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Brainstormer Crew

	Liam McAtasney is business owner, Quizmaster, and the guy who replaces the water cooler bottles at Brainstormer.com H.Q. He has been at the forefront of the pub trivia business since 1996, when most people in the U.S. did not know what a Pub Quiz was. Prior to that he worked stints that included a newspaper delivery round and removing scratches from old 33 vinyl records. During university days in Belfast (just a few years ago!), Liam and his roommates would venture out to the pub on damp Monday evenings to give it their best at the Four in Hand, occasionally winning a prize and the bragging rights. Liam is actively involved in the day to day business of Brainstormer and Quiz Dates!, although he yearns for a sandy beach, blue seas and a cold drink in his hand. Bar Owners, Event Planners and would-be Quiz Hosts can get in touch with Liam to host a Pub Quiz or Corporate Trivia Party with a difference. Click here for contact details. Brainstormer’s motto: ‘Educating America, one venue at a time!’

	Rarely is there a night that Mark Walshe is not in a bar (pitching trivia questions). Originally from Harlow, Essex, Mark lived in North East London in his early twenties. His interest in broadcasting originated in his rock and roll bands ‘Some Other Day’ and ‘The Tender Trap’. Mark has worked as a DJ and booker for Nickie’s nightclub in SF's Lower Haight, and as full time DJ/Emcee at SF’s Virgin Megastore, where he turned the downtown shoppers onto music and interviewed Nelly Furtado, Blondie, De La Soul and David Byrne. Mark much prefers people mistaking him for Jimmy Page than Simon Cowell, which is the main reason that he hasn't had a haircut in some time! Mark writes and performs his own songs which he dearly hopes won’t remind you of Donovan! Stop by and say hello to Mark at the following San Francisco venues: Martin Mack's, O'Neill's Irish Pub (San Mateo), Elephant & Castle.

	Rick Tosh has always had a passion for music. In the early 90’s, Rick landed a job at WKSS-FM in Hartford for ‘Savage in the Morning’. He has also worked as producer for the ‘Sebastian in the Morning’ on WCCC-FM in Hartford, as a Production Assistant on the ‘Chevy Chase Show’, and for movie Director Peter Bogdanovich on ‘This Thing Called Love’. Rick lives and works in sunny Sausalito in the hospitality industry. He owns a party DJ company, is a regular host on The Shopping Channel, does voice over, print and TV commercial work. Rick is also an ordained minister AND can DJ your wedding. Mention 'Brainstormer' for a special rate! That’s his life in a nutshell, so far. More info. at www.ricksgotmusic.com Buy Rick a light beer at Monaghan's, Finnegan's (Novato), Maguire's Pub (Petaluma), Rogue Alehouse.

	Born at an early age, Chris Turner knew his calling was to be something cool like an astronaut or a sports team mascot. After a series of setbacks on SATs, vision exams and a questionable score on something called a ‘behavioral aptitude evaluation,’ Chris decided to enter the Pub Quiz arena. In his life beyond the emcee microphone, Chris works in the television industry and hosted an outdoor adventure travel show before the network thought better of it and moved him to the side of the camera that doesn't have a lens. Chris currently produces a PBS documentary series in San Francisco and lives in the beautiful foothills of Oakland. You can observe Chris in his natural habitat (just don't tap on the glass!): Mondays at Henry's in Berkeley, and Thursdays at O'Neill's Irish Pub (SF).

	Meet DJ Appropriate, aka Tony Brooke. Tony has brought his unique twist as both MC and DJ to many Brainstormer quizzes since 2004. He's also available as DJ/MC for film soundtrack supervision, themed events, yacht launches, mud wrestling matches and divorce parties. Examples of his musical malpractice are at djappropriate.com. Tony rocks the mic and provides the soundtrack for your mental workout every Wednesday at Danny Coyle's in the Lower Haight.

	Though Pub Quiz hosting is fairly new to him, Stephen Emerick has been talking non-stop since birth and found his niche in life providing training for Bay Area Biotech Companies that pay him to talk. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Stephen and his family were asked to leave the city, permanently, after several mysterious fires! Most of his life he has lived in Napa, though don’t ask him about wines as can’t tell his Pinots from his Merlots! Stephen enjoys fishing, football, golf and flirting (is that a sport?). So stop by Dubliner on West Portal any Wednesday night and meet the local wildlife!

	Who is Michael Rankins? Michael spent his formative years living in such exotic locales as Hawaii, Greece, and the Philippines. In these faraway paradises, he prepared for his future career as a trivia maven by watching thousands of old movies on television while simultaneously devouring encyclopedias and almanacs. Proving that wasted youth occasionally pays off, Michael ranks today as one of the top 100 money-winners in the history of 'JEOPARDY!' His favorite categories: 'U.S. Presidents,' 'Baseball,' and 'Tough TV Trivia.' His least-favorite category: 'Things Michael Doesn’t Know.' When he’s not expanding his boundless storehouse of useless information, Michael writes advertising copy, and records everything from commercials to video games as a voice actor.

	When Bob Deeken lived in San Francisco, he played and hosted Brainstormer quizzes for years. (He has dozens of t-shirts and other quiz prizes to prove it!) So, when Bob relocated to Seattle in search of more rain, it was only natural that he would help Brainstormer expand into that market. Bob also met Brainstormer's tough job requirements. Namely, he had a PA system, a working car, and likes to hang out at bars! Bob's day job is making radio commercials for ESPN affiliate 1380 KRKO in Everett. He has also worked as a DJ at Seattle's 103.7 The Mountain. 15-year-old gamers might recognize him as the voice from the Bungie Podcast. You can find Bob Mondays at Elephant & Castle and Wednesdays at Pyramid Alehouse.

	Jessica recently relocated to the Bay Area from the Central Coast where she was captain of a reigning trivia team. She watches 'JEOPARDY!' religiously and hopes to be on it one day. Jessica challenges you to stop by and test your mental mettle Mondays at Blackthorn Tavern, Tuesdays at Norton's Vault, and Wednesdays at Temple Bar in San Francisco. If music is your thing, Jess also hosts a 'Mostly Rock 'N' Roll' quiz at Nickies Bar on Haight Street once a month.

	Ashley Ashley is originally from the East Bay San Francisco and returned to her roots after living in Santa Barbara and graduating from UCSB. She enjoys daytime TV game shows and prefers a mustached Alex Trebek over the clean shaven version. Ashley's induction to the pub quiz phenomenon came while studying abroad when a friend brought her along to a weekly event in Madrid. Upon winning her inaugural quiz, she was hooked and became a regular. Having competed on teams such as ‘Fist Pump’, ‘Pants on the Ground’, ‘Charlie the Unicorn’, and others, she now shares her esoteric and useless knowledge with the public through hosting for Brainstormer! Ashley hosts a regular gig at Blarney Stone on Mondays, and is available for a Spanish version of the Pub Quiz when needed. Olé!

	Ashlee is the awesome assistant every Thursday at Elephant & Castle in San Francisco's Financial District. Stop by with your team any week and pick up a play card and a pencil and enjoy the Quiz.

	Kira's many interests include traveling all over Europe, trying new stuff in San Francisco, over sized accessories, skiing, and MARCH MADNESS! She also keeps the scores and judges the spontaneous 'dance-offs' that break out during Thursday Pub Quiz at Rogue Alehouse in San Francisco.