Jay D. Roth, national executive director of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), announced that Frank Bennett Gonzalez will take on an expanded role in overseeing the Guild’s diversity efforts.
“Frank’s commitment to increasing diversity in DGA-covered categories has been a valuable asset to our Guild,” said Roth. “And that benefit will continue to grow as he steps into this expanded role designed to strengthen the diversity programs and resources available to our membership.”
As executive in charge of Diversity Programs and Committees, Gonzalez will manage the DGA’s expanded diversity programs including the DGA Director Development Initiative–a networking and educational program launched in January–which prepares members for opportunities to further their television directing careers; as well as an upcoming director mentorship program. He will also continue to coordinate the DGA’s diversity strategy in concert with the Guild’s Diversity Task Force and committees. Gonzalez reports to Bryan Unger, associate national executive director.
Prior to joining the DGA in 2014, Gonzalez worked for more than 13 years on diversity initiatives for the Disney/ABC Television Group, most recently serving as director of creative talent development, where he spearheaded and expanded keystone creative initiatives and talent development programs such as the Disney/ABC Writing Program and the Disney/ABC-DGA Directing Program. In that position, Gonzalez also worked closely with the entertainment guilds and built strong relationships with community arts organizations. Gonzalez earned an MFA from the UCLA School of Film & Television Producers Program and a B.A. in Film Studies from UC Irvine.
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More