After serving for close to 15 years as a DGA National Board Member, Unit Production Manager Cheryl Downey respectfully resigned at the National Board meeting on January 30. Downey announced to Board members that she had agreed to become the new Executive Director of the Costume Designers Guild – Local 892, and was therefore no longer eligible to serve on the DGA National Board. After congratulating Downey and wishing her well in her new endeavor, Board members present at the Los Angeles meeting selected Unit Production Manager Kim Kurumada as her replacement. Kurumada, who has served as Chair of the Western AD/UPM/TC Council for the past four years, was elected by acclamation.
I'm extremely honored," said Kurumada, "but it's bitter- sweet success for me because we're losing Cheryl Downey. She's been on the board for so many years and has been so valuable to those in the UPM category. She'll be greatly missed."
