Screen Actors Guild Announces Results of National Board Elections
Howard and Aquino Re-Elected President, Secretary-Treasurer
Los Angeles (September 22, 2011) — Screen Actors Guild today announced the results of elections for its top two elected positions and National Board. Ken Howard has been re-elected for a second term as Screen Actors Guild president, and Amy Aquino will continue in her role as secretary-treasurer. Both will serve two-year terms, beginning September 25.
Ballots for the national officers election were mailed to 100,994 paid-up SAG members on August 23, and 23,459 were tabulated today, for a return of 23.23 percent. Howard received 17,492 votes, with David Hillberg getting 3,047 votes, Sharon Rubin receiving 1,681 votes and Asmar Muhammad receiving 855 votes. Aquino ran unopposed and received 20,399 votes.
“There’s nothing more important than members exercising their right to vote, and I’m very grateful for their continued support,” said Howard. “With so many pro-merger candidates elected again this year, there’s no doubt what members want, and I look forward to presenting a comprehensive plan to the SAG and AFTRA national boards in January.”
“Two years ago, SAG members definitively set the Guild on the road to merger, and this election confirms they want it more than ever,” Aquino said. “I’ll continue working to strengthen SAG’s operations and finances, and I’m honored to be able to help my fellow performers achieve the crucial goal of creating one union.”
A working actor for more than 40 years, Howard has an extensive resume that includes work on television, movies and the stage, including the upcoming Clint Eastwood biopic J. Edgar. An Emmy and Tony Award winner, he helped create and starred in The White Shadow from 1978 – 1982, and has had recurring roles on 30 Rock, Dynasty, Melrose Place and Crossing Jordan. He is the author of the book Act Natural, and serves as the chancellor of the National Kidney Foundation.
Aquino’s career in acting spans more than two decades. She has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including Moonstruck, Law & Order, Castle, Monk, ER, CSI and Everybody Loves Raymond just to name a few. She also has an extensive career in theater, and holds a master’s degree from the Yale School of Drama.
Screen Actors Guild also announced election results for the National Board of Directors. Approximately one third of the 69 national board seats were open for election this year, representing Screen Actors Guild’s Hollywood, New York and Regional Branch divisions.
Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director David White welcomed new members, as well as those who were re-elected.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to President Howard, Secretary-Treasurer Aquino and all of the new and returning members of the Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors,” he said. “I look forward to working with the officers and board members during such an exciting period in the Guild’s life. We have a lot of terrific work ahead of us.”
SAG’s Hollywood Division elected 12 National Board members; the New York Division elected five National Board members; and seven National Board members were elected from the union’s branches in Boston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Houston, Nashville, Nevada and Washington-Baltimore.
National Board members elected from the Hollywood Division: Tony Shalhoub, Ken Howard, Adam Arkin, Amy Aquino, Stephen Collins, D.W. Moffett, Scott Bakula, Ned Vaughn, Mimi Cozzens, Arye Gross, L. Scott Caldwell (three-year terms) and Kate Flannery (one-year term).
The following were elected to serve as National Board alternates and to the Hollywood Division Board of Directors (one-year terms): Valerie Harper, Ellen Crawford, Esai Morales, Stacey Travis, John Carroll Lynch, Lisa Vidal, Christine Lakin, Michael O’Neill, Mandy Steckelberg, Tara Radcliffe, Michelle Allsopp, Bob Bergen, Assaf Cohen, Jon Huertas, Sarayu Rao, Allen Lulu, Woody Schultz, Donal Logue, Patrick Fabian, Iqbal Theba, Bertila Damas and Parvesh Cheena.
National Board members elected from the New York Division (three-year terms): Rebecca Damon, Lewis Black, Sam Robards, Ezra Knight and Jay Potter.
Additionally, New York Division members re-elected Mike Hodge for a two-year term as New York Division president. Hodge received 3,185 votes with Sam Robards receiving 2,276 votes.
The following were elected to serve as National Board alternates and to the New York Division Board of Directors (one-year terms): Traci Godfrey, Mark Blum, Marc Baron, John Rothman, Kevin Scullin, Dave Bachman, Matt Servitto, Phoebe Jonas and Manny Alfaro.
National Board members elected from the Regional Branch Division (three-year terms): Bill Mootos (Boston), Suzanne Burkhead (Dallas/Ft. Worth), Ed Kelly (Detroit), Robert Nelson (Houston), Cece DuBois (Nashville), Art Lynch (Nevada) and Steven F. Schmidt (Washington-Baltimore).
Ballots for all eligible SAG members in Hollywood and New York were mailed on August 23 with a September 22 return deadline and were tabulated today by the independent election company Integrity Voting Systems. A total of 10,621 ballots were tabulated in the Hollywood Division (representing 19.37 percent of ballots mailed in the Hollywood Division) and 5,739 ballots were tabulated in the New York Division (representing 25.11 percent of ballots mailed in the New York Division). The number of ballots returned in the Regional Branch elections varied by region.
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A Message to New York SAG Members from KEN HOWARD
As we head into the Labor Day weekend, I’d like to remind New York SAG members how important it is to vote in this election. I’m not just asking you to support me as SAG President and Amy Aquino as Secretary-Treasurer. I’m also urging you to vote for Mike Hodge as New York President, along with all 11 terrific USAN Board candidates.
Amy and I – and our Unite for Strength colleagues in Hollywood – have partnered with Mike Hodge and USAN from day one. Working together, we’ve led a national coalition that rejected the divisive tactics of previous leaders and put SAG and AFTRA back on a path to unity. I’ve gotten to know Mike and the USAN team extremely well over the last three years, and their commitment to serving SAG members is unsurpassed.
That commitment was in full force last weekend, when Hurricane Irene threatened to derail the second round of merger talks between SAG and AFTRA. Refusing to accept defeat, Mike, Rebecca Damon, and other USAN leaders leapt into action and helped turn what could easily have become a disappointing loss into a productive and important set of meetings. Effective leadership like that comes from experience – it’s one more reason Mike Hodge and USAN are the leaders I trust.
The most critical work to achieve the goal of uniting SAG and AFTRA is happening right now, and the contributions of Mike Hodge and USAN are an essential part of developing the right merger plan. They know that getting the job done is important – but getting it done right is crucial. Like me, they won’t accept any plan that doesn’t protect and strengthen our future.
USAN helped begin this process and with their continued leadership, we’re on track to deliver a recommendation for a formal merger agreement to the SAG and AFTRA national boards in January. If the boards approve the plan, it will be sent to members so they can vote to determine if SAG and AFTRA will become one union.
And just as they took the time to hear the hopes and concerns of New York members before the process began, Mike and the USAN team will make sure New York members have all the information they need – in printed materials, online, and through extensive informational meetings – to make a truly informed decision before voting.
When it comes to protecting the vital interests of New York SAG members, there’s no substitute for the proven leadership of Mike Hodge and USAN. They’ve delivered real results, time and again, and have the experience and insight necessary to lead all performers into a stronger future together.
I hope you have a safe and happy Labor Day.
In unity,
Ken Howard
*** USAN 2011 VOTER GUIDE ***
(Listed by ballot number)
Ken Howard - President
Amy Aquino - Secretary – Treasurer
Mike Hodge - NY Division President
1 - Ezra Knight
4 - Jay Potter
6 - John Rothman
7 - Kevin Scullin
9 - Manny Alfaro
11 - Dave Bachman
12- Marc Baron
14 - Lewis Black
15 - Mark Blum
16 - Rebecca Damon
19 - Traci Godfrey
VOTE FOR THE USAN OFFICER AND 11 BOARD CANDIDATES.
MAIL YOUR BALLOT BY SEPTEMBER 20!
Diverse, Proven, Effective. USAN is the team you can trust.
Not paid for by SAG funds. SAG officer titles do not indicate endorsement by Screen Actors Guild.
For a Sample Ballot for USAN candidates
click here
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For a Sample Ballot for USAN candidates
click here
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 26, 2011
USAN ANNOUNCES CANDIDATES FOR 2011 SAG NATIONAL AND NY DIVISION ELECTIONS.
NY PRESIDENT MIKE HODGE REAFFIRMS INTENT TO DELIVER MERGER PLAN IN JANUARY.
United Screen Actors Nationwide is proud to announce its candidates for the 2011 SAG National and New York Division Elections. The slate includes Ken Howard for National President, Amy Aquino for National Secretary Treasurer, Mike Hodge for NY Division President, and the following candidates for the National and NY Division Boards of Directors: Manny Alfaro, Dave Bachman, Marc Baron, Lewis Black, Mark Blum, Rebecca Damon, Traci Godfrey, Ezra Knight, Jay Potter, John Rothman, and Kevin Scullin.
SAG National President Ken Howard said, “NY President Mike Hodge and the USAN team are the right choice for New York members who want one union now. Under USAN’s leadership, SAG renewed and strengthened our historic partnership with AFTRA, and in just a few months we’ll be making the most crucial decision ever about our future as one union.
“USAN made merger a possibility, and every step of the way, NY President Mike Hodge has shown that he understands and will protect the diverse needs of all NY members. With so much at stake, you should accept nothing less than the proven leadership of Mike Hodge and USAN. They are the leaders I trust.”
SAG Secretary Treasurer Amy Aquino noted, “Working with Mike Hodge and USAN has made one thing clear: they are fiercely committed to protecting New York members and they are the leaders who are equipped to bring us all into one strong union. Their intelligence and passion for actors have served Screen Actors Guild through its toughest times, and they will guide New York and the country through this exciting and critical period like no one else.”
New York Division President Mike Hodge declared, “USAN has a proven track record of listening to members and providing what they need — whether it’s the hard-won tax incentives that have brought more jobs for NY members, strong contracts to protect our P&H benefits, or the essential member programs actors count on.
“What New York performers need more than anything is for SAG and AFTRA to become one powerful national union — and they can trust USAN to achieve it. Our work over the last two years has brought merger to the verge of success, and we are ready to deliver a plan in January. USAN will get the job done.”
Celebrated comedian/actor and first-time board candidate Lewis Black said, “I’m running with USAN for a simple reason: they are committed to uniting SAG and AFTRA and I want to help them make it happen.”
USAN brings a decade of proven leadership to SAG governance. Along with Hollywood sister organization Unite for Strength, they are credited with restoring productive relationships between the Guild and fellow entertainment labor unions. Most notably they repaired the historic partnership between SAG and AFTRA, paving the way for a collaborative effort, now underway, to develop a formal merger plan for presentation to the unions’ national boards in January, 2012.
USAN leaders participated in the nationwide Presidents’ Forum for One Union Listening Tour, gathering crucial input from SAG and AFTRA members in New York and across the country. USAN is committed to protecting all categories of performers, and this member input will form the foundation of a combined successor union.
Recent achievements under USAN include:
- Unanimous board approval to create the SAG Merger Task Force, adopt a successor union mission statement, and begin formal merger talks with AFTRA.
- NY State and City film production tax credits – thousands of additional NY jobs.
- A new TV/Theatrical Contract, approved by 94% of members, that provided the largest dollar-value increase in the history of the SAG P&H plans.
- NY State COBRA extension bill – so members can keep Guild health insurance.
- New Guild financial and operations plans, including an online Production Center that has signed over 1000 new media projects this year alone.
- Corporate/Educational & Non-Broadcast Contract ratified by 95%, which will create more work for our members.
- Increased member communications including the New York Actor and SAGazine.
- Valuable member programs such as: MOVE/MORE, “Business of the Biz”, and Casting Seminars.
Follow USAN on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/USANforOneUnion) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/groups/25157060924?ap=1)
About USAN
USAN is dedicated to bringing everyone who works in front of a camera or microphone into one powerful union. USAN representatives work in every area of the entertainment and media industries, and are committed to securing the strongest wages and working conditions for professional performers in all media. USAN is devoted to building unity within the Screen Actors Guild and among all entertainment unions by honoring the fundamental labor principle “We are union, We are one!”
**Titles above are used for identification purposes only and do not imply any official position or endorsement of Screen Actors Guild.**
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