Leave it to the Dallas Film Society to make some summertime blockbuster news. First DFS President/CEO Lee Papert reports that Lynn McBee is turning over her role as Board Chairman to Dallas producer/ Post Asylum CEO Don Stokes.
Joining Don on the board of directors will be Jim Nugent as treasurer, Terry Schpok as secretary, Tara Lewis as assistant secretary and treasurer and board members Benton Bagot, Brad Berkley, Lauren Embrey, Clare Freeman, Mary Hatcher, John Hersker, Jennifer Houser, Ian McGloin, Ruth O. Mutch, Steve Stodghill, Mersina Stubbs and Carter Tolleson
According to Don, “I have been involved with the Dallas Film Society since its inception. It is an organization I passionately believe in and I am excited about chairing the Board. Our line-up of officers is exemplary. Each and every one of them brings an expertise to the table that can only continue to build the Film Society’s reputation at a local, national and international level.”
Next item of DFS news is the newest members of its board and what a collection it is — three guys and a gal. Sounds like a movie title.
The gal is Ellen Needham Winspear, who was previously on the board. As for the fellows, Lee said, “I am thrilled to announce that Gary Cogill, Mark Denesuk and Harry Hunsicker will all be joining the Dallas Film Society Board of Directors. Their talent, experience and vision will add a unique perspective to the Board that can only help elevate the Dallas Film Society as we enter our eighth year.”
While local movie lovers probably know all these folks, here are some brief bios for your review:
- Gary Cogill is an Emmy award-winning journalist, a three-time Katie award winner and producer at Lascaux Films. For 24 years, Cogill served as the film critic for WFAA-TV in Dallas (ABC) and sat down with the biggest names in the business including the likes of Robert DeNiro, Meryl Streep, Stephen Spielberg and Clint Eastwood. With Lascaux Films, he recently returned from Canada after wrapping principal photography on WORDS & PICTURES starring Juliette Binoche and Clive Owen.
- Mark Denesuk is the managing principal and founder of Commerce House, a boutique advertising and integrated marketing agency in Dallas. Prior to Commerce House, Denesuk spent almost 20 years working at some of the world’s largest agencies on their most prestigious accounts. His agencies included Grey, Young & Rubican, Deutsch, Ogilvy & Mather, Temerlin McClain and most recently he was an executive vice president and operating board member of McCann-Erickson New York. Active in the community, Denesuk currently serves on boards for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, the Promising Youth Alliance and the Thanksgiving Foundation.
- Harry Hunsicker is the former executive vice president of the Mystery Writers of America and the author of four novels, crime thrillers set in Texas. His fiction has been nominated for a Shamus Award by the Private Eye Writers of America and a Thriller Award by the International Thriller Writers and has appeared in The Best American Mystery Stories of 2011, D Magazine and Texas Monthly. He currently serves as chairman of the Highland Park Centennial Film Festival.
- 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.
Photos provided by the Dallas Film Society
Gcogill says
I am here to serve.