Eastern Councilor At-Large

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On council:

National Organizing Committee - Chair

Florida Theme Park Committee- Chair

Guest Artist/Special Appearance - 3rd Vice Chair

Executive Director Search Committee* - 4th Vice Chair

*Team Recommended Al Vincent Jr. 

This year marks my twentieth year as a member of Actors’ Equity Association

I’ve always been proud to be a member, but I never fully realized the importance of union representation until AEA quite literally saved my life. For a large portion of my career I struggled with alcohol abuse. It was my union that saved my career and ultimately my life when they represented me during my darkest moments. The Union’s dedication to me and my personal well being inspired my commitment to union service on the national council. 

I’ve worked in regional theatre from coast to coast working a wide variety of contracts. In 2015 I was hired to work at Walt Disney World, where I eventually put down my roots. Most folks don’t know this, but WDW is Equity’s fourth largest earnings driver behind Production, Touring, LORT and Off-Broadway. We would never imagine having a National Council without representation from these contracts - but Walt Disney World *never* had representation until I was elected in 2020.

In 2020, my first order of business was to pen the “Walt Disney World Resolution”- which passed unanimously at the 2021 Convention. It reminded the union that our community and our contract is completely unique compared to the rest of the industry. Theme park workers deserve to be consulted before council votes to accept or deny any binding offers or agreements, or before deploying public relations campaigns on our behalf. Disney workers wanted a voice within their union… this was step one. 

In 2022, I was nominated to chair the Florida Theme Park Committee. Shortly after, I chaired the 2022-2027 Walt Disney World contract negotiation where we brought the entire Disney community together to achieve monumental gains in salary - 49.8% to Chorus and 42.5% to the Principal/Chorus Stepping contract over five years. It was ratified by 100% of the members working the agreement.

100% ratification happens when members feel heard, seen and valued. We’ve been carefully rebuilding member trust and activation around the parks. This work has also expanded my goals towards organizing new members. The end of October I accepted the nomination to chair the National Organizing Committee. We’re looking forward to creating a fresh perspective on how this organization prioritizes its targets, supports campaigns, and how we instill the value and power of organized labor. 

Lastly, I’ve been working closely with the new campaign to unionize the character and parade departments at Disneyland, supporting almost 1700 potential new members. We’re at a pivotal moment in this campaign, and it’s vital these workers have a councilor who has experience negotiating with The Walt Disney Company. 

I would be honored to receive your vote so I may continue this work on behalf of you and our potential union siblings across the country. 

Solidarity Forever.