Natalie Armstrong has joined the Axanar team as Director of Fulfillment, working with Diana Kingsbury, who remains in charge of donor relations.  Since moving to Atlanta, we really need someone who can work with Diana, fulfilling everything that is owed from the Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns.  Since the perks we do have are now in Atlanta, and everything new we produce will be housed and shipped from OWC Studios here, it makes sense to have someone local who can drive this process and organize volunteers to help.  Natalie has a lot of experience in this area and we are excited to have her on board.  Plus she is a crazy Star Trek fan and amazing cosplayer!

We asked Natalie a few questions... 1)    When did you become a Star Trek fan? I began watching TOS reruns as a child around 5 or 6.  It was exciting to come home from school and turn on the TV to be transported to another world in space.  Once TNG hit, I was already hooked!  As a matter of fact, my first cosplay was a TNG Command uniform.  I was around 13 years old. 2)    What is your favorite Star Trek show? I was raised on TNG so there is a forever a place in my heart for it but...my favorite is DS9 hands down.  I got to know the characters and had an emotional connection to them and their welfare. 3)    How did you become aware of Axanar? Just a couple of years ago.  I didn't really know how big of a thing Fan Films really were.  I attended Treklanta in Atlanta where they have Fan Fic awards and got to view all the great things people are making.  When I was Prelude, I was blown away! 4)    What made you want to volunteer for such an enormous job as fulfilling all the perks?  After seeing the love that was put into Axanar, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.  I wanted to work with people like Alec who have the same passion for Trek that I do.  Alec had told me that it was time to start fulfilling all of the perks for the supporters of Axanar.  Since fulfillment is part of my grown up job, I know the process inside and out!  It's a perfect place for me to work with Axanar. 5)    What do you do in real life? I am the business manager for a Sci-fi/Geek/Comic e-commerce store called Starbase Atlanta.  My daily job runs the gamut from Accounting and Statistics to HR and Customer Service.  We are a small company so, I have to wear many hats!  I get to assist in the buying process, handle all fulfillment, be the business accountant, the product photographer, just to name a few.  I stay busy but, I love it.  There's also the perks....I get all my Pops, Star Trek, and Harry Potter stuff at cost! 6)    So it sounds like your skill set is ideal for the Director of Fulfillment role. Are you excited to bring that to Axanar? I'm terribly excited to bring my skills to Axanar.  I love setting up systems and building spreadsheets!  I can be very analytical but, I am super creative.  My hopes is this will secure me a very active role in other parts of the production as well. Natalie with JG Hertzler (right), at the Miss. Klingon Empire Pageant 7)    You are well known for your Klingon cosplay.  How did you get into that?

I volunteered for the 50th Anniversary Creation Star Trek Convention in Atlanta a couple of years ago.  There was a make up artist there named, John Paladin.  Being a make up artist myself, I hung out with him a lot and learned about applying prosthetics.  He's actually the reason I went Klingon.  Well, that and I think that Klingon Women are the sexiest women in Trek.  John gave me the knowledge and confidence that I needed.  I would not have even tried to apply ridges without his teaching.

8)    How did you decide to enter the Miss Klingon contest?

At the same convention I met John at, I ran across a flyer advertising for the Miss Klingon Empire pageant.  Having just has the confidence boost, I was all in.  It only took once to fall in love with T'Aror.  The minute my ridges go on, I become her.  It is so liberating to be so bold and brash!  I go stomping around conventions trying to start fights with Romulans and yelling at the vendor that has the booth full of Tribbles.  The other con goers really seem to enjoy it.

Natalie is an avid Dragon Con attendee 9)    What other Science Fiction shows do you watch?

Currently, I am re-watching Babylon 5.  Such a good show, it is high up on my favorite list.  I'm planning a Delenn costume right now.  All of Stargate is on that list too.  Also, The Orville is so much fun, it almost feels like my Trek home.  I also watch Firefly, Doctor Who, The Expanse, etc.    I DO NOT WATCH Star Trek Discovery.  Sorry, just had to get that out.

10)    Anything else you want to say to the Axanar faithful?

I'm thrilled to get to join the Axanar family and am looking forward to meeting more of you!

So stay tuned to the fulfillment blog for more info as we start to send out perks and such.  We think you will all be pleased with the plan!

Alec