Well to try and answer one of you questions, are you wanting a mob to refer to someone playing the arc? If so, simply type 'I hope $name doesn't find this hideout', just as a basic example.
I'm not too sure where/if you can see your contact details, you should be able too because your allowed to a miniature description about them. I think the only way to view them in-game is to have them in your missions at some point, not entirely sure if that is 100% accurate though.
-Zantheus
Thanks! I didn't know if it was $name or $target
To get anyone in the mission to refer to you by name use $name
(there's also $heshe, $himher, $hisher if you need to use a pronoun relating to the player)
I'm not sure if you can put a background on your contact. But to put one on your allies put one in when you make them. There's a large area for a background on the screen where you name them and choose their faction.
I think there's also a place where you can write one as you add the character.
"The best thing about being a robot duplicate of Lord Nemesis is, well... Everything."
Thanks. My husbands birthday present will be ready on time. 
Hope this isnt' too late: "$name" doesn't always work the way you want. Something about the distance to the speaker. Anyway, I suggest using "$target" instead.
PS: Birthday present, huh? I did a mission that was a surprise party for someone in my player group. It even had a talking pinata. Let me know if you want to see it.
I'm just finishing the first part of my arc featuring one of my favorite characters deepest back stories, and guest staring members from my SG (and some of their background). Testing is going well, but I have some really noob questions.
When writing your contact dialog, how do you get it to refer to the hero doing the arcs name?
How do you write a background folks can see on your contact and allies?
I know its probably posted in many places, but I'm rushing a bit to get this done for my husbands birthday.
Thanks
-Mizzer