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 | Derek Melicher Business Specialist Joined HPT: January 2013
Education: Master of Accountancy from North Dakota State University
About Derek: Derek is involved in the financial side of HPT. Affectionately dubbed the "new guy" when he first started his nickname is slowly evolving to "rain man" due to his quick math skills. Derek has a background in the entertainment industry having worked for Free Poker Network and Jade Presents, a national concert promoter. An avid music lover and aspiring musician, Derek has also played in local bar bands. His favorite bands include: Our Lady Peace, Live, and Weezer, really anything from the 90s.
Poker Highlight: Won a seat into the 2005 WSOP Main Event where I played 14 hours at a table with Phil Ivey. I busted when Ivey trapped with his pocket sevens on a 2, 6, 7, A, J board when I was holding ace-jack. I put him on a smaller two pair and moved all-in. He obviously called and I was busted, a disappointing finish but at least I have an interesting story.
Favorite HPT Moment: When a personal friend of mine, Brook Lyter, made the Final Table of one of the very first HPT episodes.
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 | Aaron Johnson Lead Video Editor
About
Aaron: Aaron left the family farm in rural Minnesota to run
away with our traveling poker circus.
On set, Aaron runs one of sixteen cameras. In the edit bay, he meticulously pieces together footage and
graphics for each one-hour episode of HPT. Following your appearance at our Final Table, Aaron will
likely stare at your face eight hours a day for six weeks until the episodes
are ready to air nationwide. He
has the ability to choose the most-unflattering shots of you, so you will want
to be extra nice to Aaron on set. Follow Aaron on Twitter @HPTAaron |
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 | Chris Raguse Lead Camera Op/Film Editor
Joined HPT: August 2006
About Goose: Goose specializes in shooting, grip work, and editing and has a vast resume of work for national shows such as the Oprah show, TLC's Extreme Couponing, and ABC's Extreme Home Makeover. Film work includes the documentary "Why Tuesday" produced by actress Kristen Dunst and the feature-length "Timber Dead and Down". Goose has covered many live events for companies such as UFC and Microsoft. He's had the pleasure to film interviews with Josh Duhamel, Bristol Palin, and Alf Clausen, to name a few.
Poker Highlight: Capturing interviews with some of the top personalities in poker including Annie Duke, Phil Helmuth, and Gavin Smith.
Favorite HPT Moment: Betting on the outcome of an HPT episode with my friends who didn't know I put the show together. |
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 | Patrick Thompson Film Editor Joined HPT: September 2012
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Film Production from Minnesota State University Moorehead
About Patrick: When not on the road with HPT, Patrick is likely behind a lens of some sort. He spends his time in Fargo, ND shooting short films and photographs.
Poker Highlight: Learning how to play poker
Favorite HPT Moment: My time with the HPT team in Cozumel, Mexico milking a free bar for all they were worth. |
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 | Kevin Bovee Director Joined HPT: July 2007
About Kevin: Based outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, Kevin can be seen covering many of the pro and college sports teams in the Detroit area. Credits include the Superbowl, Nascar, NCAA, NBA, and Stanley Cup Finals.
Poker Highlight: Hitting two straight flushes in the same night playing 3-card poker with Darvin Moon.
Favorite HPT Moment: Getting to meet Phil Hellmuth and Steve Martin at a charity event. |
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 | Dale Baer Transportation/Production |
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 | Zack Howard Camera Op Joined HPT: September 2012
Education: Bachelor of Science in Communication Broadcasting from Pittsburg State University
About Zack: In his work with TV production companies, Zack has worked on shows for MTV, the Travel Channel, and Discovery. As a student, he led a full crew as a sports producer on campus, producing well over 100 events from football to baseball. Now a dedicated member of our road crew, Zack travels to each stop from his home in Kansas.
Poker Highlight: Won an online free-roll tourney once
Favorite HPT Moment: Any time a Poker Joe takes downs a Poker Pro. Gotta love an underdog and it makes for great TV. |
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 | Gina Bushey Administrative Assistant Joined HPT: December 2012
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Interpersonal Communication from North Dakota State University
About Gina: Immersed in the worlds of blackjack and poker, Gina's insight into the gaming industry makes her at home with HPT. Gina's focus in Fargo, ND office is data entry and statistics, but we've found there is nothing she can't do.
Poker Highlight: I had the good fortune to win a seat in an event at the 2008 WSOP. After he rivered me for most of my stack, a German decided to ruin my all-in button-steal by waking up with aces in the big blind. Game over.
Favorite HPT Moment: Flying round-trip on a chartered jet to an HPT event in Las Vegas. Upon our arrival in Las Vegas, the HPT staff was waiting on the tarmac with champagne and tequila shots. |