LONG BEACH — On November 30, the Board of Directors for Hero Spark, an Orlando-based non-profit dedicated to promoting social, game-based programming, unanimously approved the addition of Gridopolis creator Dave Schultze to the organizational body. It is the first Board position for Schultze, who teaches 3D Visualization at OTIS College of Art & Design and is a LinkedIn Learning author.

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“Gridopolis is the culmination of my lifelong love of games and education,” Schultze said. “So when I connected with Hero Spark and learned about our shared mission to blend gaming with educational and social skills, I knew it would be a great fit. I look forward to bringing my experience to the organization and working with esteemed members of the Board to advance game-based programming and learning.”

Hero Spark, which provides both in-person and virtual programming to hundreds of children across the country, is led by Executive Director Phil Zoshak.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dave to the Board, and greatly anticipate his contributions as an expert game designer and longtime educator,” Zoshak said. “His experience working with students of all ages and passion for empowering others through games makes him an excellent addition to our burgeoning nerd nonprofit.”

The Hero Spark Board of Directors is led by Chair Andi Perez, who serves as Senior Community & Marketing Director at Yelp in the Orlando area.

‍Gridopolis Games is an innovative game-design laboratory and educational-based game company founded by Dave Schultze. Schultze has a degree in Architecture, an Architect’s License, and a Masters of Industrial Design from the prestigious ArtCenter College of Art + Design in Pasadena, CA. Dave maintains his commitment to education by being a LinkedIn Learning / Lynda.com author and by teaching a weekly class in 3D Visualization at OTIS College of Art + Design in Los Angeles, CA.