LOS ANGELES (August 1, 2022) — SAG-AFTRA is pleased to announce the appointment of Davis Powell as executive director of the SAG-AFTRA Seattle Local, which serves members in the Seattle and Portland locals. He starts in the new role today.
“I am delighted to welcome Davis to his new role as executive director of the Seattle Local,” said Seattle Local President Rik Deskin. “He has been a valuable and distinguished staff member and, as someone with experience with the unique needs of our local’s members, I know he will hit the ground running. I'd also like to thank our search committee, composed of representatives from Seattle and Portland, who worked at the behest of the board to find us our new executive director."
“It’s great to see Davis promoted to the executive director position. He has been a fierce advocate for members’ interests, and it’s good to know the local is in capable hands,” said Portland Local President Michelle Damis.
“I am thrilled to promote Davis to local executive director,” said National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “He has fought tirelessly for Seattle and Portland broadcast members and I am excited for him to bring that same enthusiasm and zeal to serving all members of both locals in this new role. I also want to thank San Francisco-Northern California Local Executive Director Sean Taylor for ably overseeing both locals in the interim. His dedication to working on behalf of all our members is deeply appreciated.”
“I am honored to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead our dedicated staff team,” said Powell. “I’m looking forward to working with members to take these locals to the next level.”
Powell was hired in February 2021 as a broadcast business representative and promoted in May 2021 to broadcast manager and labor counsel. In that role, Powell administered and enforced broadcast station contracts for the Seattle and Portland Locals. He also served as first chair in multiple station collective bargaining negotiations and represented unit interests in grievances and unfair labor practice charges before the state labor board. In addition, he advised Seattle and Portland Local elected leaders on station updates, legislative updates and other local issues.
Prior to being hired at SAG-AFTRA, Powell served as associate attorney, labor and employment at law firm Bignault & Carter in Savannah, Georgia, as well as working in labor and employment law at a number of other firms.
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.