MEET MUNZEE MONDAY

Meet Munzee Munzday: Sheryl

Here at Munzee we’re constantly encouraging our players to meet and greet and build the personal relationships that make this game so great. Today we are going to get to know Sheryl, one of the many members of the team who keeps things running smoothly! 

My husband and I in our favorite place in the Rockies

Name and Title:

Sheryl Marusic, Bookkeeper

Where are you from?

Originally from the Philadelphia side of Pennsylvania. My husband, Steve, and I moved to Texas 6 years ago due to his job transfer.

Tell us about yourself:

I am married and the mother of 5 grown children. My husband has 3 grown children. A couple of our children are married, and we have one grandchild on the way. Most of our children reside in either the Pittsburgh side of Pennsylvania or the Philadelphia side, so we travel back and forth a lot. There is one child in San Diego, CA. I worked in business before becoming a full-time mom. I then eventually became an elementary teacher in Pennsylvania. Now I’m back in the business side of Munzee as a bookkeeper. My husband and I love to travel, mostly in the USA. Our favorite thing to do is hike in the mountains, especially the Rockies. We also do marriage ministry in our church, helping couples have the best marriages possible.

With all my children and their partners/spouses

How long have your worked for Munzee?

I have worked for Munzee for 4 years. I started out in Production and was asked to implement Quickbooks, an accounting software, after a couple months of being an employee. My first degree was in accounting, so I have gone full circle in my career.

How did you find Munzee?

I came to Munzee through Cecie Newman, previous Vice-President. I knew her from our church, and she was aware that I was looking for a part-time and flexible job. After coming to Texas, I decided to retire from teaching and wanted to go part-time. An opening came up in Production, and she hired me and then later asked me to do the bookkeeping for the company. 

My husband’s children with their partners/spouses

What do you enjoy most about Munzee?

What I enjoy most about Munzee is the people. Everyone on staff are great people to work with. At the MHQ bashes I get to meet some of the players too and find them to be very kind people. I also really enjoy working with numbers. They are my “therapy” in life. ?

What are some of your other hobbies?

Some other hobbies I have are reading and watching movies. My husband loves doing the same, so we make a great team!

Famous last words?

Famous last words I will have to steal from a country song: “Always stay humble and kind.”

Stay tuned to get to know more members of the team!

Another shot of us in our favorite place in the Rockies

Meet Munzee Munzday: Delana

Here at Munzee we’re constantly encouraging our players to meet and greet and build the personal relationships that make this game so great. Today we are going to get to know a member of the team who has been around for a while. Please welcome Delana! 

Brendan and me

Name and Title:

Delana Adams, Customer Service for Eventzee (delanamunzee)

Where are you from?

Born in Kansas city, MO, but I’ve lived in Texas for most of my life.

Tell us about yourself:

I was lucky enough to find the love of my life early in life. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart, Brendan, for 2 1/2 years now. We live in Little Elm with our amazing dog Ellie. We just moved back to Texas after living in California while Brendan was in the Marine Corps. We really loved our life and the family we created while living out there, but we’re very excited for this new chapter of life. My husband is obsessed with getting another dog now that we have a house (we’ll see), and we are planning on starting a family soon.

My sweet Ellie Bean

I actually have a full time job, and now do Eventzee only part time, but still love it and working with all my Munzee and FT team members as much as I can. I love to cook and bake and play with my dog. I love rewatching movies (it drives my husband crazy), and going to the movies for date night. I miss seeing the ocean every day, but I don’t miss that cold Pacific Ocean water.

How long have your worked for Munzee?

Just hit my 4 year mark! They haven’t found a reason to get rid of me yet!

How did you find Munzee?

I heard about Munzee through my dad actually, because he knew Rob, Matt, and TJ through a local hockey team. And funnily enough, I was going to school for Culinary Arts, and I was going to work in the kitchen for the marketplace (RIP Munzee Marketplace). So what started out as me working in the marketplace part time turned into me running the kitchen, then managing the store when the kitchen closed (RIP again LOL), then helping out with Eventzee when I could spare a few hours a week, then Eventzee full time, and then to part time when I moved out to California. I’ve worn many hats within Munzee, and now Freeze Tag!

With the best dog in the whole world

What do you enjoy most about Munzee?

Although I’m not as much involved in Munzee as everyone else is, and I don’t work in the office anymore, I have never felt out of place. The team and the players have always welcomed me (even if no one ever knows what I do haha). When I lived in Cali, I went to one of the birthday events, and I knew people from previous MHQ bashes and other events who I talked to like we’d known each other forever. The family that Munzee has created and Freeze Tag has built upon is amazing, and I love being a part of it.

With my best friend, Nicole, at Disneyland for my birthday in 2018

What are some of your other hobbies?

I love yoga, and I’m finally starting to get back into it now that I have the time and space for it. My husband has gotten into wood working, so we’ve got lots of projects keeping us busy now on the weekends. Hockey and football are also major loves of my life. Now that we’re back home, I’m excited to be able to watch games with my family again. Eating might not be a hobby, but I love doing it. Trying new foods, flavors, and recipes are some of my favorite things to do.

Famous last words?

“If I don’t have some cake soon, I might die.” – Stanley Hudson, The Office

Stay tuned to get to know more members of the team!

With Wylie and Louise at MH-BOO Bash 2018

Meet Munzee Munzday: Louise

Here at Munzee we’re constantly encouraging our players to meet and greet and build the personal relationships that make this game so great. Today we are going to get to know the lovely lady Lou, who some of you may recognize from the Flat Lou Munzees! Let’s learn more about our British staff member and skilled cyclist. 

With my two beautiful sons

Name and Title:

Louise Gibson, Worldwide Events Manager (geoibsons)

Where are you from?

London, England, but I have moved all over the place, and who knows where I’ll end up!

Tell us about yourself:

I’m 41 and a Mum of 2 boys, now 8 & 11. We live in a pretty town called Marlow, west of London. I juggle being a single Mum, working for Munzee, cycling for Great Britain & my InternationElles team and holding down a long distance relationship with Rob. I am truly happy on my bicycle or when I travel. Combining the two is my favourite, but only really great if Rob is there too. I am super proud to have just completed the full Tour de France in a move for equality for women’s cycling. My team gained worldwide recognition and praise for what we were doing, and the best moment was when Rob proposed on the Champs Élysées at the end of the Tour. My boys and I are currently enjoying a few weeks in Texas during their school holidays.

A very easy yes

How long have your worked for Munzee?

I’ve worked for Munzee for over 4 years. I took events over in May 2015. I had hosted my own Munzee event the month previous and had so many suggestions to how things could be done I was offered the job! Since then Munzee events have exploded. I’ve helped hosts put together over 2,200 events all over the world. My favourite aspect of the job is working with Trish. I love seeing what she puts together for the badges and icons and passing them onto the hosts.

Rob joined in for one stage with the InternationElles 

How did you find Munzee?

I found Munzee through geocaching right back when Munzee was less than 2 months old (August 2011). I resisted for a while, because I knew I would get super involved and didn’t have much free time, but when clan wars started I couldn’t resist any longer and I jumped in with both feet!

With Rob, Matt, and Dylan in our OppoSuits

What do you enjoy most about Munzee?

The Munzee community is the best thing about the game. The players are wonderful. I am lucky to have met so many all over the world and they are great. Kind, fun and competitive, it’s fabulous. I love working with them to put together their amazing events and I love that I’m helping pull people together to have a good time and get outside.

What are some of your other hobbies?

Cycling. It takes up most of my time. I train 5-6 days a week year round. My next race is in Poland on 1st September, Gran Fondo World Championships where I will be representing Great Britain. Outside of cycling, I love to travel, and I love to be with Rob⁠—  thankfully the two go hand in hand. He has completely changed my life and opened my eyes to anything being possible. You only live once, make the most of it and make changes if you aren’t happy.

Famous last words?

Think I just said them above, oops.

Stay tuned to get to know more members of the team!

With the InternationElles one day before Stage 1 of 21 Stages (photo credit: Attacus Cycling @attacuscc) 

Meet Munzee Munzday: Dylan

Here at Munzee we’re constantly encouraging our players to meet and greet and build the personal relationships that make this game so great. Today we have the chance to get to know Dylan, the behind the scenes man who makes many fantastic aspects of Munzee possible. If you’ve been following us for a while, you might remember his 2014 Meet Dylan! Let’s see how things have changed since then! 

Striking a pose with Wylie at a friend’s wedding

Name and Title:

Dylan Derryberry, Creative Director (dderryberry60)

Where are you from?

I grew up in McKinney, TX as part of Munzee’s farm team long before they knew they’d need me.

Tell us about yourself:

Looks like a lot has changed since the last time I did this. I’m only slightly more humble than my previous Meet Munzee Munzday would suggest, but alongside my two corgis, the family has also grown to include a loving pibble named Dean, and my five year old daughter Etta. With the help of my wife and FT teammate Wylie, I try and juggle the family at home as well as at the one at office.

A very Derryberry Christmas card

I grew up in North Texas playing hockey, and then I took my talents to Glenwood Springs, CO followed by Lawrence, KS to get a little bit o’ learning under my belt before jumping into the working world. I studied Journalism at the University of Kansas, and I was pretty dead set on pursuing a career in that field. Life had other plans, but luckily my skills as a writer alongside a stellar cover letter led me to an opportunity with Munzee. Now five years later I’m doing a bit less writing, but working with a great team to take location-based gaming to the next level.

Another successful McKinney Ice Hockey Club alumni game back in 2016 with my biggest fan

How long have your worked for Munzee?

I’ve worked for Munzee for five years, the last two of which have been with Freeze Tag. As Creative Director I bridge the gap between gameplay and development. So more or less I help Rob’s crazy ideas come to fruition and hopefully keep Daniel Fischer from getting too overworked.

How did you find Munzee?

After college I moved back home to write for a local news organization as a sports reporter focused on the city’s high school teams. Unfortunately that publication shut down a few months into my time there, which left me looking for work with a kid on the way. Upon picking up my last paycheck, I asked my editor for a letter of recommendation and she let me know that a gaming company in town was looking for a writer. As it turns out they weren’t, and I never got that letter of recommendation, but after a coffee meeting led to a lunch meeting, I was welcomed in as the sixth member of the Munzee team. Five years later and I’m still learning new things about this game and industry every day.

College crafting

What do you enjoy most about Munzee?

My favorite aspect of Munzee is the versatility of gameplay options. Whether you strictly stick to Greenies, or focus on completing your Bouncer collection, Munzee gets players moving in one way or another. As part of the gameplay team we’re always trying to come up with new, exciting, and sometimes weird, aspects we can bring into our game. Location-based games have become much more popular in recent years so we’re constantly learning what works (and what doesn’t) for our worldwide community.

Family Halloween with Wylie and Etta

What are some of your other hobbies?

In what little free time I have I like to watch movies, work on craft projects, read (not nearly as much as I should), and prepare for the family’s annual Christmas card. I think it’s in poor taste to ask what someone’s favorite movie is (how do you pick just one?) but I float between campy horrors, indie rom coms, and comic book movies.

Famous last words?

“There are wood ships, there are steel ships, but the best ships are friendships.” – Ghandi, probably

Check back next week to get to know another member of the team!

Average sleep schedule these days

Team Munzee Tuezday: Rob

Here at Munzee we’re constantly encouraging our players to meet and greet and build the personal relationships that make this game so great. To bring back this fun way to introduce team members, here is the bossman himself, Rob! Of course many players are familiar with this face, but here’s an introduction to Freeze Tag’s President if you are new! Who doesn’t want to know more about coachV? 

Getting lunch with Trey (and the team) between MunzStock 2019 events

Name and Title:

Rob Vardeman, President of Freeze Tag (coachV)

Where are you from?

Born in West Texas (Odessa) but jumped around the state several times and had a 4-year stay in California before finally landing in Allen, Texas. I’ve lived in Allen for 27 years, about 5 miles from our amazing location for Munzee HeadQuarters.

Tell us about yourself:

I’m a nerd. A former math teacher who enjoyed teaching through the use of games. My love of GPS-based adventures led me to Munzee. Munzee opened a world of possibilities to me including meeting the love of my life. I’ve recently become engaged to Louise, our Worldwide Events Manager, with plans to marry in the future. I have a 17 year old son, Trey, who enjoys attending Munzee events with me when possible and sharing his very unique badge with players. In the not too distant future I’ll add 8 and 11 year old stepsons to my family. We all enjoy playing different location-based games and spending time together wherever that may be.

Repping Munzee and WallaBee with Robbie (L) and Matt

How long have your worked for Munzee?

Since June of 2012, when I started as a volunteer working with the player community and some business development. I was the first full time employee in January 2013, then became President in October 2014 when our team had grown to 4 full time team members.

Visiting Australia for Australia Day in 2015

How did you find Munzee?

August 13, 2011, just over a month after Munzee launched I was out playing two other location games. I was headed for a long trail, but stopped at a windmill to find a container. As I approached GZ, I noticed a tag zip tied to the structure flapping in the breeze. Odd but unimportant in my current search. I found the container a few feet away, took care of business, and turned to leave. Then I noticed the tag had a QR code on it and said “Scan for points.” Being a gamer, and having just installed a QR code reader on my phone a few weeks earlier, I scanned it and was taken to the Munzee website. I found out I needed to create an account to play this game, so I did. It was love at first cap. I spent the next 5 hours, and over 100 miles, driving to all the nearby munzees collecting my 5 points. Over the next few weeks I started to interact with “snicker” via email because I was unable to find some of his daughter’s deployments. He basically made fun of me (sarcastically) and said I needed to improve my “geo-senses” if I couldn’t find something hidden by his little daughter. LOL. It kicked my Munzee hunting into high gear when I figured out I was interacting with a co-founder and the president. Eventually capping Munzees in his neighborhood led to meeting him, so I took my shot and told him I would work for Munzee one day. I had a vision for what it could be used for and where it could go! I became addicted to chasing special icons and points. I was a fanatical player and made it all the way to #7 on the global leaderboard before I finally got added to the team. The rest of the story is history.

Supporting Lou and the InternationElles as they biked the entire Tour de France this summer to champion women’s equality in cycling (photo via Mona Pantel)

What do you enjoy most about Munzee?

The Munzee community. Meeting and spending time with new players and friends I’ve known over the years. I also enjoy building special contests for the players and continuing to evolve the game in new ways. Keeping everyone guessing each month with new clan requirements and bouncing specials adds an element of fun to my workload.

What are some of your other hobbies?

I’m into ALL location-based games. Seriously, if a new one comes out I will download it and start playing as soon as I find out. Sometimes for research, other times because I just enjoy getting out and moving and being “rewarded” for it. I’m also a fair weather cyclist. I enjoy riding my bike. I don’t do it to race, only to get from one place to another and get some exercise along the way. I enjoy soccer, specifically English Premier League football. Manchester United is my team and thanks to Louise I’ve been able to visit Old Trafford several times.

Famous last words?

NOPE.

Check back next week to get to know another member of the team!

Crashed the Butte event with Dylan to surprise the Montana Munzers back in 2014. Thanks for all the memories!