Mark Hogan was unanimously elected president of the Illinois Production Alliance following the surprise resignation of Jeff Crabtree, who announced he had joined Gov. Quinn’s staff as a labor and union outreach spokesman. He had been elected last July.
Hogan, business manager of Local 476, has been a member of IPA’s 15-person board since 2006, co-chairs IPA’s diversity committee.
During his one-year term, Hogan states the goals he wants to accomplish are “to increase production business that insures jobs for the working men and women in the film business and to make sure our incentives are sweetened.”
The Illinois’ filmmakers tax credit has been strictly IPA’s province since 2003. It had been the sole funder of Springfield lobbyists to assure the legislature would not lose sight of the incentives’ importance to the state economy.
Crabtree, who is leaving his job as political director and lobbyist for Teamsters Joint Council 25, was new to the film industry when he assumed the Teamsters seat on the board, shortly after he had joined the Teamsters organization from the Illinois Senate.
He appointed Mike Ciaccio, political director of the Teamsters Joint Council 25, to his seat on the board.
Crabtree told the Reel: “My new portfolio will encompass a broader umbrella of labor issues beyond just those pertinent to the film community. The Illinois Film Office does a great job of telling our state’s important story to the film industry and I’m sure I will be working with them to advance our great state’s interests.”
In a letter to IPA members, he said of his successor, “Mark will be able to bring the talent and experience needed to lead the IPA in the coming year.”
IPA treasurer and long-time board member Sally Fletcher said she expected “to lose Jeff sooner or later, but not this soon. I’m thrilled for him in his new position and I feel that Mark is a good replacement.”
Diversity committee co-chair Sharon King agreed, saying “Mark is very committed to the industry and works hard for its advancement. His devotion to diversity issue also speaks volume to his commitment.”
A third generation member of Local 476 and a 33-year veteran of the film business, Hogan was elected business manager in January 2007. He had been 476 president for six years prior to his election to business manager.
In other IPA news:
The IPA, which support the concept of a Cook County film commission, wants the proposed ordinance to define specific initiatives that could help create and maintain sufficient production in Cook County to support the ongoing need for a commission and staff.
For the first time, the IPA will advertise nationally in two forthcoming issues of Variety. The first is the Oct. 23 “The Best Places to Film” issue, which ranks Chicago number four. The second ad will run in a November as part of its “Scout and About” feature.
As proposed earlier, the IPA board will now meet on a quarterly basis. The next board will convene in January.
