Tom Fontana Elected Writers Guild President

Television veteran Tom Fontana is the new president of the Writers Guild of America East. Members elected him to the position on Thursday. His two-year term begins immediately.

Fontana ran on a platform emphasizing wage increases and benefits. He also stressed the importance of defending free speech for writers. He takes over from outgoing president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen.

New Leadership Team and Council Members

Fontana will lead alongside two other newly elected officers. Sasha Stewart was elected secretary-treasurer without opposition. Michael Rauch was also unopposed for vice president for film, television, and streaming.

The union also filled its council seats. Six spots for film, television, and streaming were won. The new members are Nicole Conlan, Chris Gethard, Liz Hynes, Sarah Montana, Sharyn Rothstein, and Erica Saleh. Three online media seats went to Sie Morley, Nitish Pahwa, and Samantha Smylie.

Election Sees Low Voter Turnout

The election saw relatively low participation from the membership. Only 14% of eligible film and television voters cast a ballot. Participation was even lower in other sectors.

According to Reuters, the ballot count was supervised by EBallot. The new leaders will serve with council members whose terms are still ongoing. This ensures continuity in the guild’s operations.

The election solidifies a new chapter for the WGA East. Tom Fontana’s leadership will guide the union through upcoming industry negotiations. His focus on core economic issues is now the central mandate.

Info at your fingertips

Who is the new WGA East president?

Television creator and showrunner Tom Fontana is the new president. He was elected by the union’s membership on Thursday. His term lasts for two years.

Who else was elected to leadership roles?

Sasha Stewart was elected secretary-treasurer. Michael Rauch was elected vice president for film, television, and streaming. Both candidates ran unopposed for their positions.

What was the voter turnout for this election?

Voter turnout was notably low for this election. Only 14% of film and television members participated. Online media voter turnout was just 5%.

What were the key issues in Tom Fontana’s campaign?

Fontana’s campaign focused on fundamental writer concerns. He emphasized improving wages and benefits for members. He also highlighted the defense of free speech as a priority.

When does the new leadership team take over?

The new leadership team begins its term immediately. The transition occurred on Friday following the election results. They will serve for a standard two-year period.