Van is a former liaison for Defense Logistics Agency, Pacific (Korea) and graduate of U.S.M.C. Command and Staff College.

He is a  designer of historical and futuristic miniature games. Van is the co-author of a module for horror RPG and writer on alternate history game rules. He is a former midwest regional wargame convention organizer and the former “Dean” of Origins Gamefair “War College” Seminars.