Jay Roth
After two
decades leading the guild, Jay Roth, the national executive
director of the Director's Guild of America (DGA) is retiring.
Roth
said he’ll be stepping down later this spring. A succession plan will
be announced in February 2017, following the next DGA national board
meeting.
“The DGA has
been, and continues to be, a tremendous part of my life,” he said. “I joined
not only because it is a top-notch organization with proud traditions and solid
governance, but also because its membership and staff had an established
culture of rowing the boat the same way, and an understanding of who leads and
makes policy – and who advises and executes. I’m proud of what we’ve all
accomplished together to build the guild and advance our mission of protecting
the creative and economic rights of our members – every single new contract,
compensation increase, residual, creative right and expansion of jurisdiction
that has allowed our members the freedom and security to create the best motion
pictures in the world. I’d especially like to recognize the presidents whom
I’ve worked alongside, and our national board, because none of this would be
possible without great leadership and an engaged membership. I’m also proud of
the next generation staff we’ve built from the ground up. With a strong
foundation in place, they’re well-positioned to meet the challenges of tomorrow
on behalf of our members. I look forward to the next chapter of my work with
the Guild – and to the new milestones that will be achieved by the DGA and its
members.”
DGA President
Paris Barclay had nothing but good things to say about Roth.
“Jay’s entire
professional career has been dedicated to representing people and helping
to make their lives better – early on as a civil rights and labor lawyer,
and for more than three decades, as an essential part of the DGA’s life as its
greatest adviser, defender and coach,” said Barclay. “Over a year ago, Jay
began a conversation with the Guild about a plan to retire from his role as
national executive director. At the request of our National Board, he agreed to
continue in his position through the negotiations of our recently announced
contract – a decision for which we honor Jay, and which reflects his genuine,
unwavering dedication and loyalty to the DGA and its members. With negotiations
now behind us, Jay will move forward with his planned retirement from his role
as national executive director later this spring. But we couldn’t let him go
completely. To our great fortune, at that time, he will transition to a role
with us as senior adviser.”
Roth will be
the recipient of the DGA Presidents Award for his leadership at the DGA Awards
on February 4. He is being recognized for his extraordinary efforts in
enhancing the welfare and image of the guild and the industry. The award is
bestowed only by a unanimous vote of the sitting and former DGA Presidents.
Roth is only the fourth recipient of the DGA Presidents Award, first given in
1998 to former DGA president George Sidney, and then in 2001 and 2005 to former
Presidents Robert Wise and Gil Cates. In 2008, the DGA recognized him with the
DGA Honorary Life Member Award.
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