AFTRA Welcomes New Chicago Local Executive Director

Posted March 15, 2010

LOS ANGELES AND CHICAGO (March 15, 2010) — The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA, AFL-CIO) a national union of more than 70,000 performers, journalists, broadcasters, recording artists and other talent working in the entertainment and news media, announced today that Eric Chaudron has been hired as the new Executive Director of the AFTRA Chicago Local.

Chaudron will assume his new post on April 5 and will oversee the daily operations of the AFTRA Chicago Local office and staff, as well as the Screen Actors Guild’s Chicago Branch operations. He will be responsible for overseeing administration of all national contracts for television and radio programming, sound recordings, commercials, non-broadcast/industrial and new media productions produced in Chicago and Illinois state and will serve as chief negotiator for all AFTRA Local union contracts, including local broadcast station contracts.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Eric to the AFTRA staff in Chicago where he will be a strong advocate for professional performers, recording artists and broadcast journalists working in the State of Illinois,” said AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth. “His background in the labor movement and his experience in matters of law and contract negotiations are impressive. Eric's understanding of the concerns and aspirations of AFTRA members working in the media industries distinguishes him as an ideal successor.”

“I am thrilled to be joining AFTRA during such an exciting and challenging time,” said Chaudron. “AFTRA is a vibrant union with a long history and a seemingly unlimited future. Eileen Willenborg and her team have done an outstanding job for AFTRA members in Chicago. She leaves a strong foundation and I look forward to building on that success.”

Chaudron previously served as an Employment and Government Agency Practice attorney with Canelo, Wilson, Wallace & Padron in Merced, Calif., where he handled all aspects of litigation and supervised all legal, governmental and public relations issues on behalf of a homeowner’s association. Experienced in regulatory practice, including labor and employment advocacy for employees, Chaudron also coordinated and carried out client development initiatives on behalf of the firm, including club memberships, public service and pro bono work in the community.

Since 2006, Chaudron has worked as an Adjunct Professor of Political Science and Business at Merced College in Merced, Calif., where he as has been teaching classes in constitutional law, labor and employment.

Prior to his employment at Canelo Wilson, Chaudron served as a civil litigation and government relations attorney at Mackenroth, Ryan & Fong in Sacramento, and before that, as Executive Director of the California Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET). He was formerly Director of Organizing/Representative for the Motion Pictures Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700) in Hollywood and a Field Representative for the Central Labor Council of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

Chaudron will succeed longtime AFTRA Chicago Local Executive Director Eileen Willenborg, who is retiring this year after 15 years of service to AFTRA members in Chicago.

“It has been my profound honor to serve our AFTRA and SAG members in Chicago as their Executive Director since 1995,” said Willenborg. “While I am stepping down from my position, I will continue to work part-time with Eric and the unions’ elected leaders during the transition in staff leadership. Eric is a talented, energetic attorney who is committed to the labor movement and to addressing the issues that will shape working members’ careers in the future, particularly the impact of digital media and new delivery platforms on their work and earnings potential.”

About AFTRA
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, singers, dancers, 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. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at www.aftra.com.

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