durelle Kurlinski
Former Board Treasurer and Corporate CFO
Previously elected to the Society board in 2023; term expired in 2025. She served as the Chairperson of the Finance Committee. She has previously served as BayCon Executive Committee Chair in 2024. She presently sits on the Board Finance Committee.