Mark DeMichele, SAG Arizona Branch President

Mark DeMichele has long believed in the concept of a single union covering all performers. He was elected Arizona President of SAG in 2009. His previous service to the Arizona acting community includes: SAG VP Northern Arizona from 2004-2009; SAG Arizona Board Member-at-Large from 1997-2004; and two terms as member-at-large for the Phoenix/Tucson Actors Equity Liaison Committee 1993-1998 and 2000-2005. Mark has also been active in promoting and securing union employment from Arizona theatrical and media producers for more than 20 years.

Steve Fried, SAG Arizona National Board Representative

I started doing stage while in the military and continued upon arrival in the Phoenix area now having appeared in over 30 productions. That led to being cast in varied TV commercials, industrial films, and a few movie character roles. I joined Screen Actors Guild in 1983. Local elected office in 1987 led to 7 years as SAG Arizona Branch President (1990-1997). Elected in 1995 as the SAG Arizona Branch National Board Representative, and I continue in that capacity. Additionally, from 2003 to 2008 I served as the Guild’s 3rd National Vice President, helping to mold the 20 regional Branches into a cohesive Division. National committee service included (among others) National Legislative Committee; Guild Governance Review Committee; Finance Committee; and National Executive Committee - allowing me to gain insight into all areas of Guild operation. I conceived the now adopted Guild National Classification Policy.

The most critical challenge before us is to merge AFTRA and SAG! The ultimate goal is that all performers be under one union…Equity and others too! Rebuilding SAG alliances to achieve that end is the only path to making gains needed in our industry. Varied backgrounds and experiences enables an appreciation for planning to tackle the changing markets. The key to improving the wages and working conditions in the multiple Guild contracts is a powerful entertainment industry alliance. Merging AFTRA and SAG is doable. Let’s work to get it done sooner than later! (READ MORE HERE)

Betsy Beard, SAG Arizona Executive Vice-President

Serving the Arizona SAG membership has been an honor for me and an opportunity to learn and practice skills of collaboration and communication. I have been your Executive VP since 2006, and a board member since 2002, working in the trenches of SAG government to help fulfill government requirements of our union. I have served on several national committees including the Women’s, Seniors, and LGBT committees. I have observed first-hand, and have been really impressed by the potent, creative programs that these national committees are instituting to increase visibility of formerly ‘invisible’ populations. At Plenary, I was privileged to begin to get to know Board members from the Regional Branch Division and learned from them the great grassroots traditions of our union.