Vancouver, B.C. – July 24 – The General Executive Board of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Motion Picture Technicians and Allied Artists, at its mid-summer meeting in Vancouver unanimously elected William E. Gearns, Jr. to the position of International Vice President. Gearns, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana started his career as a stagehand in IATSE Local 30, and has been a member of the IATSE for 44 years.

In 1988 Mr. Gearns was appointed to serve as an International Representative of the IATSE and received assignments to assist a number of local unions during his tenure with great successes.  In 2000 he was appointed to the position of Director of the newly created Trade Show and Display Work Department of the Alliance and through his efforts and dedication, the IATSE has made great strides and has accomplished a great deal in providing the best possible representation to those working in that aspect of the industry.

It was stated by International President Matthew D. Loeb that “with his combined intelligence and tenacity, Bill Gearns will no doubt continue to provide great representation to the members of the IATSE in his new post as a member of the General Executive Board.”

Gearns was elected by the Board to fill the vacancy created by the untimely passing of International Vice President Timothy F. Magee on July 6.