COLLEAGUES TAKE HELMS OF SAG, AFTRA.Byline: Greg Hernandez Staff Writer A new era in executive leadership began Monday for sister unions Screen Actors Guild guild Association of craftsmen or merchants formed for mutual aid and for the advancement of their professional interests. Guilds flourished in Europe between the 11th and 16th century and were of two types: merchant guilds, including all the merchants of a particular town and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) is a performers' union that represents a wide variety of talent, including actors in radio and television, as well as radio and television announcers and newspersons, singers and recording artists (both royalty . Greg Hessinger officially assumed the job of SAG's chief executive officer, succeeding the controversial Bob Pisano, while Kim Roberts Hedgpeth was named to Hessinger's old post of national executive director of AFTRA AFTRA American Federation of Television & Radio Artists over the weekend. A member of AFTRA's national staff since 1992, Hedgpeth has been acting national executive director since April 21 and was AFTRA's associate national executive director for more than five years before that. The AFTRA national president, John P. Connolly John P. Connolly is an American actor and the Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association. Mr. Connolly assumed this position in March 2007, after serving six years as the President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists ("AFTRA"). , said the union's more than 80,000 members could not be better served. ``As we expected, Kim Roberts Hedgpeth stepped into the challenging role of AFTRA national executive director without missing a beat - and with a gentle grace, quiet power and keen intelligence that is the mark of a true leader,'' he said. Hedgpeth's hiring was approved by the union's national board Saturday based on the unanimous recommendation of a joint committee of national officers and administrators. Two of the first major orders of business under Hedgpeth are two constitutional amendments to be considered by AFTRA's national convention this summer: a measure eliminating the requirement that the national headquarters be located in Manhattan, so it can be moved to Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , and a measure that reduces the size of AFTRA's national board from its current 116 members to 73, plus elected officers. ``At this pivotal moment in AFTRA's history, I look forward to working with those committed individuals to meet the challenges and exploit the opportunities faced by the wide array of media professionals AFTRA represents,'' Hedgpeth said. Hessinger had headed AFTRA for nearly five years. When his hiring was announced in early March, it was seen as an opportunity to help thaw the icy divide between SAG (1) A momentary drop in voltage from the power source. Contrast with spike. (2) (SAG) (SQL Access Group) See CLI. President Melissa Gilbert and her Restore Respect supporters and the guild's influential Membership First faction fac·tion 1 n. 1. A group of persons forming a cohesive, usually contentious minority within a larger group. 2. Conflict within an organization or nation; internal dissension: . Notorious divisions in SAG in recent years have resulted in bitter referendum referendum, referral of proposed laws or constitutional amendments to the electorate for final approval. This direct form of legislation, along with the initiative, was known in Greece and other early democracies. campaigns over such issues as a proposed SAG/AFTRA merger, a dues increase and a talent-agency agreement. All referendums, supported by Gilbert, were defeated. In his only public statement since his hiring, Hessinger urged unity and the creation of an internal culture that makes it possible for the union to ``successfully confront the challenges before it.'' Greg Hernandez, (818) 713-3758 greg.hernandez(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) HESSINGER (2) HEDGPETH |
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