People on the Move – Marshal of the Society (Society Marshal)
The Board of Directors is pleased to appoint Dr. Melissa Midzor (Maestra Arabella da Siena, OP) as the incoming Marshal of the Society.
Maestra Arabella da Siena has been an active member of the SCA marshallate for over 34 years, leading and coordinating martial activities at Society, Kingdom, and local levels and multiple interkingdom events. Since joining the SCA in 1987, she has authorized and fought in Armored Combat, Rapier, Equestrian, Combat and Target Archery, Thrown Weapons, and recently acquired two siege engines. She is the former Society Equestrian Officer and Kingdom Earl Marshal of Caid, and has also served as seneschal, exchequer, and herald, enjoying all aspects of the SCA. Arabella currently resides in the Outlands, has lived in Caid, Atlantia, and the Midrealm, and traveled extensively over the years to participate in 14 kingdoms and every Interkingdom war. She is a member of the Order of the Pelican (OP), Order of the Golden Lance (OGL), and Defender of the White Scarf (DWS).
Dr. Melissa Midzor is the Program Manager for the National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network (NASCTN), an organization of 6 Federal agencies that improves wireless communication and spectrum sharing between Government and Commercial systems. She is also the Division Chief of Spectrum Technology and Research at NIST, developing innovative measurement methods and tools for wireless communications, greenhouse gas monitoring, and quantum networks. Dr. Midzor is the former Director of the EW Integrated Laboratories for the DoD, supporting Electronic Warfare across the joint services and the Pentagon. She earned her PhD at Caltech in Physics (nanotechnology), and also a BA in Sociology. She lives in Colorado with her partner Steve, 2 kids, 3 horses, dog, cat, fish, and a (recently added) bearded dragon.
The Marshal of the Society’s area of authority is all martial and related activities practiced in the Society, both those described by the handbooks approved for the office and proposed as additions to those handbooks (experimental activities). The Marshal will work to encourage the participation of all in the Society’s martial activities, and strive to expand and improve those activities for the benefit of the Society and its members. Dr. Midzor commences in the role on 1 September 2023 and the appointment term is for 3 years.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
P.O. Box 611928
San Jose, CA. 95161
You may also email:
SCA-comments@sca.org.