A Letter from L.A. President Clyde Kusatsu

Dear Member,

It is such an honor and humbling that you chose me as the first elected president of our local. I ran for this office to make a difference in members’ lives and I am committed to doing so.

I send my congratulations to our top national officers, President Ken Howard and Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino, and all of my colleagues elected to serve our 25 locals across the country.

Elected office is one of the greatest honors that the membership bestows, and I intend to perform the duties of the office in the same mold as those who came before me. Ned Vaughn and Gabrielle Carteris showed extraordinary leadership and service as co-presidents of the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local. They were instrumental in bringing our two organizations together into the unified SAG-AFTRA, and their leadership helped us navigate this pivotal and challenging 18-month transition. They served as exemplars, the best and brightest, and I know that you join me in thanking Gabrielle and Ned for their service. I will work every day to equal their many tremendous contributions and their strong leadership.

Later this month, we will gather in Los Angeles for SAG-AFTRA’s first national convention. The convention is an opportunity for members to become better educated about their union and the industry in which they work. Hundreds of newly elected leaders, national board members and delegates will be traveling to Los Angeles to participate in important strategic planning and governance activities.

While the convention itself is open only to elected delegates, I hope that you will wish us well as we meet to do the members’ business from Sept. 26–29, at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE.

I also urge all members to take advantage of our website to stay informed of the latest goings-on regarding our union, and to consider it as a resource and directory in navigating our industry. If you’re not already registered at SAGAFTRA.org, you should sign up now.

Your union is one of your most valuable resources and guides to the industry. If you’re not registered, you may not be receiving all the important information you need to take full advantage of your SAG-AFTRA membership.

In unity,

Clyde Kusatsu

This item was originally featured in the September 2013 local newsletter.