Episode 540 - Inventing Sequence: Interview with Doug Reuter

Ron and Ed sit down with Doug Reuter, the inventive mind behind the beloved board game Sequence. Doug shares the fascinating journey of bringing Sequence to life—a process that spanned four years of development, three years to secure licensing, and nearly another year before it hit store shelves in 1982. Beyond his success in the gaming industry, Doug delves into his political career, highlighting his two terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He discusses how his knack for strategy and rule-making in game design translated into his legislative work, where he adeptly utilized procedural rules to navigate political challenges. Join us for an engaging conversation that explores the intersections of creativity, entrepreneurship, and public service.

Guest Bio

Doug Reuter and his wife, Nancy, are 19-year residents of Corinth, TX – a north suburb of Dallas. Married 54 years, they have two daughters, four grandchildren and a son who is deceased. Doug has a BA in Business Management with a minor in Business Finance. Doug is a Vietnam-era veteran - Honorably Discharged in 1972 after having served six years of combined active duty and active reserve service in the U. S. Navy. He has over 30 years of Senior Human Resource Management experience and was twice elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives where he served from 1997 to 2001. Legislative achievements include working single-handedly for 14 months to successfully re-establish the original Founders language regarding the House session opening prayer rule and successfully worked across the aisle with Representative Phyllis Kahn (D) Minneapolis, both in Committee and in a full House session, to kill Governor Ventura’s desire to establish a Unicameral Legislature in Minnesota.

Doug is also the inventor of several board and card games including the family board game SEQUENCEÒ which has been continuously marketed for over 40 years, enjoys world-wide distribution and has sold over 20 million copies.