SAG-AFTRA Announces Gabrielle Carteris Elected
Executive Vice President at National Convention
Los Angeles (Sept. 26, 2013)—SAG-AFTRA today announced that Gabrielle Carteris has been elected as executive vice president of the union. Carteris was elected to the two-year term at the inaugural SAG-AFTRA Convention in Los Angeles. Her term begins immediately.
A total of 303 ballots were cast in the election that consisted of three candidates. Carteris received 66.5 percent of the vote, Mike Hodge received 23.22 percent, Jane Austin received 10.28 percent. Millie Wright was also a candidate. 
Said Carteris, “I am so grateful to be elected executive vice president and I look forward to building on the merged union that we created, being one and fighting the good fight. I’m really honored.”
Carteris became a household name when she landed the role of Andrea Zuckerman on the Aaron Spelling program Beverly Hills, 90210. A show with a shaky beginning, 90210 ended up being one of the longest running one-hour series in television history as well as being viewed in over 100 countries. The success of the show allowed Carteris to get involved with many great organizations, including D.A.R.E., Noxzema Extraordinary Teen program, M.A.D.D. and “Read to Grow.”
Carteris has also worked as a producer, creating a series of specials called Lifestories, which led to her producing and hosting her own talk show for Fox, Gabrielle. Recent credits include guest starring roles on Criminal Minds, Make It or Break It, The Event, and the recent holiday television movie, 12 Christmas Wishes.
Carteris previously served as National Vice President, Los Angeles and on the National Boards of both AFTRA and SAG.
A full list of elected local and member category vice presidents will be announced later today.
For tabulation results click here.
The inaugural SAG-AFTRA National Convention kicked off Thursday, Sept. 26 with a welcome by newly elected National President Ken Howard and a rousing keynote speech by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.
“What we have created today is an overwhelming and moving tribute to the power of this union to improve the lives of its members all across the country,” Howard said in his opening address. “When we work together, we are a powerful voice. When we work together, we are proud and strong. When we work together, we are an unstoppable force that diligently and selflessly works to empower and strengthen the union and our fellow members… We are taking the first, early steps on a remarkable journey. There will only ever be one first SAG-AFTRA convention.”Trumka congratulated the union on its progress since SAG and AFTRA became one on March 30, 2012, saying, “One of the major goals across our labor movement is strengthening the power of unions. And I have no doubt that the merger of SAG and AFTRA has built a much, much stronger union. It's a victory for your combined membership… Labor makes possible the joy and wonder that I feel and all of us in the viewing public feel when we’re transported by the magic that you do.”
Inaugural SAG-AFTRA Convention Elects Officers, Hosts AFL-CIO President Trumka
Los Angeles (Sept. 26, 2013) — AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka kicked off the first day of SAG-AFTRA’s national convention today, setting the stage for the entertainment and media union’s most important governance event since merger.
SAG-AFTRA National President Ken Howard officially opened the convention. “What we have created today is an overwhelming and moving tribute to the power of this union to improve the lives of its members all across the country,” he said. “When we work together, we are a powerful voice. When we work together, we are proud and strong. When we work together, we are an unstoppable force that diligently and selflessly works to empower and strengthen the union and our fellow members. We are taking the first, early steps on a remarkable journey. There will only ever be one first SAG-AFTRA convention.”
Trumka congratulated the union on its progress since SAG and AFTRA became one on March 30, 2012, saying, “One of the major goals across our labor movement is strengthening the power of unions. And I have no doubt that the merger of SAG and AFTRA has built a much, much stronger union. It's a victory for your combined membership. Labor makes possible the joy and wonder that I feel - and all of us in the viewing public feel - when we’re transported by the magic that you do.”
In the afternoon, delegates nominated and elected the union’s eight national vice presidents, including the executive vice president. The elections were a major milestone for the new union, which for the first time has a full team of elected leaders.
Gabrielle Carteris was elected as executive vice president.
The following are the results of the election of vice presidents. Candidates who ran unopposed are indicated by an asterisk. Each position is for two years.
Clyde Kusatsu* National Vice President, Los Angeles
Mike Hodge National Vice President, New York
Ilyssa Fradin National Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals
David Hartley-Margolin National Vice President, Small Locals
Robert Newman National Vice President, Actors/Performers
Catherine Brown* National Vice President, Broadcasters
Dan Navarro* National Vice President, Recording Artists
For National Vice President, New York Tabulation Results, click here
For National Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals, click here
For National Vice President, Small Locals Tabulation Results, click here
For National Vice President, Actors/Performers Tabulation Results, click here
Tomorrow, SAG-AFTRA presents an entertainment industry plenary session featuring experts from BuzzFeed, Spotify, ICM, BreakMedia and Somo Mobile Ltd. Other convention business will include a constitutional amendment and resolution session, breakout panels and workshops; and a special presentation on “Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Diversity in the Industry: The Study.” In the evening, the union will host the Convention Celebration and American Scene Awards.
Day 1 of the SAG-AFTRA National Convention included an Information and Resource Expo at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. The expo featured exhibitions by committees, departments and resources and programs available to SAG-AFTRA members in all categories. Convention delegates, staff and guests mingled and networked in the expo hall learning about the many resources, benefits and protections available to union members.
The expo continues on Friday and Saturday with many partner organizations, including SAG-Producers Pension and Health and the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds; AFTRA-SAG Federal Credit Union; and the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Right Distribution Fund. The Expo will also feature our many Convention Partners including, Actors Fund, ACTRA, American Income Life Insurance, Audio Publishers Association, COP Communications, Inc., Group Benefits Associates, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Motion Picture Television Fund, National Labor College, SoundExchange, Ullico and Union Plus.
