ATLANTA – Georgia Production Partnership (GPP), the state’s leading entertainment industry association, inaugurated their new slate of officers for the 2016-2018 term.
The group will be led by Co-Presidents Patricia (Trish) Taylor and Clark Cofer. Chris Escobar will serve as vice-president and Deborah Childs as GPP’s secretary. Lisa Wright was re-elected to her post as treasurer. All held previous active leadership positions within the organization.
GPP is a coalition of companies and individuals who are active in the film, video, music, and interactive game industries. Their goal is to do whatever it takes to help grow the industry in Georgia
“It is an honor to be elected GPP co-president and to have our membership of top industry leaders continue their trust in this organization to lead through advocacy and education,” said Taylor. “Film and television production is exploding in Georgia with an associated economic impact in the billions. GPP is proud of its role and mission to protect the state tax incentive, which is a prime factor in bringing in these productions, and plans to continue in 2016.”
Taylor has over 25 years’ experience in the communications and entertainment industry. Currently, she owns a marketing and public relations consulting business, is a working actor and the operations manager at Craig Miller Productions. She has served as GPP’s vice-president since 2011.
Cofer echoed her enthusiasm. “I am thrilled and honored to be elected GPP co-president,” said Cofer. “GPP offers such a great venue for industry leaders to come together and make a difference. I have spent the last four years helping grow the membership and I hope that, as co-president, I can continue make an even bigger impact for our membership and our industry.”
Cofer has worked in and around the Video Film Production Community for 23 years as an executive producer, producer, project manager, & art director. Since 2011, Clark has served on the GPP Executive Board as membership chair.
Along with the Co-Presidents, the other officers will contribute a variety of insight and experience to their leadership of GPP; Vice-President Chris Escobar is executive director of the Atlanta Film Festival, Secretary Deborah Childs is a working actor in film and television and Treasurer Lisa Wright is principal of LA Wright & Associates, LLC.
In addition to the new officers, members elected four new Executive Board members. Lisa Ferrell, Executive Producer at Resolution Media & Entertainment; Joan Karpeles, independent producer; Michelle Digaetano, licensed therapeutic on-set massage therapist; and Susan Moss, SAG-AFTRA actor, independent producer and WIFTA executive director. They join current board members Melissa Goodman, SAG-AFTRA executive director; Brennan Dicker, director of Post Media Services for Crawford Media; Linda Burns, independent producer and production manager; Fran Burst, independent filmmaker; Cameron McAllister, social media consultant and Mark Knapp, actor and IT consultant.
About Georgia Production Partnership:
Established in 1995 as a 501(c)(6) corporation, GPP was founded by a handful of Atlanta film industry pioneers and has grown to over 500 members made up of directors, producers, writers, TV and film crew professionals, broadcast and television studios, lighting and equipment companies, payroll, casting directors, talent agencies, actors, musicians, music writer/producers, union and association directors, hotel representatives and other service companies.
