Farewell to Local Executive Director JD Miller

A Message from Board President Tom Murray

We were recently saddened to learn that our local executive director of 10 years, John D. Miller, decided to pursue another opportunity. JD’s last day at SAG-AFTRA was Friday, June 12. The board and the membership of the Missouri Valley Local thank him for his years of dedicated service and wish him well as he shifts the focus of his career (see message from JD below).

A search committee was formed and has determined - in conjunction with staff, including SAG-AFTRA’s Assistant National Executive Director for Locals Linda Dowell; Chief Broadcast Officer Mary Cavallaro; and human resources staff - that our local needs an executive director with a real feel for the complex relationships that bind our region. They also determined we also need a manager/labor counsel to assist broadcast members in the region. I am pleased to report that Maureen O’Brien will be acting as the interim local executive director for a period of time to be determined. As you may know, Maureen began her employment in 2008 and has developed integral relationships with the industry in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. In her capacity as a business representative, she has been an active organizer of work opportunities for members. The broadcast position will be posted internally and externally within the next week. We are excited and confident that Maureen and our member services administrator, Tanya Tweedy, will steer the ship on a productive course and we look forward to sharing more information with you as things progress.

 

A Message from JD Miller

Ten years ago, the Local Boards of Directors for AFTRA in Missouri hired me to be the local executive director of this great local. Since that time we have seen unprecedented challenges to our union. We all lived through the greatest economic turmoil since the time of our grandparents and great-grandparents. We have seen technology change at a pace faster than probably at any time in history and certainly since the industrial revolution. These rapid changes have altered the way employers do business and as a result, altered their expectations on you. I don’t think anyone among us think we are through with the changes – more are to come I am sure.

As a result we have had to change and adapt to survive. At every step we have had to make decisions on what path to take as we move forward. For the most part I believe the decisions we have made have been the right ones. The broadcast members are working harder than they ever have but they are still working and still doing an important job for citizens who rely on them to be informed. Performers have worked to organize more work but have also fought hard to keep the work they have.

As a union, we are now SAG-AFTRA and stronger together than we ever were divided. We are a more efficient and more dynamic union now and more effective in executing our core goals. I think the union has done a fantastic job of changing with the times to remain in a position where it can effectively and consistently fight for our members.

After all, that is the core and guiding principle. Every day when faced with a decision, I asked which option was going to improve the lives of the members I represent. Furtherance of that goal is why we exist as an organization. We must do all we can to make sure our members have quality healthcare, quality retirement and solid job protections at work.

I have tried my best to advance all of those goals, but I could not have done it alone. I have relied on a great staff, stewards and other member leaders to guide me, and without them I could not have been effective. I encourage all members to step up and lend your voice to your union to help us fight for you and your professional colleagues.

I thank you all for your trust in the time I have been here. It has truly been my honor to work for you.

In solidarity,

John D. Miller