SAG-AFTRA is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Schwarz as executive director of the SAG-AFTRA Dallas-Fort Worth Local, with some oversight over the Houston-Austin Local. He starts in the role today.
“This is a big win for our members,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “With his experience, Tom brings a new energy that will surely elevate SAG-AFTRA’s strength and advocacy for our Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma members.”
“Someone like Tom, who has an extensive organizing background, is exactly what our locals need to get us to a place where we have more bargaining power, with not only producers, but also with agents and lawmakers here in Texas,” said SAG-AFTRA Houston-Austin Local President Mykle McCoslin.
“Tom’s presence leading union advocacy in both the political and workers’ spaces makes him an extraordinary asset to us, and we are thrilled and excited to see him take this role to the next level and beyond,” said Dallas-Fort Worth Local President Brent Anderson.
Schwarz comes to SAG-AFTRA with a strong political and union background, previously leading national and in-state political advocacy at the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union in Dallas, where he also helped local unions with political campaign engagement and lobbying efforts. Schwarz holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boise State University, where he gained experience in advocacy work.
Schwarz lives in the Dallas area with his partner, Brianna, and his two daughters, Margaret and Yvonne.
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.