LEADERSHIP
board of governors
GANNON MURPHY
General Manager,
Cinelease Studios -Three Ring
Atlanta native Gannon Murphy leads the Cinelease Studios brand, Entertainment Division of Herc Rentals and the Lighting & Grip Division of Cinelease.
GANNON MURPHY
CHAIRMAN
General Manager, Cinelease Studios - Three Ring
MICHAEL AKINS
Business Agent, IATSE Local 479
Mike Akins manages the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Local 479, which has grown during his tenure to be one of the largest film trade organizations in the United States.
MICHAEL AKINS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Business Agent, IATSE Local 479
MARK PARKMAN
COO, BlueStar Studios
Mark Parkman understands each element of content creation and how to keep projects on track. He came to BlueStar Studios from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where he was the creative architect of its global content strategy and earned two Emmy Awards.
MARK PARKMAN
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
COO, BlueStar Studios
MICHAEL CLARK
General Manager of
Studio Operations,
Eagle Rock Studios
Michael Clark is a former Production Coordinator and Supervisor, having worked on several TV series in both Los Angeles and Atlanta. As of January 2023, he is the General Manager of Studio Operations for Eagle Rock Studios.
MICHAEL CLARK
General Manager of
Studio Operations,
Eagle Rock Studios.
MICHAEL NEWPORT
Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer,
The MBS Group
DAN ROSENFELT
Founder, Electric Owls Studios
From Philadelphia to Los Angeles to Atlanta, Dan turned his passion for movies and TV into a gratifying career working in various locations departments
DAN ROSENFELT
Founder,
Electric Owl Studios
BETH TALBERT
Vice President, Studio Operations, NBCUniversal at Assembly Studios
Beth Talbert leads studio operations for NBCUniversal at Assembly Studios. A veteran of the television studio industry, Beth’s experience in Los Angeles and Atlanta includes production, operations, distribution, client services and marketing.
BETH TALBERT
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Vice President, Studio Operations, NBCUniversal at Assembly Studios
CHRIS CLARK
President & CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce
As leader of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Chris Clark leverages extensive experience in Georgia government, including as deputy commissioner of the Department of Economic Development, which oversees the tax credit.
CHRIS CLARK
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
President & CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce
JOHN RAULET
Partner at Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Westside Stageworks, and Eastside Stageworks
John Raulet provides commercial real estate services to Georgia’s film and television industry. He was instrumental in the early years of the Georgia film tax credit in securing space for shows when there were few stage options.
JOHN RAULET
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Partner at Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Westside Stageworks, and Eastside Stageworks
TYLER EDGARTON
Partner at Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Westside Stageworks, and Eastside Stageworks
Tyler Edgarton has more than 30 years of experience in the Atlanta real estate market, active in property acquisitions, film production, studio ownership, renting props and set decorations, and supporting film festivals.
TYLER EDGARTON
Partner at Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Westside Stageworks, and Eastside Stageworks
FRANK PATTERSSON
President & CEO, Trilith Studios
Frank Patterson, a studio executive, entrepreneur and higher-education thought leader, leads Trillith Studios, the second largest purpose-built film studio in North America.
FRANK PATTERSON
President & CEO,
Trilith Studios
PETER RUMBOLD
Head of Real Estate,
Shadowbox Studios
Peter Rumbold leads project teams at Shadowbox Studios that are actively developing more than 3 million square feet of new studio space.
PETER RUMBOLD
Head of Real Estate,
Shadowbox Studios
BILLY STOLL
Vice President, EUE/Screen Gems Studios Atlanta
With decades of experience in studio operations and production, Billy Stoll is leading EUE/Screen Gems Studios Atlanta into its next phase of growth.
BILLY STOLL
TREASURER
Vice President, EUE/Screen Gems Studios Atlanta
STEVE MENSCH
President & General Manager of Studio Operations, Tyler Perry Studios
Steve Mensch is President and General Manager of Studio Operations at Tyler Perry Studios, an all-inclusive, premiere film and television production facility that supports both Tyler Perry Productions and outside production.
STEVE MENSCH
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
President & General Manager of Studio Operations, Tyler Perry Studios
JUSTIN CAMPBELL
Director of Studio Operations,
Gray TV
Justin manages the day-to-day operations of Third Rail Studios at Assembly in Doraville, GA and is involved with Gray’s expansion of its soundstage portfolio at Assembly Studios.
JUSTIN CAMPBELL
Director of Studio Operations,
Gray TV
JOEL HARBER
CEO, Athena Studios
Joel Harber leads Athens, GA’s Athena Studios, a state-of-the-art purpose-built studio space for television and film production.
JOEL HARBER
CEO,
Athena Studios
JOHN ROOKER
Founder & Managing Partner, Atlanta Metro Studios
John Rooker leads Atlanta Metro Studios and is the CEO of Rooker, a full-service real estate development firm. Atlanta Metro Studios (AMS) was the result of Rooker's redevelopment of Shannon Mall in Union City, GA.
JOHN ROOKER
Founder & Managing Partner, Atlanta Metro Studios
board of directors
Mike Byrd
Director of Sales, Yancey Entertainment
Mike Byrd specializes in delivering high customer service and value to the unique demands of the film, production, and entertainment industry.
Amanda Gentles
Senior Vice President, General Manager, WarnerMedia Studios at Warner Bros. Discovery
Amanda Gentles is an experienced senior-level entertainment executive with WarnerMedia Studios at Warner Bros. Discovery, an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate.
Greg Lewis
Lightnin’ Production Rentals
Greg Lewis is a third-generation member of the Lewis family, which founded Lightnin’ Production Rentals in Lawrenceville in 1979 and now services film and TV productions through its Georgia and New York locations.
Brandon Reese
Matt Davis
President & CEO of Reel Supplies
Matt Davis leads Reel Supplies, a building supply company that has supplied more than 1,600 episodic TV and feature film productions across the country.
Jessa Grazioplene
Director of Studio Client Relations, Cinelease Studios
Jessa Grazioplene leads studio management for Cinelease Studios, which includes locations for episodic TV and feature films in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles.
Kate McArdle
Interim Executive Director, Georgia Film Academy
Ex officio Board Member
Kate McArdle leads the Georgia Film Academy, which supports a collaboration of educational institutions offering professional courses in film, television, digital entertainment, Esports, and game development.
Peter Stathopoulos
Partner, Bennett Thrasher
Peter Stathopoulos is a Partner in Bennett Thrasher’s State & Local Tax practice, leading the Entertainment division to help clients maximize entertainment incentives for film, television and digital interactive entertainment.
Brennen Dicker
Executive Director, Creative Media Industries Institute, Georgia State University
Brennen Dicker is a film and video professional now focused on exploring the intersection of creativity, technology and entrepreneurship in Georgia’s film, television and gaming industries.
Scott Griffin
President & CEO, Griffco
Scott Griffin leads Griffco, an Atlanta-based design/build construction firm he founded in 2007 that specializes in commercial and industrial facilities, including film studios and sound stages.
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Chrissie Merrill
Managing Partner, Director of Film Finance
Chrissie Merrill is the founder of State Tax Incentives, and has placed more than $1.2 billion in film tax credits in the U.S., resulting in over 200 films and thousands of jobs.
Matt Thompson
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Floyd County Productions
Matt Thompson leads Floyd County Productions, one of the premiere animation studios in Atlanta. With nearly three decades of animation experience, he has been a driving force behind Emmy, Critics’ Choice, and Clio award-winning programs.
Erin Fraser
Executive Director, Savannah Regional Film Commission
Erin Fraser serves as a liaison between film companies and local municipalities, providing assistance to production companies filming in the area, and supporting local crew and businesses.
David Innes
Senior Vice President, Entertainment Division,
City National Bank
David Innes’ entertainment industry expertise includes Intellectual Property Valuation and Finance, Production Finance, Franchise Finance and customized financial planning solutions.
Ben Patel
Founder/CEO, BI Production Works
Bhugesh (Ben) Patel led Madison, GA-based BI Production Works from two sprinter vans into a multi-million-dollar company that leases vehicles and equipment to the film and entertainment industry.
Andrew Velcoff
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg
Andrew Velcoff guides a wide range of institutional and individual entertainment and media clients through their entertainment, intellectual property, licensing and media law related needs.