First Vice President Retires; President of NY Production Local Elected to Position

Rudy N. Napoleone, First International Vice President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes General Executive Board, announced his retirement July 27 at the IATSE General Executive Board Meeting being held in Calgary this week.

To fill the vacancy on the IATSE General Executive Board resulting from Vice President Napoleone's retirement, the Board unanimously elected John R. Ford to fill the vacancy. Ford is President of New York's Production Local 52 and was serving the IATSE as one of its three International Trustees. Continuing past practice when a vacancy occurs on the Board, Ford became the IATSE's Thirteenth International Vice President while the remaining twelve VP's now move up to the next higher spot. "John Ford comes to the Board with trade unionism in his blood and he has been a driving force in the leadership of his local union. He will be a tremendous addition to this General Executive Board," International President Short said.

With Ford's election to VP, the vacancy in his position as International Trustee was filled by the Board's unanimous election of Thomas J. Cleary who has been serving Chicago Stage Local 2 as Secretary-Treasurer for the past six years. "Cleary is also a welcome addition as an elected official of this International Alliance. His financial background that will be an asset to his work with the other Trustees," said International President Short.

09-06