Note: This is a candidate page for a Judge Foundry Election. Information on this page is provided by the candidate, and does not represent the opinions or positions of the Elections Committee or of Judge Foundry. For more information about this election, see the schedule and index for the Elections at the 2025 Annual Meeting.
- Name: Gary Roland
- Location: Anniston, Alabama
- Election: 2025 Annual Meeting
- Running For: Regional Advocate of South Central
Nomination Statement
Since the last election, I was happy to be the Regional Advocate for the South Central. Since then, I’ve been happy to help remote judges connect with other judges in various ways such as Discord, email, carrier pigeon, or meeting at a large event near us. I’ve solved problems with finding a time and place to test for various levels as well as networking with other regions to make sure judges have events near them and opportunities for them to do good for their stores, their states and their region.
If re-elected, I would love nothing more than to continue to help people better themselves as judges no matter the distance.
Q1: Judge Program Direction
Question: This year, many members are uncertain about our future due to Wizards of the Coast’s announcement of a new Judge Program Manager role. How will you support your region through this uncertainty and potential transition?
By continuing to ask them to invest in themselves and others. We’ve been through several program iterations and in each of those cases, a judge stays a judge who loves this game and its community.
Q2: Local Judges and Judging
Question: As a Regional Advocate, how will you support local judges and encourage local judging in your region?
I’m a firm believer in networking. That’s not just in person, but online. Some of the best judges I’ve met are very active both in their local communities and on forums and groups. You learn and teach a lot that way.
Q3: Programs and Projects
Question: How do you plan to use Conferences and other major projects like Exemplar or this year’s Review Competition to support and grow your region?
Encouragement! I like to lead by example, so I would love nothing more than participating in those things myself and encouraging others to do so.