Episode Author - Staff

Scott Ertz

Current Episode Author

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Adam Ertz

Current Episode Author

Adam joined PLUGHITZ Corporation since shortly after its inception and stayed for many years. His work on the DDRLover and CounterQuest teams has been mostly providing valuable insight into the gaming community's thoughts and direction. Adam is most known for his time on the Professional Counter-Strike Scene with teams like, Echo 7, Pandemic, Team x3, and PerdoX. He was also a well known World Of Warcraft PvP Icon and Raider, and a founding member of the well known guild All That Remains.

Allante Sparks

Current Episode Author

Allante - also well known as Wolff - is the newest member and co-host for PLuGHiTz Live! Radio. A gifted artist, he is usually found drawing up a character or two or sketching up whatever comes to mind. Do not think that he is not a hardcore gamer because he is about as hardcore as it gets! His favorites range from fighting games to RPGs, adventure and even a racing game here and there. Fighting games are his forte and he relays this message for all who oppose: You mess with the Wolff and you get the fangs! Xbox Live - Enigmatic Wolff PSN - Tsukuyomi_Okami

Nakia Mann

Current Episode Author

Daniele Mendez

Current Episode Author

Daniele is a software engineer at Lockheed Martin after graduating from Florida Polytechnic University. In High School, she was introduced to the science and technology world through the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), a robotics foundation where students of varying ages can compete through tasks that their robots perform. With help from mentors she met through FIRST, she became interested in programming and developing. Today, Daniele is a special events host for F5 Live: Refreshing Technology and PLUGHITZ Live Presents and a co-host for both The New Product Launchpad and FIRST Looks.

Michele Mendez

Current Episode Author

Although Michele has worked in the banking industry full time for many years, she originally went to school with a concentration in communications, advertising and marketing. She began her career in sales and retail management, selling electronics and computers. Her love of all things tech eventually brought her back into the electronics arena three years ago when she started with PLuGHiTz Corporation to help with special events as a Production Assistant. Soon she began to dabble with the audio and video and is loving her role as Producer. She's also one of our content writers and assists with product reviews. Looking forward, she is excited to expand her skill set into editing and helping the company continue to grow.

Marissa Schiereck

Current Episode Author

Nancy Ertz

Current Episode Author

Nancy's background is in cosmetology, but has always had an interest in stage and production. She spent many years on-stage and behind the scenes in local theater, doing makeup, crafting beards, and helping with costuming. Today, she continues that passion as an associate producer and episode author for PLUGHITZ Live events, such as CES and Collision.

Dave Mendez

Current Episode Author

Dave is a car guy by nature. He has worked for many years in car parts sales, as well as a mechanic. His interest in technology grew out of that love for cars, bringing him into the PLUGHITZ Live team. He helps direct the team's attention towards interesting automotive technology, including electric cars, audio products, and more. He serves as an associate producer during events, such as CES.

Terri Willingham

Current Episode Author

Terri has a background in writing, having written several books, as well as working for the St. Petersburg Times (now the Tampa Bay Times). She brings all of that knowledge to the PLUGHITZ Live team, helping to improve the writing for our reviews, episodes, and more. She also serves as an associate producer for PLUGHITZ Live Presents, helping to manage the guests and keep the broadcast on schedule.

Christopher Jordan

Current Episode Author

Chris's background is in live event production, focusing on the technical aspect. This brought Chris into the podcasting space with his Talking Sound Podcast. He's been involved with the Tech Podcast Network's CES broadcast since 2020, serving as both a host and producer. He is also the host of a non-production related show called Curious Realm when he and his guests dive into some of the stranger and unexplainable aspects of the universe.

Christopher Hernandez

Current Episode Author

He graduated from from Iowa State University with a Bachelors of Science in industrial engineering and is currently a PhD student at the University of Central Florida while interning with Lockheed Martin MFC in Orlando, FL. He has worked on projects that have included the ergonomic design of power tools, human factors research, and investigating the prevalence effects in transportation. He enjoys long walks on the beach and the search for alligators in the wild.

Kirk Corless

Current Episode Author

Kirk has long had an interest in production, and began his journey by joiining Geek News Central as Todd Cochrane's Executive Producer. That brought him into the Tech Podcasts Network CES coverage in 2018. He has become the team's regular technical director and associate producer since 2019. He has since launched his own show with PLUGHITZ Live Editor-in-Chief Scott Ertz, called GNC Week in Review. This is a weekly quick-fire topical show covering the biggest tech stories of the week in a comedic atmosphere.

Christian Hernandez

Current Episode Author

Christian Hernandez graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Software Engineering. He has had experience working on firmware for SSDs for Intel. Soon, he will be an Associate Software Engineer for Lockheed Martin. Christian enjoys running, the gym, and spending time with his family during his free time.