IA Sixth Vice President Michael J. Sullivan RetiresBrian Lawlor Elected Thirteenth Vice PresidentDeborah Reid Appointed Assistant to the President
International President Thomas C. Short announced changes to the IATSE General Executive Board as well as staff appointments that were made during the 2004 Winter Session of the IATSE General Executive Board Meeting held in Savannah, GA.
Sixth Vice President, Michael J. Sullivan, who has served on the General Executive Board since 1997, announced his retirement. President Short credited Vice President Sullivan with turning around “the Road,” providing IA representation for virtually all traveling shows.
President Short expressed the view showed by virtually everyone in the industry, “Mike Sullivan served this Alliance and helped it to grow while keeping the rights of the workers paramount in his years of service,” President Short stated. “He has earned the respect of both union and employer representatives. No individual ever had more credibility or more knowledge about the Road and the I.A. crafts and members he served, than Vice President Sullivan.”
Sullivan began his career as a stagehand and member of Connecticut- based Local 84 in 1952. He became the Local’s Business Agent in 1975 and served in that capacity for 20 years. In 1995, Sullivan became an International Trustee and three years later, he was appointed Division Director, Stage Craft Department.
Brian Lawlor, Co-Director, Stagecraft Division, was elected by unanimous secret ballot to the General Executive Board as Thirteenth International Vice President. He has been a member of the IATSE since 1979 when he joined Orlando, Florida’s Mixed Local 631. During his 23 years as an IA member, Lawlor has acted as the Business Agent in Local 631 on two separate occasions, serving first from 1987 to 1991 and then again from 1993 to 1999. In addition he has been the Business Agent for Local 843, Animation Guild & Affiliated Optical Electronics & Graphic Arts from 1993 to the present. In 1995, he was appointed as an IA Special Representative and served in this capacity until 1999. Lawlor became an IA Representative, based in Orlando, in January 2000 and moved to the New York office in January 2002. He was appointed Co-Director, Stagecraft Division in October of 2002. In addition to his other duties, Lawlor serves on the IATSE National Benefit Annuity and Pension Funds.
“Brian’s experience will continue the legacy established by Mike Sullivan. As a Vice President, Brian can continue to expand the span and scope of the Stagecraft Division,” Short stated.
In addition, 30-year veteran staffer Deborah Reid was appointed to Assistant to the President. In this capacity, she will be responsible for special projects as assigned by President Short as well as the overall management of the President’s Office and Presidential affairs. A member of the Alliance since 1982 and delegate to many International Conventions, Representative Reid’s experience and skill has become invaluable to President Short.
“Deborah Reid has demonstrated, through her actions, her commitment to the International. Her tenure provides an innate understanding of the Union’s direction and philosophy. This combination makes her a strong and able representative,” said President Short.
