Rebecca Damon has been appointed SAG-AFTRA’s New York president, replacing the late Mike Hodge in the post.
Damon has been acting president of the union’s second-largest local since Hodge died on Sept. 9. The New York Local Board unanimously approved Damon’s appointment, which was announced Tuesday by SAG-AFTRA. Hodge was elected to serve a two-year term on Aug. 24.
Damon was also re-elected over Matthew Modine on Oct. 6 as executive vice president, the union’s second-highest office, at its biennial convention.
Damon was part of the successful efforts to merge SAG with AFTRA in 2012, which brought in broadcasters and recording artists into what had been an actors union. SAG-AFTRA has about 160,000 members.
Damon has credits on “The Guiding Light,” “As the World Turns,” and “One Life to Live” in addition to working as a voiceover performer. She is a SAG-AFTRA National Board member and chair of the national Government Review Committee and Move NY Committee. She is a recipient of the Irish Echo Connecting America Award and SAG-AFTRA New York’s Joseph C. Riley Award.
“I served alongside Mike Hodge from the moment I became a board member,” she said. “He was a dear friend, a cherished mentor and a stellar leader. Being selected by the board to serve as New York President in the wake of his passing is more than an honor; it’s a tremendous responsibility. Mike’s legacy of protecting and fighting for New York members will guide me as I take on this important work.”
Said SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris said, “I congratulate Rebecca Damon on her appointment as New York President. Her deep commitment to the membership and her dedication to the union are hallmarks of her leadership. I have no doubt she will continue to expand on that extraordinary service in this new role.”
