SAG names new executive director

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LOS ANGELES, March 7 (UPI) -- Screen Actors Guild officials have named Greg Hessinger as the organization's national executive director and chief executive officer.

Hessinger has served as national executive director of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists for four years. He is to assume his new SAG duties May 2, succeeding Bob Pisano, who has served in the role since September 2001.

"Greg is a passionate advocate for actors, one of the most creative minds in our industry and a seasoned, skilled executive and negotiator," said SAG President Melissa Gilbert.

The announcement came just as SAG and AFTRA members voted to ratify a three-year contract with producers.

Gilbert said SAG made progress under Pisano's leadership, "Because of Bob, SAG is a better functioning, more focused and far more effective institution than it was when he assumed his responsibilities in September 2001."

Hessinger joined AFTRA in 1998, after a stint at CBS and the Westinghouse Broadcasting Co., where he negotiated collective bargaining agreements with several different entertainment unions, including AFTRA.