Maria O'Connell aka bluehairedgoddess makes her home in Phippsburg, Maine. Some of her favorite pastimes include crafts of all kinds, expanding her several collections and of course doll customization. Maria's life-long love of Jem began when the cartoon originally aired. She soon acquired her 1st Edition Jem and Aja dolls. Christmas of that year brought many more Jem surprises, further allowing her to expand her imagination. Due to Jem, Maria also adopted a love of music that would lead to a stint in a local band. Her passion for Jem was reignited in 2001 with the discovery of Jem on the web and eBay where the "frenzy" began. Currently, Maria boasts 60+ dolls including 7 original childhood dolls. Her goal is to own all of the produced fashions and dolls to display them. JemCon has quickly become a second home for Maria. Here she has met many amazing friends. Maria hopes to use her creativity and unique personality to bring added excitement and a fresh perspective to an already rich community.

Sean is from San Jose, CA, makes his home in Phippsburg, ME and is married to our very own bluehairedgoddess and 2013 Con Chair, Maria O. Sean has always loved comic art, cartoons, and toys from the late 70s through mid 80s. He practically grew up backstage as his father was involved in the local Drama/Light Opera group and participated in multiple performances every year. He was even on set during the production of the feature-length film "Kill Squad", that went on to achieve "Cult Classic" status. Sean says, "I remember when Jem first came out and will never forget the cartoon girl group as well as most everything else 80s; the sights, sounds and even the styles. Keep that Jem spirit alive and strong and the world will always be a little bit better place."

Mitzy (aka Ilana aka Minx) resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ilana has been a Jem fan since the show originally aired in the 80s, and enjoyed playing with the dolls in her childhood. Mitzy has made it her goal to collect all of the Integrity dolls, though currently she is still missing Glitter and Gold Rio. A renowned burlesque performer, Mitzy was recently inducted into the Canadian Burlesque Hall of Fame. JEM actually was an inspiration for Ilana to get into Burlesque, as it was the concerts she gave for her grandparents that inspired her to want to perform even more. Ilana is also a fierce cosplayer and can't wait to share her love of dressing up with everybody at JemCon. Since 2008, Mitzy has attended every single JemCon and looks forward to another truly outrageous time in Maine. Mitzy is also a diehard Stingers devotee. She would do anything for Riot, except that.

Ankur Malhotra grew up in Toronto, Canada, watching the show as a small child, but his memories of it were hazy until he re-discovered the show in his early 20s. However, Ankur grew up singing songs such as "Congratulations to Me" and "Alls Right With the World" and it wasn't until he got back into the show that he realized these were JEM songs. Ankur claims that hearing JEM and all of her high notes as a child was a gateway for him to become a lifelong Mariah Carey fan. Though he's never owned a JEM doll, that will soon be rectified with the new release of the Stinger dolls. An avid traveller and photographer, Ankur looks forward to the new locations every year for JemCon. Ankur's favourite part of JemCon is always the masquerade and karaoke, where he gets to sing in costume/character (with his unique twists on cosPlaying), and is looking forward to doing that for the fourth time at JemCon 2013.

Garth Jensen (aka Jumbo Jem) lives near Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This will be Garth's fourth JemCon experience. Garth has been a devoted JEM fan since his childhood. He had an original JEM/Jerrica doll, and has recently begin to collect some of the new dolls from the Integrity line as well. Garth is always keeping himself busy with multiple hobbies and projects, including a love of all things Wonder Woman and Madonna, plus he's a die-hard over-the-air television fan. He's also a renowned remixer, known especially for his Mariah Carey remixes, but over the last few years Garth has put together three JEM remixes along with a STINGERS mix. When in costume, Garth loves to perform as JEM, though his friends will be the first to tell you that he is a Jerrica since he is always wanting to do the right thing, and that makes him a superstar! Check out his websites: tvgarth.blogspot.com and frothypoptreats.blogspot.com

Affectionately known as "Bob" by friends and family, Bob has been a dedicated fan of Jem since the age of 7. She started collecting Jem merchandise seriously in 2002 after the discovery of the internet and the realisation that Jem extended beyond the run of season 1 episodes originaly aired in the UK. As webmaster of: www.jemthingsandstuff.co.uk, Bob enjoys being creative and artistic. She credits Jem with sparking her interest in webdesign, which lead to a career move early in 2008. Bob now works as web technician for a Specialist Technology College, while running Focus on Function Web Design, the JemCon mini-website service, and developing web administration tools, such as Fast Edit and Fast Apps, in her spare time. In 2004 Bob made 10 full-sized Holograms and Misfits costumes for her friends to wear on her birthday "Jem Night." She is looking forward to continuing this creative streak and making more costumes for her twin sister Jacki and herself to wear at JemCon 2013!

Sean Gaff aka svgbaritone, is from MA and works as a Theatrical Musical Director/Pianist. Sean's obsession with Jem began immediately when it aired in 1985. His late mother was very supportive of his new found love and encouraged his creativity. His collection is a living memorial to her and the bond they will forever share through Jem. After attending and sewing fashions for JemCon 2007 he found himself compelled to devote more time to JemCon and the Jem community, where he's made many amazing friends. Without Jem in his life, Sean doesn't believe he would have ever become a creative person nor a musician/performer.

David has lived in the St. Louis area all his life. David first came to know Jem in the summer of 2008 and was hooked after watching all of the DVD episodes. Since then, David has obtained the entire produced doll and fashion line in unopened condition. He didn't play with dolls as a kid, so he has never felt the need to collect any loose or played-with Jems. He first attended JemCon in 2009 and again in 2010. David says, "I feel it is my duty as a fan and collector to keep the Jem spirit alive. I am very passionate about JemCon because it gives me the opportunity to bring so much happiness to others." With this in mind, he is also an avid supporter of the JemCon mini-website service and all the creative possibilities it offers our community. His favorite song from the cartoon is "Top of the Charts".

Mike has been a Jem fan for as long as he can remember. He was drawn to the music and all of the adventures that the Holograms and Misfits went on. Mike began collecting in 2003, when all he wanted was a Stormer to display. That led to the rest of the Misfits, then the Holograms, and his collection grew exponentially. Mike joined the Jemcon website and was inspired to create boxart for characters that weren't produced. He also began to dabble in some OOAK'ing, but his love was always art. Mike was the winning designer for JemCon 2010, Silver 25th Anniversary Fashion Design Contest, chosen by the speaking voice of Jem herself, Samantha Newark. Supporting JemCon with his Battle Of The Bands mini-website, Mike was then approached to join the JemCon staff and is very excited to join us this year. Mike's favorite character is Stormer (although he is a huge Stingers fan) and his favorite episode is "Glitter and Gold."

Travis has been a lifelong Jem fan. He fondly recalls his days of acting out scenes from the show on the playground during kindergarten recess and recording the songs from the TV by holding up a handheld recorder to the speaker of the television. He also remembers seeing girls in his class playing with the dolls and wishing that he too could own one. Unfortunately, his parents never allowed it. The years went by and the Jem series ended but his love of the characters, stories, and music of Jem continued on. He was a natural when it came to drawing and so he spent his teen years creating Jem art and short stories that are today known as "fanfic". He used the money from his first paying job to buy a NRFB Jem/Jerrica doll to complete that old childhood dream. Never really feeling like he fit in with others in the small Missouri town he grew up in, he moved to California where he is now happily married to his husband, Michael.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Luis moved to the United States in 1994 where he now resides in Dekalb, IL. Luis has loved the cartoon since he was a kid, especially the music! Later on, he develop an "addiction" to the toy line, making him an official Jemboy! Luis previously served on the staffs of JemCon 2007 & JemCon 2010 and he is thrilled to be re-joining the staff for JemCon 2013!

Allie hails from Brooklyn, NY. She has always enjoyed Jem, but experienced a true Jem Renaissance when the show began airing on The Hub. Her favorite episode is "Island of Deception." Allie never had Jem dolls as a child, and always favored the cartoon aesthetic of the characters. This led her to get her first Jem doll (Stormer) and begin repainting and sewing cartoon-accurate custom fashions. Allie also enjoys painting and drawing, and loves all the inspiration from creative people in the Jem community. You can see her work at: www.dearstormer.etsy.com and www.dearstormer.tumblr.com. She loves the Misfits best, and Stormer is her true-blue favorite.

Rachel, aka Summer Stormer, lives happily in Indianapolis, IN with her keytar and is not a newcomer to Jem...not by a long shot. As an early 80s child, she grew up watching and singing along with the cartoon. After accidentally stumbling across an episode on the Hub one night after work in 2011, the nostalgia bug and many happy memories were triggered, causing her to dive face-first into the Internet and see if there were others out there like her who remembered and loved the show. Needless to say, she was ecstatic when she found this sanctuary of fellow fans. Rachel's very first JemCon was 2012 and she's both thrilled and honored to be a part of 2013. Her favorite songs include "Universal Appeal", "I Love A Scandal" and "I'm Okay" and favorite episodes are "Island Of Deception", "The Bands Break Up" and "Roxy Rumbles". Music is Rachel's chosen art form and she has played piano off and on since the age of 7. Naturally, her two favorite characters growing up were (and remain to this day) the two keyboard players -- she has an admitted soft spot for fellow keyboardists.

TJ is a fan of all things 80s and has been making art since he was old enough to hold a crayon. He has been a Jem fan since the beginning, when Jem was aired in 10 minute episodes on Super Sundays. The wild colors, mysterious makeup, and rockin' adventure storylines made a vivid impression on him. So much so, that Jem has been influencing his artwork in one way or another ever since. His favorite characters are Stormer and Kimber, the good bad girl and the bad good girl. TJ's favorite episodes are "The Bands Break Up", "In Search of the Stolen Album" and "Adventure In China." Be sure to visit TJ's outrageous website: www.milkymixer.jemcon.org

Ter's first Jem experience was when he was in first grade. His sister rented a Jem VHS from the local Video Watch store and when the first note of the theme song began, he was hooked. Since then it was a snowball effect; Ter began collecting Jem dolls when he was in third grade when he found Jem and Synergy sitting on a shelf at an antique store. Ter begged to take them home. His parents bought them for him, as they always supported his hobbies interests without question. Ter first got into OOAKing when he was 17 with his first OOAK (One Of A Kind) being a "Rock N' Romance" Jem re-paint. Ter's boyfriend, Ryan, has always supported him with his hobby and Ryan helps Ter OOAK frequently (though he’s not a hardcore Jem fan as Ter). Ter focuses mainly on re-rooting and re-painting, though he's currently trying his hand at sewing fashions. Ter says "sewing is a lot harder than it seems!"

Jamie, also know as "Fairy Dust", is from Bloomington, Illinois. She has been a fan of Jem since she was four years old. Jem has inspired Jamie a great deal and she was ecstatic when she found out about JemCon '06 in Orlando. She has been to as many JemCons as possible since then and has even made her own costumes for masquerade. Jamie holds Liz (elaineofspain) responsible for the awesome rainbow assortment of shoes that she has collected since Liz introduced her to "shoe-geeking." Jamie's favorite characters are Jem, Jerrica and Aja. Her favorite episodes are "In Stiches", "Hot Time in Hawaii", and "Glitter 'n Gold". Jamie also enjoys "rescuing" re-rooting and re-painting Jem dolls. Jamie loves everything Jem!

Shevona is from MI and is a new full-time mom and part-time Real Estate Agent. She has loved Jem since she was a little girl. This passion for Jem has led her to collect the entire produced line and over 50 custom fashions and dolls. She was honored to be featured in the Jem Fan section of the new DVD release. Shevona's favorite episode is "Mid Summer's Night Madness" and her favorite character is Jerrica. She loves to make OOAK Jem dolls, fashions and accessories. For more info on Shevona's work, check out her website: www.beyondjem.com

Stefan is currently living in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Stefan became a Jem fan when the series was re-run in 1988 in the Netherlands. Stefan and his cousin Rob taped every show aired and watched them over and over again. By the end of 1989 the dolls were all priced-down so Stefan and Rob tried to find as many as possible, until they had disappeared from the shelves. In 2004 Stefan began collecting again and in 2007 he attended his first JemCon! For Stefan and Rob, JemCon has been THE BEST experience! They've met many fellow fans from all over the world and become part of a very warm family! Stefan's personal JemCon highlight, by far, was meeting Christy Marx! Hosting JemCon 2011 "Makin' it Happen in Holland" was a new highlight for Stefan being part of the Jem community!