Article: New Director of Web Operations: Spider Interview!
Article
On July 10th, KSI Uppish 7, Senior Director of Web Operations, announced that KSI Spider 7 would be promoted to Director of Web Operations, saying:
“Good morning KSI Member!!
Please join me in congratulating KSI Spider 7 on becoming the newest Director of Web Operations! In his new role, Spider will assist in the oversight over Events, Archives, & IGY6! Spider's wealth of knowledge and extensive KSI experience will be a fantastic asset as a Director. Congrats Spider!”
KSI Spider 7 is a Hall of Famer, having joined originally back in January 2006. However, he has only returned active since May 2024. So it’s reasonable to ask, ‘Who is this guy?!’
So, to answer that question, I sat down with Spider so you can get to know him better!
KSI New Blue 7: Firstly, congratulations on your promotion to Director of Web Operations, Spider! What areas will you be looking over as Director?
KSI Spider 7: Thank you very much! I am being assigned Events, Archives, and IGY6.
KSI New Blue 7: What qualifications do you have for a Director slot in Web Operations?
KSI Spider 7: I spent the majority of my first tenure in KSI (2006-2011) involved in web ops. I started out as a section moderator on the Forums in 2006 over the Firestorm section and an admin on KSIFS.com. As I climbed in clan ops rank up to Senior Clan Director, I also became a Moderator over all of the forums, then Global Mod. JT entrusted me as an admin on KSIGlobal.com as well as all divisional e107 sites. This tied me into working with all of the departments and events we had at the time and led to promotions to Senior Administrator, Co-Creator, and Chief Information Officer/Web Admin Team Lead spots on the Board of Directors. I was a Forum Administrator in 2010-2011.
I apply a lot of the same skillsets I used then, now to help the multiple departments I’m involved in grow and to help team members in need reach their full potential. But I do not fall back on how things were in the past. This is a different era of KSI that requires adaptable skill sets and mentality. It requires an openness to try new ideas and continue to provide for the members.
KSI New Blue 7: It's amazing that you've been around for so long! What are the key differences you see from the 2006-2011 era to now?
KSI Spider 7: The culture is still the same. The way we have fun gaming and joking around in VCs now is very much similar to how we hung out in 16 person Xbox Live parties on Halo 2 or Halo 3. But there is more organization and structure in today’s KSI and a separation of responsibilities. Discord is a wonderful tool for growing a community compared to having to split up our efforts between forum activity and XBL lobbies. This would have been a game changer for me if it existed back then.
KSI New Blue 7: What advice would you give to future leaders of KSI who aspire to make a lasting impact, as you have throughout your tenure?
KSI Spider 7: Set high standards for yourself here. Not like goals for rank. But goals for conduct, learn the ability to mentor, and to exceed expectations at your current rank. Make it a point to serve your members below and above you.
Enjoy the ride. KSI is not a race to the top. The experiences gained by laughing with folks in VCs or helping other members through struggles or to learn are more valuable than any title here.
Learn to treat title and rank as a tool to accomplish the necessary goals of each position. Rank doesn’t determine that you actually can tell someone what to do, and they absolutely must listen. Most folks are wise enough to know that if they transfer/leave that they are free from you. We’re all equals and put our clothes on the same way. But rank is your tool to help the community grow and to help guide others. Yes, occasionally or often rank is needed for disciplinary actions but those actions are based upon serving the rules, code of conduct, and protecting our members and guests so they can have a relaxed and fun experience in KSI. Lastly, live and breathe the KSI Discord Server Rules and the Code of Conduct. It really is a guide to being a great person and making those around you feel safe, relaxed, and welcomed.
KSI New Blue 7: Thank you for your time, Spider. Do you have any final thoughts you'd like to share with the community?
KSI Spider 7: Thank you for having me. For members, aspiring leaders, and the leaders of this generation, take your time here and enjoy yourselves. Enjoy all of the stages of your growth here. Enjoy your fun times laughing in VCs and making fun with each other. These are the things that matter most. KSI is a journey and there’s no need to rush it. It has provided memories and knowledge for over 20 years for thousands upon thousands of members. Cheers to the next 20 years!
Additional Info
Written by: KSI New Blue 7
Publish Date: August 3rd, 2025 10:09 AM
Featured People: KSI Uppish 7, KSI Spider 7, KSI New Blue 7
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