LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK (April 28, 2007)—Meeting by videoconference between New York and Los Angeles, the National Board of Directors of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists unanimously voted to elect New York-based actor and AFTRA National Second Vice President Roberta Reardon to serve as AFTRA National President to complete the remainder of the term of John Connolly, who resigned as president in March.

"This is a big job that I'm really excited about," said Reardon. "The entertainment and media industries are experiencing dynamic change that provides tremendous opportunities to organize new work for AFTRA members."

In outlining her vision for AFTRA, Reardon said, "AFTRA has a history of managing change. From radio to television, from broadcast to cable, from vinyl to downloads, from kinescope to video tape—and now to iPods, vPods, webisodes, and cell phones. The pace of change in technology is dizzying. AFTRA's mission is to be responsive to those changes. The key is to ensure that professional performers have a foot in the door in the new modes of production. Our contracts will grow as those businesses grow."

National First Vice President Bob Edwards, who had served as acting president following Connolly's resignation, advised the National Board that due to his current work commitments on two radio programs he was not in a position to meet the time commitments required of the National President at this time. Edwards will continue in his position as AFTRA First Vice President.

Reardon was nominated by former AFTRA National President and broadcaster Shelby Scott—who said that Reardon has "the fortitude to lead us in tough times"—and was seconded by Los Angeles actor Ron Morgan.

Reardon has served two terms as AFTRA New York President from June 2003 to the present. She began her career performing in daytime dramas—and has since appeared in hundreds of commercials, as well as TV voiceover work, radio commercials, industrial films, and narration. She has performed many diverse roles in New York and regional theater as well. She has taught on the faculty of The School for Film and Television and is a guest lecturer at Wagner College.

Reardon's term office runs to July 2007 when elections for National President will be held at the 70th Anniversary AFTRA National Convention in Philadelphia. 

 
                                                          ###

About AFTRA: 

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. More than 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists are moving forward together through AFTRA to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities. AFTRA members embrace change in society—from new culture to new technology—and incorporate change in their work and craft. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, dancers, singers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audio books, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet, and other digital media. Visit AFTRA at www.aftra.com.