Listings A-E
GENE ANDERSON lives in Midland, Michigan. He joined I.B.M. and Ring 60 in 1964 while in graduate school in Austin, Texas. He is currently the Ring 212 treasurer in Michigan. Gene may have coined the term "part-time" pro; in any event he has performed magic professionally (that means he was paid for it) in 21 countries on six continents, and he was also a global director in research at the Dow Chemical Company. Best known for newspaper magic and the Gene Anderson newspaper tear, Gene performs stage, parlor and close-up magic, and he is also a professional speaker. More information on Gene can be found by logging into one of his websites: www.geneanderson.com or www.geneanderson.biz
LARRY BEAN has been been performing magic for 27 years and has had continuous IBM membership for 22 years. He specializes in stage magic, but he also loves Children Shows. By day, he is the Technology Coordinator for a school district in Arkansas. For nearly 17 years Larry has lived in Paris, Arkansas. He is a past President of Ring 75 (Fort Smith Magic Club - Bill Pitts Ring) and now serves it as their Vice-President. Currently Larry is the TVP for Arkansas and works with Rings 29, 75, and 308. His very first Ring was the Thoroughbred Magic Guild - Ring 198 in Lexington, KY. For a short time he was also a member of the West Palm Beach Ring. Larry is married to Anne for 29 years and have two grown sons. More information on Larry is available at his web site: http://www.beanmagic.com/
BEV BERGERON was born in Baytown, Texas. He majored in Advertising, Marketing and Journalism at University of Texas. Joined the Air Force and was Staff Sergeant -- NCIO of Special Services Sheppard AFB. He was the co-creator of the Beef Stick while at Hickory Farms of Ohio. He became an associate of Mark Wilson. Bev was Associate Producer/writer/actor for Magic Circus (the first video taped series, nationally syndicated), The Magic Land of Allakazam CBS-TV, Pillsbury's Magic Circus and scores of trade shows and theme park shows. He was the Director and Star in Walt Disney World's Diamond Horseshoe Revue. Bev Joined Ring #60, Austin, Texas in 1949. He was elected to the I.B.M. Board of Trustees in 1989 - ELECTED INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT in 1996. He has served as Chairman/Co-Chairman/active member of committees to run the IBM conventions. Bev has also been the writer/ghost writer of several magic books, booklets and manuscripts including Willard the Wizard, Tony Marks - Illusion in the Round, Bev On Tape: Rebo Nose Clowning - The Magic of .... - Comedy & Clowning - Golden Years of the Diamond Horseshoe. He is a regular contributor to the: Linking Ring (monthly column), M.U.M., Genii, Magic, Magicana and other magazines. - Inventor of hundreds of magic effects used by most magicians of the world. Developed a method of making an animal from one single balloon - no, not a snake. He was elected to the SAM. Hall of Fame of Los Angeles in 1992 He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Fellowship given by the Academy of Magic Arts and Sciences (The Magic Castle) in Hollywood... You know, we think we should have stopped at the invention of the beef stick!
JOSEPH M. BERTUZZI - Joe has been a member of the I.B.M. for more than thirty years. For ten years he served as Territorial Vice President of California, and for nine years served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. In 2000 he was inducted into the Order of Merlin, and in 2002 was awarded an Honorary Membership. He is currently a Trustee of the Endowment and Development Foundation (E&DF), and has served as its Chairman since 1991. Joe has developed many programs and projects that have benefited the I.B.M. and its members. These include: The Liability Insurance and Canadian Liability Insurance programs, the I.B.M. Gold Ring, the Lifetime Membership program, "The Linking Ring" on CD ROM project, and is currently working to put the entire Linking Ring collection on the internet. He setup the Visa, MasterCard, American Express program for our headquarters office, so members could pay their dues, convention registrations, and make donations to the E&DF. Recently he setup a Visa Affinity credit card program so members could have an I.B.M. branded credit card. He helped set up the I.B.M. Internet program with Past President Dave Sandy, and is currently working with Michael Ammar and the E&DF Trustees to establish Magic Works University, a program to teach magic to youth members. For the past year the E&DF have been working on a very exciting program that hopefully will be announced at a later date.
TONY BINARELLI has been interesting in illusions and magic since 1952. In 1958 he became a member of the "Club Magico Italiano" in Bologna. From 1960 to 1972 he specialized in close up magic and card magic, as a beginner first, then as a semi-professional magician. In 1972 he became TV personality and professional magician enlarging his magical program. At the end of 70' he reached the celebrity status thanks to his participation in the first edition of the famous TV show "Domenica" presented by Corrado. From 1982 his magic targeted situation-comedy, and magical show which involved the audience. Since then he has created a lot of TV magical shows both national and international. Tony is the IBM Territorial Vice President for Italy, Presidente del CLUB MAGICO di ROMA, affiliato à la Fèderation International Societées Magiques. 2005 Membro Onorario dell' INNER MAGIC CIRCLE - LONDON, "GOLD STAR"
RICH BLOCH is a lawyer, arbitrator and magician. He is an active member of the I.B.M. for many years taking part in our annual conventions as the perennial M.C. for our Gold Medal Gala Shows. At age 7, he began as a demonstrator in Ted Collins' Mecca Magic Studio in East Orange, New Jersey. Thereafter, he served as an assistant to Dick DuBois when he was T.V's Magic Clown, on the DuMont television network. He joined the IBM in 1956. Rich currently continues to perform for a variety of cruise ship companies and corporate groups and is able to keep a law practice afloat in his spare time. He serves on the IBM Grievance Committee. As one of the founders of "Collector's Workshop", Rich was active in the creation of some of magic's most exciting props and illusions. When not in his law office in Washington D.C., he is on the road with his magic act or is the featured speaker for a corporate meeting somewhere around the country. Rich Bloch is quite simply the best Master of Ceremonies anywhere.
DR. KEITH BOGART is a retired Neurologist, living on Hilton Head Island, SC, with his wife Alice. His 3 grown children live in California and Oregon. He has performed as a part-time professional, both Magic and Mentalism, for 27 yrs., and is interested in magic collecting and Magic History. His performances have been largely comedy cabaret style. Keith loves teaching, and has given developed several magic courses (both adult and children) over the years. He is a member of the Magic Collectors Association, as well as the other Magic organizations listed below. International Brotherhood of Magicians 1983- present (eligible for Order of Merlin 2008) - Territorial Vice President from Ohio 1986 - -1991 Membership Committee (New Member welcome) I.B.M. Ring 189 "Knights of Magic" - Past President Co-Founder - International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 349, Hilton Head, SC - 2000 - President 2002-3, 2008-9 Honorary Member Ring 2, Youngstown, Ohio. Society of American Magicians - Magic Circle (London, England) - Associate of the Inner Magic Circle - Psychic Entertainers Association - Founder - Mansfield, Ohio Young Magicians Club, 1992 - I have had the following honors: 1988 & 2002 Presidential Citation, International Brotherhood of Magicians. - 2003 Magician of the Year Award for South Carolina - 1994-present Who's Who in America, Marquis Publication (partly on magic activities).
GREGORY BRACCO became an I.B.M. member in the early 1980's. At present he is living in Yeongju City, South Korea and is the I.B.M. Territorial Vice President for South Korea. For the past 5 years he has been living in Yeongju teaching English to Korean Elementary and Middle School students. Yeongju City does not have a local I.B.M. Ring but in Seoul he has two new I.B.M. Rings which are doing a very good job getting the Korean magicians more information on the I.B.M. so I am very proud of them both. I really don't have a favorite kind of magic. I love to watch and perform different styles whichever suits the occasion. I can be reached via email: Gbracco2003@yahoo.com
JOAN CAESAR was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She met her husband, George, during the second week of their first year of University in 1967 and as the saying goes, ‘I chased him until he caught me'. Joan has been enriched over the years by her wonderful family, children and the friends she has met through magic. Her first IBM convention was in Quebec City. She now attends about 10 conventions a year and is looking forward to attending more overseas conventions in the future. She has been TVP for Ontario since 1999, and is on the IBM Board. She performs shows for children at birthday parties, libraries, schools, corporate family events country fairs and picnics, and also performs close up and parlour magic at senior centers. In 1997 she founded The Canadian Association of Magicians, an organization that became the Canadian representative of FISM in 2000. As part of CAM, she runs the Canadian National Convention every 2nd year. Joan feels fortunate to have judged at the IBM, SAM, FISM, Columbus Magifest, and MacMillan's conventions over the years, and is head judge at the IBM/SAM Combined Convention in Louisville. Joan taught remedial English in Kingston, Jamaica and for 20 years worked with learning disabled children in Elmira, Ontario. She was a social worker at the former Reception and Assessment Centre for Ontario delinquents and for Big Brothers of Canada for 26 years. Retired in February 2007, she is busier than ever! Joan is the current President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
FRED CASTO... It all started with a magic set received for Christmas when Fred was eight years old in his hometown of Logan, West Virginia. He began performing for school and church functions, civic luncheons and corporate holiday parties. He joined the International Brotherhood of Magicians in 1955 as a junior member and is a member of I.B.M's Order of Merlin - Excalibur. Following college at West Virginia University, law school at Washington & Lee University and service as a lawyer with the U.S. Navy, he settled in Northern California where he now resides with his wife and magical assistant, Mánya. He joined Ring 38 of the I.B.M., Assembly 112 of the S.A.M. and an independent club, the Oakland Magic Circle, where he served two terms as President. In the mid 1980's he took the Chavez College of Magic course and became active with the I.B.M. on the international level. He joined the Executive Committee in 2000, served in various capacities before becoming the I.B.M International President in 2006. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees as a P.I.P. and is a member of the Grievance Committee. He is a member of The Magic Circle holding the MIMC degree. Currently retired and living in Walnut Creek, California, (San Francisco area) he stays active with local clubs, the I.B.M. and performs for corporate functions and private parties.
. EARLE CHRISTENBERRY has been a member of the I.B.M., for sixty years and was recently inducted into the Order of Excalibur. He served as International President 1973-1974. He was General Chairman of seven International Conventions; He served as International Secretary for seven years and was made an honory Life Member in 1986. In 1993 he was awarded the I.B.M. Medallion of Honor, the highest award of our organization. He continues to serve as a Trustee of the Endowment and Development Foundation. echristenb@aol.com
ANDRE CIOCCA: Member of I.B.M. since 1990, he does parlour magic, magic for children, close-up and telepathy with his wife Linda. Retired for the last 10 years, he was Country Manager for Switzerland in a multinational fashion company. He is now Interim President of FISM Europe, President of the I.B.M. Ring 207, the I.B.M. Territorial Vice President for Switzerland, Member of the Magic Club of Lausanne, for which he was President during 12 years, and Member of the FFAP. He is the co-author with Jean de Merry of "Dictionnaire de la prestidigitation", the first dictionary of magic in French. His web site is ww.andrecadabra.com.
JOHN DESTEFANO is a retired founding partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, one of the largest international public accounting firms in the world. DeStefano was born in Chicago and is a graduate of DePaul University were he received both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy (1971) and a Master of Science Degree in Taxation (1977). John received his CPA in 1973 having passed the comprehensive examination on his first attempt. An educator, DeStefano received the 1982 R. Glen Berryman award for outstanding contributions to professional education from the Minnesota CPA Society in recognition for his service as an adjunct professor of taxation at the University of Minnesota's Graduate School Business. John has been a member of the IBM since 1993 and has served since then as a continuous member and, most recently, as Chairman of the IBM Audit Committee. In 2006, John was appointed annual convention comptroller by IBM President Fred Casto and in 2007, was appointed to the IBM Board of Trustees by President Philip Wilmarth to succeed recently deceased board member Richard Stubble. John is also a long time member of the SAM, the Magic Castle of Hollywood, California and the Magic Circle in London, England.
DeStefano has made a number of significant contributions, over the years, to the IBM accounting policies and procedures and recently contributed to the implementation of revised and streamlined budgeting and spending controls for the IBM annual convention. His extensive business acumen and accounting expertise has proved a valuable asset to the IBM board over the years.
ABB DICKSON • Magical Entertainer, Designer, Corporate Speaker, Creative Consultant, Television and Film Personality, and, All Round Swell Guy! It’s nearly impossible to summarize Abb’s incredibly versatile background on one page… In the Magic World, Abb is known as a top performer, creator and lecturer… In the Business World, his talents range from Corporate Speaker and Consultant, to Motivational Speaker and Entertainer… In the Architectural and Interior Design World, Abb’s work has been featured in such prestigious publications as Architectural Digest, Smithsonian, and Forbes Magazines. Abb’s broad life experience, understanding of human nature and psychology coupled with his love of comedy and magical creativity position him above the competition as a “Conceptualist Consultant” to design Advertising Campaigns and Product Launches for Major Corporations, Feature Film releases, and Theatrical Productions internationally! Domestically and Internationally, Abb’s massive touring Theatrical Illusion Show, “PRESTO! A MAGICAL SPECTACULAR” has already graced the stages in all 50 states and 29 European countries with a cast and crew of 29 for an hour and a half jam packed full of over 35 Giant Illusions! Now, although he is not “touring with the big show” anymore, he is FAR from being retired and travels extensively to show locations around the world… and continues to enjoy his life in Magic
MIKE DURANT is the Director of IS for a manufacturing firm in Fort Wayne Indiana, a part time wine geek for a local liquor store and hosts a couple of radio shows. He has wife, Nan, daughter Lee, sons Geoff and Jon, grandchildren, Justin, Brian and Olivia. Mike discovered magic watching Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell, joined the Academy of Magical Arts in 1995, the IBM in 1996 when he and several area magicians restarted A.H. Stoner Ring 221. He has been secretary/treasurer there ever since. He joined the Global Electronic Ring 2100 and has been an officer there for a while.At his first convention, Minneapolis, Jamie O'Hara got Mike started judging. With his help and guidance, finally became Head Judge. He is also Chairman of the Internet committee. Through Ring 221 he met partner, Launda Lee. They perform as Magical F/X. Mike does stage, some close-up and parlor magic.
WILLIAM EARLEY grew up in Parker Colorado just south of Denver. He started in magic at the age of 8 when his Father showed him the Penetration Frame. He was hooked ever since. At 11 years William did his first paying show for an Egyptian Government dignitary. There were 12 kids and he was told that although the man that hired him did not speak English he really enjoyed the show and laughed a lot. He made thirty dollars for the show which tripled his net worth at the time. All through high school William continued to do shows for kids birthday parties and family gatherings. He now performs as "The Magic Jester - Controlled Mayhem". He worked at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival for 13 years performing on stage as well as doing street magic having done some Busking as well. One of his original effects was published in Thyumista Magic's Altar Flame periodical. An effect that has an image appear on the face of a stone in the spectators hand. Gene Anderson, Hugh Turley, Paul West, Fred Baisch and Bruce Jenson have all influenced, mentored and contributed to his success and growth in performing magic. William is currently the I.B.M. Territorial Vice President for Minnesota - http://www.magicjester.com/
DR. BOB ESCHER - Bob Escher has been a member of the I.B.M. for 28 years. He was inducted into the Order of Merlin in 2002. Bob has served on numerous committees over the years in the I.B.M. He served as a member of the Ballot Committee and several years on the Convention Committee in many capacities (1995-1998 Activities Chairman, 1999&2000 Registration Chairman, Convention Chairman in 2000). He also served on the I.B.M. Executive Committee 1996-1999 and has been a member of the Endowment and Development Foundation Committee since 1999. Bob served as International President in 2001-2002. Bob enjoys performing close-up, parlor and stage. Bob is a retired orthodontist. Email: robertajrdr@bellsouth.net
WILLIAM E. EVANS -Bill has been a member of the IBM for over 30 years (Order of Merlin) and served 3 years as legal advisor to David Sandy, Tony Wilson and Roger Miller. Bill is a long time member of the Audit Committee and Endowment and Development Foundation Committee. He has also served and the chairman of the Ethics Committee and is currently the Chairman of the Grievance Committee. A tax lawyer by profession, Bill organized and formed the IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention, LLC and is currently the Legal Advisor for that organization. Bill was recently nominated by the IBM Board of Trustees for a position on the Executive Committee. Mr. Evans received his bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 1974 and his law degree in 1977 from the University of Missouri where he was a member of the Law Review. In 1980, Mr. Evans received his LL.M. in Taxation from Southern Methodist University. Mr. Evans is a Fellow in the American College of Tax Counsel, and a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, the American Bar Association (Member, Civil and Criminal Tax Penalties Committee, Taxation Section, Chair, Subcommittee on Important Civil Developments, 1995-1997), and the Missouri Bar. Bill Evans: wevans@cecb.com
(Listed Alphabetically)
