SAG names Frank CFO!

Posted: Thurs., Jan. 8, 2004, 4:29pm PT

Org taps studio vet chief financial officer

By CLAUDE BRODESSER Variety Magazine

The Screen Actors Guild has hired Peter C. Frank as deputy national executive director for administration and chief financial officer. He reports directly to executive director and chief exec A. Robert Pisano.

The guild had been without a CFO since November, when Francesca Hickson departed the union after a two-year stint, saying the “infighting, politics and personal agendas” of SAG’s national board had made her stay intolerable.

A vet of studios and technology companies, Frank will be responsible for the guild’s financial, accounting and treasury functions as well as all administration, including human resources and member records. He will also develop financial forecasts and investment strategies. Building on improved financial systems implemented at SAG last year, Frank will continue enhancing the guild’s fiscal operations and streamlining systems and processes.

Pisano called Frank “an outstanding addition to our management team” and praised his “impressive financial expertise and credentials, especially his experience in both the entertainment and technology areas.”

“My goal,” Frank said, “is to make Screen Actors Guild the strongest and most efficient organization possible.”

Frank was most recently the chief financial officer at EnCompass Knowledge Systems, a privately held software company in Los Angeles. Frank was one of the architects of the company’s new business model and led efforts to raise investment capital. Prior to EnCompass, Frank was the CFO at Web-based people locator USSearch.com.

Frank also possesses extensive entertainment industry experience, serving as chief financial officer at Gramercy Pictures from 1996-99; as VP, finance and administration, at 20th Century Fox from 1994-96; and as head of corporate advisory at Fox Inc. from 1989-94. Frank has also held seats on the boards of directors of several new-media and technology companies.

—-

We here at the Ol’ SAG Watchdog want to welcome Mr. Frank aboard and wish him luck in making the “Screen Actors Guild the strongest and most efficient organization possible.” We will continue our effort to make it the most democratic possible. Hey, strong, efficient and democratic now there’s a nice combination.