For many of the challenges we face, we need as much unity and coordination as possible. Your participation is vital to NATO’s success as an association. As a member of NATO, you can participate in shaping our policies and our approaches to our industry’s challenges.
Several of NATO’s active committees are open to all or most NATO members. Read more about how to get involved below.
In the future, when new committee seats or leadership positions open, NATO members will be notified of the application process.
We believe in equal opportunity and do not discriminate based on ethnicity, gender, age, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, or any other status. Our goals is to improve our overall diversity in representation in these areas, along with education, skill sets, experience, and/or company size and geographic location.
Read below for information about how to get involved.
Audit Committee
Oversees NATO’s financial reporting process, internal financial controls, and compliance with related legal and regulatory requirements. Directs an annual independent audit of the Association and its subsidiaries. Recommends best financial and corporate governance practices to the Executive Board.
Committee Chair: Dave Wright, Linway Plaza Cinemas
Number of Committee Seats: 5
Current Number of Open Seats: 0 seats, 2 year term with the option of renewing for up to three terms (a maximum of six years of service).
Time Commitment: The Audit Committee meets twice annually via Zoom – once in June to review the plans for the annual audit, and once in September to review and approve the draft audit report and audited financial statements prepared by the auditors. Other Committee business is transacted via email, including the review and approval of NATO’s annual tax return filings in October. If any significant questions or concerns arise during the audit, additional meetings would be required but, in the normal course of events, the Committee meets just twice a year. The time commitment (assuming a clean audit and no fraud concerns) is very small, just a few hours in the months of June, September and October. Members of the Audit Committee serve two-year terms, with the option of renewing for up to three terms (a maximum of six years of service).
Requirements: Audit Committee Members must be Advisory Board members. Financial expertise required, including knowledge of financial reporting (including GAAP) and internal financial controls. Some awareness of financial reporting practices used by not-for-profit organizations is a plus.
NATO Staff Liaison: Lou DiGioia
Bylaws Committee
Explores suggested alterations or interpretations of the existing NATO bylaws and makes recommendations to the Executive Board regarding proposed amendments to the bylaws.
Number of Committee Seats: 3
Current Number of Open Seats: 0 open seats
Time Commitments: The Bylaws committee meets virtually as needed, as bylaws revision suggestions arise.
Requirements: Members of the Bylaws Committee must be Advisory Board members in good standing.
NATO Staff Liaison: Jackie Brenneman
Cinema Operations Committee
Originally formed as a task force to help NATO members prepare operationally to reopen their cinemas in the U.S. and Canada with precautions in place to enhance guest/employee safety and to minimize unease as moviegoers return to the cinemas during the COVID-19 pandemic. It now exists as a permanent committee to discuss and addresses operations issues of concern for exhibitors, such as supply chain problems and security concerns.
Number of Committee Seats: 16
Current Number of Open Seats: 0 open seats
Time Commitments: The Cinema Operations Committee meets virtually once a month, as well as in-person once per year at CinemaCon. Occasionally the committee meets more often to address specific, time sensitive issues.
Requirements: Members of the Cinema Operations Committee must hold a job role with operational functions at a NATO member company in good standing.
NATO Staff Liaison: Phil Contrino
Codes & Public Access Committee
Monitors building regulations in four major code books and in the NFPA Life Safety Code and communicates relevant changes to NATO members; actively provides input to the codes and standards organizations that are in the best interest of exhibition.
Public Access Law relates to all applicable federal laws, regulations and litigation concerning non-discrimination and reasonable accommodations required to be provided by commercial facilities including, without limitation, the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 USC 12-101 and all regulations and promulgations thereunder.
Committee Chair: Don Harton, Cinemark
Current Number of Open Seats: Unlimited and open to all NATO members
Time Commitment: The Codes & Public Access Committee holds at least one in-person meeting per year at NATO’s annual governance meetings in the Fall. Frequency of virtual meetings/calls varies depending on prevalence of issues.
NATO Staff Liaison: Alex Rich
Click here to sign up for the Codes & Public Access Committee.
Committee of Counsel
Consults with and advises NATO Executive Vice President and General Counsel on legal analysis of issues impacting the exhibition industry. Helps inform NATO on direction to take on possible precedent-setting developments. This committee does not have a Chair.
Number of Committee Seats: 10
Current Number of Open Seats: 2 open seats, no term limits
Time Commitment: The Committee of Counsel holds at least one in-person meeting per year at CinemaCon. Frequency of virtual meetings/calls varies depending on prevalence of legal issues.
Requirements: Committee of Counsel members must be the top lawyer at their company.
NATO Staff Liaison: Jackie Brenneman
Click here to apply for a position on the Committee of Counsel.
Conventions Committee
Provides direction and oversight of the budgeting and program planning for the annual CinemaCon convention.
Committee Chair: Steve Zuehlke, Cinemark
Committee Vice Chair: Bob Bagby, B&B Theatres
Number of Committee Seats: 8 seats
Number of Open Seats: 0 open seats, no term limits
Time Commitments: The Conventions Committee meets in-person once per year, at NATO’s annual governance meetings. Other calls and virtual meetings are held throughout the year. Committee members should expect to commit at least 10 hours per year to the work of this committee.
Requirements: All Conventions Committee members must have attended at least two CinemaCon conventions.
NATO Staff Liaison: Mitch Neuhauser
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Aims to increase diversity within NATO’s volunteer base and in the participation at NATO events; promotes diverse and inclusive hiring within NATO member companies; and advocates for greater diversity and representation in film product.
Committee Chair: Racheal Wilson, Harkins Theatres (Term ends October 2023)
Number of Committee Seats: Unlimited and open to all NATO members
Time Commitments: This committee typically meets at least two times per year in-person, at CinemaCon and at NATO’s annual governance meetings, though the ability to attend these in-person meetings is not a requirement of committee membership. There may be occasional virtual meetings. There are opportunities to be more active within this committee by committing to specific initiatives within the committee, such as reviewing NATO’s Annual Meeting D&I scholarship applications. More extensive time commitments are required for such tasks.
Requirements: A commitment to diversity & inclusion
NATO Staff Liaison: Erin Von Hoetzendorff
Click here to sign up for the Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Government Relations Committee
Identifies, researches, and develops strategies on various legislative and regulatory policy issues important to the exhibition industry.
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- Actively participate in the work of the Committee, provide thoughtful input on policy position deliberations.
- Focus on the best interests of NATO and its members to achieve the association’s advocacy mission.
- Build a strong understanding of NATO’s advocacy goals.
- Work with the Committee Chair, Vice Chair, and staff liaison(s) to engage in development and execution of the association’s advocacy strategies at all levels of government.
Committee Chair: Bo Chambliss, Georgia Theatre Company
Vice Chair: Dan Herrle, National Amusements
Number of Committee Seats: 20 seats, no term limits
Current number of open seats: 0 open seats
Time Commitments: The Government Relations Committee meets in-person twice annually, once at CinemaCon and once at NATO’s annual governance meetings. Committee members should plan to dedicate two to three hours per month to guide NATO advocacy policymaking.
Requirements: Must be (1) an executive at a NATO member company in good standing (2) a member of the NATO Advisory Board; and (3) have an interest and knowledge of advocacy issues addressed by the NATO Government Relations Committee.
NATO Staff Liaison: Todd Halstead
Independent Theater Owners Committee (ITOC)
Provides a forum for discussion and information exchange between smaller theater owners/operators with fewer than 75 screens.
Committee Chair: Colleen Barstow, Main Street Theatres
Vice Chair: Emelyn Stuart, Stuart Cinema & Cafe
Number of Committee Seats: Unlimited and open to all NATO members working at companies with fewer than 75 screens.
NATO Staff Liaison: Phil Contrino
All ITOC notices are automatically sent to those in NATO’s database who are associated with NATO member companies with fewer than 75 screens. If you do not think you are receiving these notices, please contact Erin Von Hoetzendorff at [email protected].
International Committee
Explores issues of mutual interest to NATO’s members doing business outside of North America, working closely with exhibition and association leaders worldwide.
Committee Chair: Jane Hastings, Event Cinemas
Number of Committee Seats: Unlimited and open to all NATO members with operations outside of the United States.
Time Commitments: The NATO International Committee meets in-person twice annually, once at CinemaCon and once at NATO’s annual governance meetings, often in conjunction with The Global Cinema Federation. Occasionally this committee also meets virtually. Committee membership is not dependent on the ability to attend all of these meetings in-person.
NATO Staff Liaison: Erin Von Hoetzendorff
Each international NATO member company is automatically assigned at least one International Committee representative. If you’d like to be sure you are included on this committee, please contact Erin Von Hoetzendorff at [email protected].
Investment Committee
Meets quarterly to review NATO’s reserve portfolio and to provide guidance to NATO’s investment advisors. Periodically reviews and submits recommendations to the Executive Board regarding NATO’s investment policy, asset allocation, and investment strategies.
Chair: Dan Harkins, Harkins Theatres
Number of Committee Seats: 5
Current Number of Open Seats: 1 seat, 2 year term with the option of renewing for up to three terms (a maximum of six years of service).
Time Commitments: The Investment Committee meets quarterly via Zoom when the portfolio summary and allocation reports for the prior quarter are available. Detailed supporting materials are sent to Committee members in advance of each quarterly meeting. Reviewing the materials takes an hour or two and each quarterly meeting runs 90 minutes, for a total time commitment of a half day or so each quarter. Occasionally, the committee takes up a special project (like revising the Investment Policy), which might require a modest amount of additional time. Members of the Investment Committee serve two-year terms, with the option of renewing for up to three terms (a maximum of six years of service).
Requirements: Investment expertise required, including knowledge of investment strategy, investment instruments, portfolio construction, risk tolerance, manager selection and criteria for success.
NATO Staff Liaison: Lou DiGioia
Click here to apply for a position on the Investment Committee.
Membership Committee
Develops and recommends to the Board specific criteria and qualifications for membership, and assists with the recruitment and retention of members. The Membership Committee will be comprised of members of the Executive Board and the Advisory Board, appointed by the Executive Board in consultation with the President. The Secretary of the Association will serve as Chairman of the Membership Committee. The Membership Committee will develop and recommend to the Executive Board specific criteria and qualifications for the various classes of membership and undertake recruitment and retention efforts.
Chair: The Chair of NATO’s Membership Committee is held by the Secretary of NATO’s Executive Board. The current chair is Bo Chambliss of Georgia Theatre Company.
Vice Chair: Dean Kerasotes, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, LLC
Number of Committee Seats: 17
Current Number of Open Seats: 1 open seat
Time Commitments: NATO’s membership committee meets at least twice per year, once via Zoom in advance of CinemaCon, and once in-person at the Annual Board Meetings and Summit.
Requirements: Members of the Membership Committee must be Advisory Board members in good standing. The Membership Committee must include at least one international member and one non-profit member.
NATO Staff Liaison: Erin Von Hoetzendorff
Click here to apply for a position on the Membership Committee.
Movie Theft Task Force
Coordinates security experts from NATO’s leading exhibition companies and meets with studio representatives in our collective fight against movie theft through data and research on the impact of piracy.
Number of Committee Seats: Unlimited and open to all NATO members interested in content security. Also open to members of the MPA with roles focused on content security and protection.
Time Commitments: This committee typically meets once per year in-person at CinemaCon. Additional virtual and in-person meetings may be scheduled depending on the needs of the committee.
NATO Staff Liaison: Jackie Brenneman
Click here to sign up for the Movie Theft Task Force.
NATO Political Action Committee Board
Works within the federal election process to advance NATO’s strategic advocacy mission by increasing the movie theater industry’s political influence.
Board Member Responsibilities:
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- Provide general oversight of NATOPAC.
- Take active role in setting and meeting NATOPAC fundraising goals.
- Directly engage in NATOPAC fundraising.
- Promote NATOPAC and its important role in NATO’s advocacy mission to association members.
- Encourage political involvement among NATO members.
Number of Board Seats: 5 seats
Current Number of Open Seats: 0 open seats
Time Commitments: Less than 3 hours per month
Requirements:
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- An executive at a NATO member company in good standing.
- Active member of the Government Relations Committee and NATO Advisory Board.
- Demonstrated interest in politics and knowledge of industry advocacy issues.
- Ability to be nonpartisan and focus on a candidate’s ability to advance the movie theater industry’s advocacy strategy.
- Experience or interest in fundraising is encouraged.
NATO Staff Liaison: Todd Halstead
Ratings Compliance Officers
All Ratings Compliance Officers work to promote and administer the voluntary movie ratings system, as a useful guide for parents and as a successful deterrent to censorship.
Number of Committee Seats: Unlimited and open to all NATO members. Ideally each NATO member company has at least one Ratings Compliance Officer.
Time Commitments: Ratings Compliance Officers meet in-person at least once per year at CinemaCon. Other meetings may be held virtually as needed depending on needs of the committee.
Requirements: This committee is open to all NATO members, though those with a special interest in the ratings system are especially encouraged to participate.
NATO Staff Liaison: Erin Von Hoetzendorff
Click here to sign up to become a Ratings Compliance Officer.
Strategic Planning Committee
Periodically reviews NATO’s mission and strategic vision and provides specific guidance on priorities for the Association. Committee seats are open to Advisory Board members working in executive positions at their respective companies.
Committee Chair: Elizabeth Frank, AMC
Vice Chair: Michael Barstow, Main Street Theatres, Inc.
Number of Committee Seats: 10 seats, 2 year terms
Current number of Open Seats: 0 seats
Time Commitment: NATO’s Strategic Planning Committee holds in-person meetings at CinemaCon and the Summit as well as three to four Zoom meetings per year. Occasional email threads occur as needed.
Requirements: Members of the Strategic Planning Committee must be members of NATO’s Advisory Board and must hold a higher ranking, director-level position at a NATO member company in good standing.
NATO Staff Liaison: Phil Contrino
Technology Committee
Monitors technologies for sight, sound, accessibility and delivery for theaters. The committee gathers reports from members for upcoming changes to the technology of the theaters. Reports are made to members on status and implications of technologies so NATO members can make informed decisions.
Periodic meetings are held with content providers to discuss impact and cooperation in the delivery and presentation of content.
The NATO Technology Committee will prepare policy statements for consideration by the Executive NATO Committee on topics of importance to the exhibition industry.
Committee Chair: Matthew Basford, Regal Cinemas
Committee Vice Chair: Cynthia Pierce, AMC
Number of Committee Seats: Unlimited and open to all NATO members
Time Commitments: The NATO Technology Committee holds one in-person meeting per year at NATO’s annual governance meetings and an additional three to four virtual meetings throughout the year. Committee membership is not dependent on the ability to attend the in-person meeting or all of the virtual meetings.
NATO Staff Liaison: Erin Von Hoetzendorff
Click here to sign up for the Technology Committee.
Young Members Committee
Encourages young employees—defined for these purposes as being 40 years old and under—in our industry to feel more connected through education initiatives, social events, and surveys.
Committee Chair: Brock Bagby, B&B Theatres
Committee Vice Chair: Matthew Hoopfer, Celebration Cinema by Studio C
Number of Committee Seats: Unlimited and open to all NATO members 40 years old & under.
Time Commitments: This committee typically meets at least two times per year in-person, at CinemaCon and at NATO’s annual governance meetings. Additional virtual and in-person meetings may be scheduled depending on the needs of the committee.
NATO Staff Liaison: Erin Von Hoetzendorff
Click here to sign up for Young Members Committee.