I met Bert for the first time in Kansas City while I was in town for the Advanced Squad Leader March Madness tournament. We ended up at a local gaming café and sat down to play Thunder at Dawn. From the first turn, the conversation just flowed, it felt less like meeting someone new and more like catching up with an old friend over a shared love of pushing cardboard.

That experience stuck with me. It got me thinking… there are a lot of great people in this hobby, each with their own story, their own path into wargaming, and their own way of enjoying it.

And that’s what sparked this idea, why not introduce some of these everyday wargamers to the Cardboard Commander community?

1. Tell us a little about yourself

64, born in Kansas City, MO. Grew up in Grandview, MO a S KC metro suburb. Semi-retired Roofing/Remodeling contractor. Have lived in Midland/Odessa, Austin, and Garland TX, Lenexa, KS, and Redmond, OR. Now resides in Lee’s Summit, MO.

2- How long have you been playing wargames?

Started wargaming in the middle 1970’s, cut my teeth on MIDWAY, moving on to GETTYSBURG, then PANZERBLITZ. We had Hobby Lane in Ward Parkway Mall back in the old days that had tons of wargames, where I discovered SPI. Went on to playing FAST CARRIERS, WOLFPACK, AUSTERLITZ early on, then in high school became immersed in the monster wargame craze. We played WACHT AM RHEIN immensely, and during that time I was also playing ALNAVCO’s SEAPOWER, fondly remembering recreating Leyte Gulf in the basement of my parents home in massive battles.

3- What is your favorite type of wargame? Hex & Counter, Card or chit driven, Area / Impluse games or Other

Historically I have always been a hex and counter guy. Lately have been actively playing Blind Swords style chit-driven titles and some COIN games.

4- What is your go to game to play?

 If I had to pick one above all others I am going to choose FLATTOP by AH. 

5- Who is your favorite game Company

MMP is now my current favorite overall company, with Line of Battle and BCS series of current interest. The fact ASLSK is by them helps the decision.

6- Who is your Favorite designer

All time? Going to go w a tie between Joe Balkoski and Craig Taylor. Now? Mark Herman, Dean Essig/Carl Fung, and Hermann Luttmann.

7- What are you currently playing?

Currently have Rise of the Roman Republic out, eagerly awaiting my copy of THUNDERBOLT, 2nd edition of this Berg title. Kudos to Mark Herman for getting involved to push that title to completion.

8- What game are you looking forward to that is coming out in 2026

THUNDERBOLT! My first dive into Ancients warfare at this scope and level.

9- What are you digging into at this time

Digging into research on the first day’s actions at Gettysburg, prior to getting Blind Swords – GETTYSBURG: The First Day clipped and on the table.

10- Any last comments?

Working on organizing the cadre of old school wargamers in KC and holding sessions at my sub-divisions activity center at least twice a year, reintroducing war boardgame convention style activities to Kansas City after its demise a few years ago.

Wargaming is alive and well, in large part due to you Jerry and others like you, connecting us wargamers across wider expanses than the old days. KUDOS to you, when I first ran into your very early podcasts I was amazed the interest still existed. Indeed, a second heyday in board wargaming. Thanks for the opportunity to let the hobby know a bit about me and the hobby.

I want to give a big thank you to Bert for taking the time to sit down and share his story. It was a pleasure getting to know him, both across the table and through this interview. Moments like that are what make this hobby so special it’s not just the games, it’s the people you meet along the way.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Hey, I’d love to be part of this,” I’d love to hear from you. This is all about highlighting the everyday wargamer and building connections within the community.

👉 Shoot me your email, and let’s make it happen. You might be the next featured wargamer on Cardboard Commander.