June 17, 2020 – Gail Morgan, Film Commissioner for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Film Commission, has been named President of Film Florida. It was announced at the Film Florida Annual Meeting, along with the entire Film Florida Board of Directors for 2020-2021.
“It is an honor to serve as President of Film Florida. The organization continues to grow and I’m proud of our accomplishments in recent years,” commented Morgan. “I look forward to working side by side with industry professionals as we seek opportunities to strengthen the film, television and digital media production industry. Our state faces unique challenges right now. Our industry can be an important piece in Florida’s economic recovery and we look forward to doing so as we compete for high wage jobs in the film, television and digital media production industry.”
Gail has been with the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Film Commission (formerly the Emerald Coast Film Commission) for ten years. Prior to becoming the Film Commissioner, she was a Producer and Production Manager for more than twenty years. Gail has exceptional experience working on a variety of productions in the entertainment industry including feature films, television series, commercials, documentary films, large arena events, parades, festivals, musicals and musical tours, theatrical events, corporate entertainment events, conferences and celebrity galas. Gail’s strengths include client relations, team building and overall project budget management. Gail has been a member of Film Florida for nine years and on the Executive Board for the last three years as the 1st Vice President.
Immediate Past President Bonnie King added, “It has been a privilege to serve Film Florida and our entire Florida entertainment production community over the past three years. I enthusiastically support Gail Morgan and believe that her vision, enthusiasm, and tenacity will continue to show the far reaching benefits our industry has on the state of Florida including creating jobs, spurring economic development and enhancing tourism.”
2020 – 2021 Executive Board Officers:
President – Gail Morgan, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Film Commission (Film Commission Council)
1st Vice President – Sandy Lighterman, Miami-Dade Office of Film and Entertainment (Film Commission Council)
2nd Vice President – Matt Wohl, Traveling Dog Films (Industry & Association Council Council)
Secretary – Leah Sokolowsky, Teamsters Local 769 (Labor Council)
Treasurer – Anne Russell, Full Sail University (Education Council)
Immediate Past President – Bonnie King, 321BonnieKing (Industry & Association Council)
Additional Board Members:
Film Commission Council: Chair- Christy Andreoni, Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission; Vice Chair- Chad Newman, Florida Keys & Key West Film Commission; Secretary- Tyler Martinolich, Film Tampa Bay; Alternates- Tony Armer, St. Pete Clearwater Film Commission, Marty Lewis, St. Augustine Film Office, and Todd Roobin, Jacksonville Film & Television Office.
Industry & Association Council: Co-Chair- Alexa Sheehan, HarborDashery Productions, LLC; Co-Chair- Nancy McBride, Reel Kasting; Secretary- Herb Miller, Univision Networks and Studios, Inc.; Alternates- Chris Odom, FireFly Media Group; Jen Vargas, Film Slam.
Education Council: Chair- Lisa Mills, UCF Nicholson School of Communication, College of Sciences; Vice Chair- David Jaffe, Lynn University; Secretary- Stephen McDowell, Florida State University College of Communication & Information.
Hertha Suarez, SAG-AFTRA; and Leah Sokolowsky, Teamsters Local 769 will continue to represent Labor Council.
About Film Florida: Film Florida is a state-wide not-for-profit entertainment production trade association that serves a leadership role in Florida’s film, TV, production and digital media/tech industry by representing all aspects of the business including film commissions, industry, labor, associations and education. The growing membership driven organization provides a network, a platform, and the benefits of playing an active part in solidifying Florida’s position as a major entertainment production destination, positive economic development driver and tourism generator. For more information about Film Florida visit FilmFlorida.org.
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Contact:
Gail Morgan, President, lgailmorgan@cs.com, 850-240-6376
John Lux, Executive Director, jlux@filmflorida.org, 407-494-6195