More announcements are pouring in as June closes down. The latest is the Dallas Film Society‘s new board of directors. According to DFS board chair Lynn McBee, “The talent, knowledge and experience that each of these six individuals has to offer the Dallas Film Society is far-reaching. Combining their skill sets with those of the incumbent members of the Board gives us such a strong foundation for the future. As we enter into year six, this group of people can strategically take the national and international reputation of the Film Society to the next level.”
You’ve waited long enough. The new members are:
- John Hersker has spent a lifetime in the film business, with backgrounds in both theatrical exhibition and motion picture distribution. A 26-year career with Paramount Pictures culminated in the position of Executive Vice President for Theatrical Distribution in Hollywood. He 2006, he returned to Dallas as COO of Copper Beech Capital, LLC and went on to become the President and CEO of Movie Tavern, Inc.
- Jennifer Houser is a Dallas leading philanthropist, arts advocate and volunteer having dedicated her time extensively to the Leukemia and Lymphona Society as well as serving on the Board of Directors of numerous organizations such as TACA, The Dallas Theater Center and Second Thought Theatre. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Dallas Opera and The President’s Advisory Council at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
- Jim Nugent began his career in public accounting and now serves as the Director of Administration for the law firm Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP. A devoted advocate of the arts, Nugent sits on the Board of Directors of the Video Association of Dallas and formerly served on the Board of the USA Film Festival, Undermain Theatre and TACA.
- Tristan Simon left sports management in 1997 to join Steve Hartnett and Gene Street in the development of the upscale steakhouse and bar, Cool River Café. As Managing General Partner, Simon led Cool River Café to become the highest grossing restaurant in Texas. In 1999, Simon founded Consilient Restaurants in Dallas and it has since become one of the leading consortiums of upscale restaurants in America. Most recently, he has joined with entrepreneurs Tom Stephenson and Brian Mason in founding Look Entertainment, developing and operating luxury theater-restaurant complexes in multiple markets throughout the U.S and Canada.
- Mersina Stubbs is the principal of Mersina Stubbs Interiors and is highly respected for her work on the Board of Directors of the St. Paul Medical Foundation, Crystal Charity Ball and the Child & Family Guidance Centers. Previously she was involved on the Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs and Ronald McDonald House.
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Ellen Needham Winspear started her career in the fashion industry before obtaining her graduate degree in Academic Language Therapy from SMU. She taught at her own private practice, the Oak Hill Academy and The Shelton School with her experience leading her to become involved in the Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT). Winspear is renowned for her community involvement. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development at SMU. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Dallas Zoo, is a Trustee of the Dallas Opera and serves on the Advisory Council of the Dallas Theater Center.