Orbanes, Philip E. 1947-

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ORBANES, Philip E. 1947-

PERSONAL: Born June 1, 1947, in Somers Point, NJ; son of Philip (a mechanical and electronic technician) and Antta (a bookkeeper; maiden name, Gihorski) Orbanes; married May 31, 1969; wifes name, Anna Rozsa (a registered nurse); children: Philip C., Julian E. Education: Case Institute of Technology (now Case Western Reserve University), B.S. Hobbies and other interests: Inventing games, musical composition.

ADDRESSES: Home—56 Bartletts Reach, Amesbury, MA 01913. Offıce—Winning Moves, Inc., 100 Conifer Hill, Suite 102, Danvers, MA 01923. E-mail— [email protected].

CAREER: Parker Brothers, Salem, MA, senior vice president of research and development, 1979-90; Pop! Inc., Topsfield, MA, president, 1990—; Winning Moves, Inc., Danvers, MA, president, 1995—; vice chair, 1997—. Peabody Essex Museum, member.

MEMBER: National Railroad Historical Society, Phi Kappa Tau.

WRITINGS:

The Monopoly Companion, by Rich Uncle Pennybags, as Told to Philip Orbanes, B. Adams (Boston, MA), 1988, 2nd edition published as The Monopoly Companion: The Players Guide; The Game from A to Z, Winning Tips, Trivia, by Mr. Monopoly as Told to Philip Orbanes, Adams Media (Holbrook, MA), 1999.

Rook in a Book, Winning Moves Press (Danvers, MA), 1998.

The Game Makers: The Story of Parker Brothers from Tiddledy Winks to Trivial Pursuit, Harvard Business School Publishing (Boston, MA), 2004.

SIDELIGHTS: Philip E. Orbanes told CA: "My primary motivation is to set forth my love and knowledge of the games industry, 'Monopoly' in particular, and make this accessible via my books—be they nonfiction or historical fiction.

"I've always had a desire to share what I learn. My career has required a balance between creating and business management. From the latter, I've learned the value of clarity and precision. When I write, my goal is to provide knowledge enjoyably and clearly.

"Discovery of fascinating facts or powerful concepts influences my work. I write like a sculptor works: rapidly finishing a rough 'whole,' then taking time to perfect and tune every word. My most pleasant surprise is the connection readers have to my works, and the good memories my writing had triggered.

"The Game Makers: The Story of Parker Brothers from Tiddledy Winks to Trivial Pursuit is my favorite work to date because it spans more than 100 years of American history and connects the principles of success at playing games to success in real life.

"I hope my books will help people see the connection between the forces of history that have influenced how we live, and play to win."