About Us

Paul McKinney
Organizer

I got started in the 70’s. I used to save my lawn mowing money and ride my bike (candy apple green with banana seat and sissy bar) to the local 7-Eleven to play Joker Poker. At the time you had to be 18, but the counter clerk let us play anyway. My favorites are almost anything that needs saving, love great art-Pins and Neon. I have owned from a 1932 World Series through some new Sterns, but I think my current favorites are Scooby Doo, Farfalla, MB, CFTBL, Octoberfest, great colors and play.

Robert Harris
Organizer

I attended my first TPF in 2003 where I decided to purchase my first pin, a Doctor Who. I started helping out running the tournaments in 2009 and continued until 2015. Beginning with the 2015 show I started helping Kim with the show. I did backend IT work as well as the creation of a check in tool for machines as they arrive at the back door, and Guests and Vendors at the Registration desk. When Kim retired after the 2023 show, I was given the opportunity to become an organizer which I happily accepted.

I currently have 7 pinball machines, a Rockola Jukebox, and created a MAME cabinet from an old Mortal Kombat 2.


Our Right Hands

Elizabeth Dronet
Tournaments

Elizabeth serves as the director of Belles and Chimes Houston and as the state coordinator for women's IFPA events in Texas. When she's not playing in tournaments, Elizabeth is busy repairing and restoring machines with her husband as the owners of UpKick Pinball. 

Upkick Pinball
Jaelanne and Trey Gilliam
Registration and Show Floor

We first went to the Texas Pinball Festival as a birthday gift to Trey from me and our kids back in 2011 and we haven't missed a show since. When the kids got older we all went as a family and I found it more fun to help out at the event than to play the games so we started volunteering in 2015. I don't remember what year we started working the events, but since then it has been our family vacation every year.

Kris Klinge
Registration

Kris is a seasoned TPF Volunteer, member of the DFW Pinball and Arcade Club, and Frisco local.  

-- Currently ranked #1 at not getting wristband glue in your arm hair. 

Pam Heffern
Seminars

My favorite game is Bram Stoker's Dracula because it is so challenging. I also feel I have become an honorary Texan because of TPF. What else do I say? I love to travel and experience different cultures. I also married into the hobby. Scott lured me in with his funhouse. =)

Dick Curtis
Tournaments

Dick discovered competitive pinball at the Game of Thrones launch party in 2016 and has enjoyed running events ever since. His dog Lawlor keeps him busy when he's not playing pinball.


Best In Show Judges

Rich Wiski

Started buying and restoring pinball machines in the 90s. First game was a Silverball Mania. As a Graphic Designer by trade I always looked for ways to use technology to enhance my restorations, such as using digital art to create stickers, stencils and plastics. This was a fairly new concept in the 90s as new parts were still available.

My favorite restoration was a Capcom Pinball Magic where I replaced everything and hand painted the entire cabinet. Many playfield swaps later I still love the satisfaction of making a beat down game look as good as new.

Scott Martin

Bought my first game when I was 16. Current collection consists of restored classic Bally and Sterns, WPC and newer Sterns. Have worked and restored many games for myself, with friends and customers. Engineering background which makes attention to detail important. I like barn find restorations. 

Keith Holbrook

Worked and played in the pursuit of Pinball since 2002.

As an Owner of Total Pinball Restorations, have completed 100+show-quality restorations of everything Arcade and innumerable repairs and refurbishments.

Gravitates toward and collects the early year solid-state machines. In a love affair with good fried Catfish.

Total Pinball Restorations
Bill Morrison

Pinball started my engineering career working for a Large pinball/game room company during my early years. Started collecting literature and manuals in my teenage years.  Realized in late 90’s “Containers” were a “thang”. Purchased multiple containers from Europe through early 2000’s. Have been buying and selling ever since.

Favorite games are definitely minty – non restored Classic Stern’s ; Survivors from the early 80’s.  I love to see rare, collectable games that have not been poorly restored and enjoy original restorations where NO re-mfg. parts have been used.  Keep it original “folks”!!


Past Organizers

This show wouldn’t be what it is without the vision and dedication shown by its past organizers: Jeff Ball, Dan Ferguson, Chris Munson, Grieg Riddle, Tillman Strahan, Bob Herbison, Mike Johnstone, Shannon Smith, Eric Debrecht, Craig Hassell, Ken Kemp, and Kim and Ed VanderVeen.