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On Saturday, June 27, members of Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA) convened at Texas State University in San Marcos for their Annual Meeting. Presiding over the meeting was Don Stokes, the third president to lead the young organization. Stokes recognized and celebrated TXMPA’s role, and industry-wide cooperation, in attaining the passage House Bill 873, a measure improving upon Texas’ Moving Image Industry Incentive Program.
“This bill was the result of a collaborative effort between our cohesive, statewide alliance, our lobbyists HillCo Partners, and key allies like Representative Dawna Dukes, Senator Bob Deuell, Governor Rick Perry, Comptroller Susan Combs, and the staff at the Texas Film Commission,” said Stokes. “This meeting allows us a moment to reflect on our achievement and to prepare for growth our industry will experience as a result of our successes at the Capitol.”
The meeting included the announcement of election results to replace board members with expiring terms, creating the 2009-2010 Board of Directors. Additionally, the membership voted to create a new seat recognizing the Video Games, Animation, and Visual Effects disciplines in the industry.
Assuming three Permanent Industry Seats include:
· Gary Bond for the Texas Association of Film Commissions
· Garry Potts as the Producer’s representative
· Oge Young representing the Video Games, Animation, and Visual Effects industries
Elected as At-Large Members include:
· Craig Berlin
· Larry Cashion
· Robert Curlin
· Linda Alcazar Jurado
· Rick Olmos
· Jeanette Scott
New Regional Representatives and their respected Alternates include:
· Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, Central Regional Rep
o Shelly Schriber, Central Regional Alternate
· David Friedman, North Texas Regional Rep (re-elected)
o Barack Epstein, North Texas Regional Alternate (newly elected)
· Liz Moise Gonzalez, South Central Regional Rep
o Maxine Greco, South Central Regional Alternate
Returning Board Members include:
· Sharon Montana Adams, At-Large Member
· Steve Belsky, Labor/Crew Representative
· Linda Dowell, Labor/Talent Representative
· Jeff Evans, At-Large Member
· Susan Fowler, Southeast Regional Representative
· Larry Jokl, Rio Grande Valley Regional Representative
· Camille Scioli McNamara, Panhandle Regional Representative
· Lynne Moon, Texas Association of Film/Tape Professionals Representative
· Don Stokes, At-Large Member
· Sandra Welch, West Texas Regional Representative
Following the Annual Meeting, the new Board of Directors held its first meeting where it elected officers. Don Stokes was elected to return as president, Susan Fowler was elected vice president, Camille McNamara was elected secretary, and Shelly Schriber was elected treasurer. Stokes commented, “Today we had the opportunity to thank and salute our outgoing board members for the huge sacrifice of time and dedication they gave for which this entire industry is indebted. Through their efforts, we achieved legislation that is paramount to our livelihood. The new Board begins its work today and we look forward to finding more ways to growing our moving image industry and bringing more business to Texas.” |
