SAG-AFTRA Elevates William Bensussen to Executive Director, Operations & Chief Administrative Officer

LOS ANGELES — SAG-AFTRA announced today that it will promote Senior Deputy General Counsel William Bensussen to executive director, operations & chief administrative officer, effective July 15.

In his new role, Bensussen will help enhance member service and organizational efficiency by overseeing key initiatives and helping teams work together for maximum effectiveness, in collaboration with SAG-AFTRA’s executive leadership and senior management teams. He will also serve as senior counsel for specialized matters. Bensussen will report to Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

“Will Bensussen will be an important contributor in this newly established position. His background, insight and commitment to the union’s core values and key initiatives make him uniquely positioned to advance SAG-AFTRA’s operations,” said Crabtree-Ireland.

Said Bensussen, “I’m grateful for this unique opportunity to further the interests of the union and the members that we serve and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Bensussen began his employment at SAG-AFTRA in 2002 and is currently serving as the union’s senior deputy general counsel. Prior to his current role, he held several positions in the legal department. Bensussen also served as the interim associate executive director of the Los Angeles Local from 2015 to 2016.

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.