George Heller Awards Honor Members and Staff

During the SAG-AFTRA Convention, SAG-AFTRA bestowed 2021 National one of its highest honors, the George Heller Memorial Award. Over the years, the award, which takes the form of a gold SAG-AFTRA membership card, has been presented to members and staff who have given years of outstanding service to SAG-AFTRA and its predecessor unions.

Despite this year’s awards show being a virtual ceremony, the event maintained its longstanding tradition of keeping the names of the recipients a secret until showtime — which not only made for a great surprise, but kept the tribute a delight for attendees. It was hosted by NPR Throughline co-hosts and co-producers Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei.

The 2021 recipients were SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Actors/Performers William Charlton; National Board member Bill Mootos; Chief Communications & Marketing Officer Pamela Greenwalt; and Chief Financial Officer Arianna Ozzanto.

As vice president, actors/performers, Charlton has displayed a deep understanding of SAG-AFTRA’s contracts and its constitution throughout the years. Over time, he has served on a variety of committees and brought a relentless focus to improving wages, residual payments and working conditions. Throughout his time in leadership, he has developed practical solutions and effectively advocated for their implementation, which has helped improve the lives of thousands of members.

Mootos’ union service dates back to before merger. In 2003, he served as president of the Screen Actors Guild Boston Branch and, later, as a member of the national boards of both SAG and AFTRA. In addition to playing a key role in the 2012 merger, Mootos has continued to serve as a member of the SAG-AFTRA National Board and has devoted countless hours to a range of essential committees. His influence has been felt on every level of the union, and he remains a steadfast advocate for performers outside of L.A. and N.Y.

As SAG-AFTRA’s chief communications and marketing officer, Greenwalt has drawn on her background in strategic communications, marketing, production, events coordination and labor outreach to build and empower an industry-leading MarCom program. She launched or suppported numerous member education and engagement campaigns, including acting as staff lead for the joint education and outreach workgroup during the successful SAG and AFTRA merger. Over her 15-year tenure with the union, Greenwalt’s efforts have resulted in a powerful global brand, impressive image and respected institutional reputation.

Ozzanto has played a central role in protecting the union’s fnancial strength for more than 17 years. She is known among the union’s leadership for her budgetary acumen, analytical skills and stewardship of the union’s Accounting, Finance and Payroll departments. Additionally, Ozzanto has been credited as one of the driving forces behind SAG-AFTRA’s navigation of the COVID-19 crisis. It is her relentless work that has ensured the union’s ability to emerge from the pandemic fnancially sound and capable of serving the needs of its members.

The awards’ namesake, performer George Heller, was a founder of the American Federation of Radio Artists in 1937. He served as its frst treasurer, associate national executive secretary and New York Local executive secretary from 1937 until 1946, when he became AFRA national executive secretary. His tenure continued upon AFRA’s transition to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in 1952 until his untimely passing in 1955. He is most recognized for his negotiation of the AFTRA Pension and Welfare Plan.

Each George Heller Memorial Award honoree is chosen by a dedicated subcommittee of National Honors and Tributes Committee members and a small group of past honorees.