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Updated: August 3, 2004 By: Aaron Weiler |
Home > GPP News Room 2004 > Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments
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Source: Georgia Film, Video
& Music Office
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ATLANTA, Georgia -- On August 2nd, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue presented the
members
of
the
newly established Georgia Film, Video & Music Advisory Commission at a swearing in ceremony
held at the State Capitol. Composed of 19 members, this group of business professionals
will provide the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office with advice and resource
access focused on growing Georgia’s entertainment industry. Ed
Spivia will
serve as the advisory commission chairman.
The newly appointed members of the advisory commission are:
Mike Akins, 48, Madison, GA
Film Industry Representative
Akins is a business
agent for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. He is also
the President of Economic Development through Georgia Entertainment, which strives
to re-establish Georgia as a film leader in the South. Since 1987, Akins has
been in the film industry, working on projects within the state such as In the
Heat of the Night, Driving Miss Daisy, Andersonville, and Remember the Titans.
Akins holds bachelors and masters degrees from Oklahoma State University. He
has four children.
Dallas Austin, 33, Atlanta, GA
Music Industry Representative
Austin
is a music and film producer, songwriter, and keyboardist. He produced more than
fifty hit singles and roughly twenty albums. He produced Drumline, a movie based
on his own experiences in a high school marching band. In 2003, Austin was the
music director for The Orlando Jones Show. He is the creator and sole proprietor
of a production company, a studio with three facilities, a record company, a
film company, a merchandising and marketing company, and three publishing companies.
Austin created the Dallas Austin Foundation which strives to develop the talents
and skills of urban youth. He won a Grammy in 1999, has been honored by the National
Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, and by the Independent Media Artists
of Georgia. Austin has two children.
Kay Beck, PhD., 61, Atlanta, GA
Film Industry
Representative
Beck is a film professor at Georgia State University, where
she has taught since 1972. She serves the community through the IMAGE Board,
the Women in Film Advisory Board, and as a judge for the National Golden Key
Film and Drama Competition. Beck has been appointed by four governors to the
Executive Committee of the Georgia Film Board and is involved with the Atlanta
Bureau of Cultural Affairs, and the Arts Services Advisory Panel. She was an
Olympic liaison to Brunei during the 1996 games in Atlanta, assisted with labor
relations for Japan Cable Vision, and served as an arts and education liaison
to the Mexican Consulate. Beck has been published in fifteen works, received
ten professional presentations, and numerous grants for her work. She earned
her undergraduate from the University of Alabama, a master’s degree from
American University, and a PhD from Emory University. She and her husband, Joe,
have two children.
Dana F. Braun, 53, Savannah, GA
Local Government Representative
Braun
is a partner in Callaway, Braun, Riddle, & Hughes law firm. He is a member
of the State Bar of Georgia, the Savannah Bar Association, and the Georgia Defense
Lawyers and Housing Development Law Institute. Braun is a former Alderman At
Large for Savannah. In that capacity, he created the Savannah Film Commission
of which he is now Chairman. Braun is a Trustee of the Telfair Museum of Art,
serves on the Westside Urban Health Center Board of Directors, and is a member
of the Georgia Rail Passenger Authority. He holds an undergraduate degree from
Tulane University, a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina,
and a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia. Braun and his wife, Meg, have
two children.
Ron Charles, PhD., 54, Gainesville, GA
Business Community Representative
Charles
is President of the CUBIT Foundation, former writer for Crown Financial Ministers,
and former President of FIBER Education Foundation. He organized archaeological
investigations and humanitarian efforts in seven countries, conducting research,
lectures, and diplomatic missions in many of them. He served as Deputy General
on the Board of Directors of the Biographical Centre and Historical Division
of Cambridge. Charles is affiliated with the National Teachers Association and
American Engineers Association. He holds several theological degrees from Florida
International University and Berean University, engineering technology degrees
from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and Kilgore College, and honorary
PhDs from Cambridge University and the University of Tirana. Charles and his
wife, Paula, have two children.
Dan Darling, 51, Mableton, GA
Business Community
Representative
Darling is the Senior Vice President of Entertainment Operations
for Turner Broadcasting System and a member of the company’s senior technology
and operations team. He oversaw the design and construction of Turner Studios,
the largest all-digital production facility of its kind. Turner Studio received
the Georgia Oglethorpe Award and his team received the National Technical Emmy.
Darling has also overseen the construction of the Broadcast Operations Center
and the launch of the TNT network in high definition. Darling is a recipient
of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences Governor’s
Award and the Silver Circle Award. He also serves on the Centennial Street YMCA
Board. Darling received his undergraduate degree from Ohio State University.
He and his wife, Liz, have two children.
Melissa
Goodman, 49, Marietta, GA
Film Industry Representative
Goodman is the Executive Director of the American
Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild. Prior to
her affiliation with this group, she was a talent agent in Atlanta. Goodman is
a member of the Georgia Production Partnership, the Atlanta Labor Council, and
the Sisterhood of Congregation Etz Chaim. She is also a panelist for Image Film
and Video. Goodman holds a degree in education from the State University College
of New York. She and her husband, Jeffrey, have two children.
Bart L. Graham,
43, Atlanta, GA
Department of Revenue Representative
Graham is the Commissioner
of the Department of Revenue. He brings seven years of operating experience in
information technology, commercial banking and defense contract manufacturing
industries and nearly 12 years of capital markets and corporate banking experience.
Prior to serving as Deputy Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Graham was employed
as CFO and corporate secretary of Seventh Wave Technology, Inc. He also previously
served as CFO of Bank Atlanta. During his tenure with Seventh Wave Technology
and Bank Atlanta he was also a partner with Tatum CFO Partners, LLP. Graham is
an honors graduate with an undergraduate degree and a master’s of Business
Administration from The University of Tennessee. He and his wife, Susan, have
two children.
Michael T. Gravley, II, 30, Marietta, GA
State Government Representative
Gravley
is a member of Governor Sonny Perdue’s Administration. He has worked to
help bring recognition to the historic endeavor of Emory University’s Michael
C. Carlos. Gravley has also worked diligently with members of the state’s
music and entertainment industries to help bring awareness to those in state
government of Georgia’s rich history in these industries. In 2001, he began
working with "The Golden Trailer AWARDS" in New York. Gravley previously
acted in local theater productions such as "Cast Productions" and "One
Act Series", then went on to compete at the 2001 Georgia State Theater
Competition. He has recently completed an independent documentary on the Alps
Region. Gravley received his undergraduate degree from Emmanuel College.
Shay
Bentley-Griffin, 60, Cedartown, GA
Film Industry Representative
Griffin
is the President and CEO of the Chez Group. She began as a talent agent, launching
actors from the Southeast to the national screen. Griffin has become a preeminent
casting director for the region, encouraging filmmakers to complete projects
in the Southeast, and to utilize regional talent. She has cast over 200 television
and feature film projects, including In the Heat of the Night and I’ll
Fly Away. Griffin has worked on such recent films as Sweet Home Alabama and Unchain
my Heart. She has served as Film Liaison for Georgia, promoting the state as
a prime location for filmmaking. Griffin is the President of the Georgia Production
Partnership, serves as an advisor to Women in Film Atlanta, and holds a membership
in the Women in Film Los Angeles. She is a member of the National Academy of
Television Arts & Sciences, and of the National Academy of Recording Arts
and Sciences. Griffin is a graduate of Bauder College and Clayton College. She
and her husband J.E., have two children.
Patrick Jones, 36, Atlanta, GA
Film
Industry Representative
Jones is the Executive Vice President and Executive
Producer of Journey Productions. He is a member of the IMAGE Board and a frequent
guest lecturer, workshop presenter, and panelist for independent film industry
events. Jones has produced, marketed, and distributed his own independent film,
The Journey. He is past Director of Programs for the MLK Jr. Federal Holiday
Commission. He received his undergraduate degree from Miami University and holds
a master’s degree from Duke University.
Joel Katz, 60, Atlanta, GA
Music
Industry Representative
Katz is the Co-Managing Shareholder for the Atlanta
Office of Greengerg Traurig, LLP. He is the past Chairman of the American Bar
Association’s Entertainment and Sports Law Section and represents over
fifty artists and Fortune 500 companies. Katz is the General Counsel, former
Executive Entertainment Counsel, and former Chairman of The Recording Academy.
He is a member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Board of Directors, the Advisory
Board Member for both the Atlanta Songwriters Association, and The Music Educators
National Conference. Katz serves on the Board for the T.J. Martell Foundation
for Leukemia Research and the Very Special Arts Board. He is a Georgia Music
Hall of Fame inductee. Georgia Trend named Katz one of the 100 Most Influential
Georgians. He is a graduate of the City University of New York and earned a Juris
Doctor from the University of Tennessee.
Chris Klaus, 30, Atlanta, GA
Business
Community Representative
Klaus is the CEO of Klaus Entertainment. He is
also the founder of Internet Security Systems. Klaus has testified before Congress
on several occasions, concerning cyber security. He is co-chair of the Technical
Standards and Common Criteria Task Force for the Department of Homeland Security
National Cyber Security Summit. Klaus is involved with the Metro Atlanta Chamber
of Commerce, Hands on Atlanta, and the Technology Association of Georgia. He
received his undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech. Klaus and his wife, Crissy,
have two children.
Diane Lewis, PhD., 44, Cartersville, GA
Business Community
Representative
Lewis is President and founder of Georgia nanoFAB. Previously,
she was the Director of the Advanced Technology Development Center, in Savannah.
Lewis previously worked for EM Industries and Dow Chemical Company. She is a
member of the American Chemical Society. Lewis is the Statewide Vice President
and Coastal Secretary of the Business, Education, Technology Alliance Board,
and is past Board Member for Our Lady Queen of Peace School. Lewis is Chairman
of the Skidaway Marine Science Foundation and the Operating Board Member and
Chair of Membership Committee for the Technology Association of Georgia. She
received her undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s College and a Ph.D. from
Texas A&M University. Lewis and her husband, Gregg, have three children.
Butch Parrish, 62, Swainsboro, GA
State Government Representative
Parrish
is a pharmacist and a member of the Georgia House of Representatives. He is a
member of the First United Methodist Church of Swainsboro. Parrish is a graduate
of the University of Georgia.
Mitch Seabaugh, 44, Sharpsburg, GA
State Government
Representative
Seabaugh is the State Senator for the 28th District. He
was elected Majority Whip of the Senate. He is a member of the Regulated Industries
and Utilities, Appropriations, Retirement, Rules, Public Safety and Homeland
Security, Insurance and Labor, and State and Local Government Operations Committees.
Within the community, Seabaugh served as Chairman of the Coweta County Business
License and Tax Appeal Board. He served on the Coweta County School Board Citizens’ Advisory
Council and has coached youth baseball in the Newnan and Sharpsburg youth leagues.
Seabaugh is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University. He and his wife, Leah,
have two children.
Ed Spivia, 63, Gainesville, GA
Business Community Representative
Spivia
is the President of Filmworks USA. He served as Director of the former Georgia
Department of Industry, Trade, and Tourism. In this capacity, he developed the
idea for the Georgia Film Commission, which has brought hundreds of productions
to the State of Georgia. Spivia also increased Georgia's tourism ranking
from 27th to 7th in the nation. He is a former member of the Board of the Georgia
Hospitality and Travel Association, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau,
and Chairman of Travel South USA. Spivia was named one of the top three tourism
directors in the nation and was named "Georgia Toastmaster of the Year." He
is a graduate of Young Harris College. He and his wife, Barbara, have three children.
Paula Wallace, Savannah, GA
Education Community Representative
Wallace
is President and co-founder of the Savannah College of Art and Design. She created
Design Press which offers a venue for staff and students to publish works. Wallace
has published six children’s books. She was instrumental in creating the
annual Sidewalk Arts Festival and the annual Savannah Film Festival. Wallace
organized the Art Educators’ Forum and the Rising Star program for high
school seniors. She is President of the College’s Board of Trustees and
established a second campus at Lacoste, France in 2002. Wallace has been named
an Outstanding Young Woman of America, Who’s Who of American Women, and
Employer of the Year by the Oglethorpe Business and Professional Women. She is
a recipient of the James T. Deason Human Relations Award and the W.W. Law Legacy
Award. Wallace received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Gonzaga University. She
received her undergraduate degree from Furman University and master’s degree
from Georgia State University. She and her husband, Glenn, have three children.
Harriette Watkins, 55, Atlanta, GA
Board of Economic Development Representative
Watkins
is Vice President of Community Affairs for AGL Resources. Prior to this, she
worked with Georgia Power for twenty years. Watkins is the past Chairman of the
Atlanta Business League Board of Directors and is the Leadership Chairman for
Leadership Atlanta. She serves on the Boards of the Atlanta Partners in Education,
the Regional Leadership Foundation, and the South Fulton Partnership for Tomorrow.
Watkins is on the Peachtree National Bank Board of Directors and is a member
of the Trustee Board for the Cascade United Methodist Church. She was featured
as one of Atlanta’s 100 Most Influential Women by the Women Looking Ahead Magazine and Smart Money. Watkins and her husband, Fred, have two children.
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