Category: Presenters

Author/critic William Latham is the author of seven novels in Powys Media’s Space:1999 series as well as Mary’s Monster, a modern-day sequel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. He has also contributed film criticism to John Kenneth Muir’s Horror Films of the 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2009 series and Muir’s Superheroes in Film and Television. He authored the non-fiction Chasing the Cyclops for Powys Media and co-authored the young adult book Scary Stories of Stamford. Born in New Jersey, Latham has dabbled in information technology for decades and is currently working on a Cold War thriller that takes place during the production of a famous 1970s film. He can be reached via his website www.williamlatham.net.

I am a native of New Jersey and have been a fan of Science Fiction since first being introduced to Star Trek in the early 1970’s. My earliest recollections are seeing it advertised in the local TV Guide for its syndicated appearance on Channel 11, WPIX, New York.

My love of the series opened the door to other science fiction classics of the 1960’s: Lost In Space, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, The Invaders, UFO, The Outer Limits, and The Twilight Zone, to mention just a few. These fantastic television shows of the 1960’s carried over my interest into other science fiction television of the 1970’s: The Six Million Dollar Man, Star Trek: The Animated Series, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Space:1999, Ark 2, The Bionic Woman, Logan’s Run, Battlestar Galactica, and Buck Rogers In The 25th Century, to also name a few.

The shows closest to my heart have always been Classic Star Trek, and Space:1999. These shows have allowed me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, and establish lifelong friendships worldwide, due to our common bond and love of our beloved shows.

It has been truly a rewarding experience being a presenter at previous Trekonderoga Events over the years. These presentations helped to inspire me to start my weekly LIVE Internet show broadcast over Facebook (Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner celebrating its 4th year this April) during the pandemic to help bring friends and fans of science fiction together from all over the world to share in the love of the genre.

I very much look forward to presenting this year at Trekonderoga, as it is not only enjoyable time to discuss the love of science fiction with fellow fans but to see my extended family of friends, I have met over the last nine years at this special annual event!! LLAP!!

Dr. Knuth is a Professor of Physics at the University at Albany (SUNY) and the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Entropy (MDPI). He is a former NASA research scientist having worked at NASA Ames Research Center in the Intelligent Systems Division designing artificial intelligence algorithms for astrophysical data analysis. His current research interests include the foundations of physics, quantum information, autonomous robotics, the search for and characterization of extrasolar planets, and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). He has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and has been invited to give over 100 presentations in 18 countries.

Mike Rizzo is a lifetime Star Trek and SciFi Fan. He grew up watching classic SciFi TV like Star Trek the original series, Lost in Space, and Space 1999. Of course, in 1977 his world changed when Star Wars hit the theaters. Throughout the years he has collected and created props and memorabilia from the many movies and TV shows he loved. Mike worked in the TV broadcasting industry for 23 years with specialty in studio lighting and engineering. Mike has been a volunteer at the Set Tour since 2015. He currently hosts his own SciFi webcast called SciFi Distilled airing weekly on Facebook and YouTube!

Kent Schmidt was born in South Carolina, but was relocated to Upstate NY when he was a teenager. He graduated college with a degree in Political Science. He began working in retail environments until he started a 22-year career selling and leasing automobiles. A lifelong computer and electronic enthusiast, he transitioned into an IT management position with the Della Auto Group and now supports 250+ users with their technology issues. He is one year and one day younger than the original Star Trek, but was propped up in his crib to watch some of the original run… After Trek went into syndication, he rarely missed an episode after school and never during the summer months. He worked as a Production Assistant, then Grip, Key Grip, and finally, Gaffer for the long-running fan series Star Trek New Voyages/ Phase II. His study of Jerry Finnerman’s lighting techniques and practices and his application of those methods resulted in the high point of his lighting career when David Gerrold said “You are channeling Jerry Finnerman with your lighting. Kent, he would be proud of you.” His perspective on the Borg stems from an extensive Science Fiction library and decades of reading, watching, and studying Sci-Fi in all its forms.

Phil Merkel aka “Captain Phil” is a DJ on WUSB 90.1 fm radio and host of “Captain Phil’s Planet.” The Planet airs alternate Thursdays 3 pm to 5 pm and streams at www.wusb.fm if you are out of the WUBS listening area. Captain Phil embraces all music genres on his planet and most other planets as well. In a former life, Phil taught music for a Special Education agency on Long Island for 31 years. He is now retired and living in his secret underground headquarters somewhere in West Coxsackie, NY.