Please upgrade your flash player to Flash 8 .
No Upcoming Events Found!
Board of Directors
The PERA Board Of Directors are appointed or elected on a rotating chair basis and are here to serve the needs of the PERA community. Do not hesitate to contact any PERA director for any reason. PERA Board members serve for a term of 2 years and must be the principle or designated alternate from a Rental Company who has been a member of PERA for a minimum of two years. Rental Company members are permitted to vote only in accordance to the By-Laws of the corporation.
Pat Patin PERA President
Houston, TX / 800-735-2774 / pat@texcam.com
Pat Patin is currently co-owner and Vice President of Texcam Inc., located in Houston, Texas. Pat is a dedicated family man with a wife and two children. He started in the business as a camera assistant in 1984. Pat went to work for Texcam in 1985 as a prep tech. He took on more responsibilities as the company grew, and currently runs the day-to-day operations at Texcam. Pat brings to the PERA Board over 23 years of the 'ins and outs' of the rental business. He is eager to work with the PERA Board, and the PERA members to continue the success and the growth of the Association.
Mark Beasley PERA Vice President and Treasurer Chair, Marketing Committee
Dallas, TX / 214-630-1655 / mark@mpsfilm.com
Mark Beasley is President of MPS Studios in Dallas, TX. Mark has a long history with the film industry in Dallas, working with pioneer companies like Jamieson Film Company, Century Studios and Bill Stokes Associates. Mark worked as a camera assistant for Stokes until the mid seventies. He then served in the army for two years. Upon his return he continued as a freelance camera assistant. He started Mobile Production Services, Inc. in 1979 with a van and some grip equipment. Today, MPS Studios can fulfill any requirement for location or studio production, including full-service sound studios and a wide range of professional equipment and trucks. Visit www.mpsfilm.com or call 214 630 1655. In 2003 the Local 600 IATSE honored Mark in recognition of his many years of outstanding and devoted service given to the Guild. Mark currently serves as treasurer for the Dallas Producers Association. He also serves as a member of the Department of Radio, Television and Film IndustryÂ’s Advisory Board at the University of North Texas.
J.R. Reid PERA Vice President Grip & Lighting
Las Vegas / 702-649-5555 / jreid@jrlighting.com
James "JR" Reid believes that PERA is the most important, single source of specialized legal, safety and networking information for Production Rental companies. JR graduated with B.A. in Theatre Arts, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo. 1974. He worked his way up from Stage Electrician to Head Electric and Lighting Designer. He then found his true calling, lighting for Film. He started as a lamp operator, moved up to Best Boy Electric and ultimately to Gaffer. JR is an expert in all fixed Theatrical and Film lighting instruments, power and power distribution. During most of his career, he wrote the equipment orders and worked with the Rental Houses, often pulling shows and loading trucks with his crew. When he started JR Lighting, Inc. in 1991, JR knew what kind of business he was getting into, and what his company was going to do: provide extreme service and fanatically maintained equipment. Today JR lighting has grown to be the largest provider of Film and Television production equipment and supplies in Nevada. JR also teaches a challenging course at UNLV and the Clark County Community College. His company offers paid internships for students who have the potential to become Film Technicians. JR Lighting is very active in the Local Film Community Network, which allows the interns entry into the growing local crew base.
Lee Utterbach PERA Vice President, Camera Equipment Chair, Insurance Committee
San Francisco, CA / 415-553-7700 / lee@lucamera.com
Lee Utterbach Camera. In the San Francisco camera rental business since 1980, Lee's prior experience includes former positions of President of the San Francisco Bay Area Film and Tape Council, Director of the San Francisco Film Coalition, and member of the Local 600 Camera Union. A more extensive biography of Lee's career is forthcoming.
Mark Tye PERA Secretary
PERA Board Member
Nashville, TN / 000-000-0000 / marktye@bellsouth.net
Mark Tye is the founder and president of Citation Support, Inc. of Nashville, Tennessee. Established in 1980, Citation was born out of necessity as there was a lack of professional motion picture and video production support equipment available for Mark to apply his trade as a Gaffer and Lighting Director in the mid south. With 30 years experience in managing a Grip, Lighting and Electrical Rental House, Mark has an intimate knowledge of the issues that face our industry. As a founding and continuing member of the Nashville Film /Video Association, now Film Nashville, Mark recognizes the value of camaraderie and networking that an association can foster. It is with this in mind that Mark firmly believes PERA is the catalyst for building stronger relationships among its members, vendors and customers.
Greg Meyers PERA Parliamentarian
Vice President, Parlimentarian Procedure
Minneapolis, MN & Des Moines, IA / 800-809-9080 / gmeyers@cinequipt.com
Greg fell into the lighting and grip part of the Production Equipment industry in 1982 when he stared working for a company called Lighthouse after brief careers in radio and music. In 2002, Cinequipt purchased his former company and the journey began with them. He keeps thinking that he'll have to get a real job someday. Cinequipt was one of the 42 founding members of PERA. Greg was fortunate to have sat in on some of the meetings as PERA was founded, knowing that organizations like this could have value to companies in smaller markets like theirs, too. He has been an AICP/Minnesota board member from 1999 to 2004 and also served on PERAÂ’s board in 2001-2002, and again since 2004.
John Johnston, Executive Director, PERA
New York, NY / 585-259-9283 / jj@peraonline.org
John Johnston (JJ) comes to PERA after a 33 year career in motion pictures at Kodak, with positions in sales, marketing and management in Hollywood, Atlanta, Dallas, Rochester and New York City. His experience covers product marketing, sales force management, worldwide strategic planning and corporate training. JJ has been an active supporter of industry organizations including the Association of Independent Commercial Producers, The New York Production Alliance, NY Women in Film and Television, and The Advertising Club of New York. He is also an associate Member of the American Society of Cinematographers and a consultant to Jon FauerÂ’s Film and Digital Times Industry Newsletter. Johnston brings an acquired sense of the industry and the needs of cinematographers, a knowledge of the technologies that serve these customers, and a passion for excellence in customer service and satisfaction. In 2007, JJ retired from Kodak but not the industry. Personal interests include travel, photography, cinematography, boating, the history and redevelopment of the Erie Canal and anything that involves a beach. He serves on the board of Corn Hill Navigation and holds a United States Coast Guard Master Captain License. JJ first fell in love with film when he got a job at Kodak and got all his film for free. He fell in love with movies when Kodak assigned him to work in Hollywood. He is looking forward to the same experience with his service to PERA.
Mal Connett PERA Board Member
Cincinnati, OH / 000-000-0000 / mal@thecameradept.com
Mal Connett, co-owner of The Camera Department, has been providing Motion Picture equipment to the Midwest for over 12 years. Working as Rental Manager at HDI until the company came under new ownership, Mal and Ben Yee left and teamed up with Film Video Equipment Service Company to open their Cincinnati location. In 2002 Mal and Ben purchased the location and officially started The Camera Department. Together with loyal clients, excellent service, and a constant investment in equipment, training, and the production community, The Camera Department continues to be one of the Midwest's leading providers of Cameras, lenses, and support equipment.
James Pope PERA Board Member
Chicago, IL / 000-000-0000 / james@schumachercamera.com
James Pope, Co-Owner of Schumacher Camera has over eighteen (18) years of experience in the industry. He spent the last ten years at Schumacher as General Manager and Business Manager. The previous eight years he worked as UPM and Producer in the Midwest. In April of 2006, he and Mike Acuna purchased the company from co-founder Carole Schumacher. Today Schumacher Camera continues to be the leading provider of camera systems to clients throughout the Midwest.
Gary Van Fleet PERA Board Member
Woodland Hills, CA / 818-884-7000 / Gary.van.Fleet@dalsa.com
Gary Van Fleet has 30 plus years in the Film & Television industry; starting out as a Production Assistant in 1976 and continuing as a freelance Property Master and Producer on Feature Films, TV Commercials and Music Videos. In 1995 Gary shifted his career to motion picture equipment rentals, and has overseen hundreds of equipment packages for studio feature films and network television projects including the most recent episodes of “Star Wars” and the TV series “Reba”. Gary is currently working with the team at DALSA Digital Cinema, a full service rental facility located in Woodland Hills, California. At DALSA, Gary provides top of the line products, services and the best customer care in the industry. DALSA supports a range of productions, from commercials and music videos, to independent and major motion pictures. DALSA is the only complete 4K and HD rental facility in North America, and is the exclusive provider of the DALSA Origin II 4K camera and 4K lens system. Visit www.dalsa.com/dc or call (818) 884-7000.
Russ Walker PERA Board Member Emeritus
Los Angeles, CA / 323-436-3611 / walkerruss@us.panasonic.com
Russ Walker is currently the Director of Business Development, Production Markets for Panasonic Broadcast and Television Systems Company. With 25 years of industry experience, Russ has been instrumental in the launch of High Definition Products at Panasonic since their introduction at Panasonic in 1997. Prior to RussÂ’s eleven years with Panasonic Russ was the President of Hoffman Video Systems, a Los Angeles based systems integrator for eleven years and prior to Hoffman Video Systems, Russ was the Western Regional Manager for Sony Professional Video Systems. Russ has been instrumental in Panasonic’s launch of D5HD, DVCPRO HD and P2 HD starting with the Varicam and currently involved with the launch of PanasonicÂ’s new HPX3000 P2 1080/p camera. Panasonic has been a Sustaining member of PERA for more than 7 years and Russ has been elected to its Board as Sustaining Board member
Diane Woods PERA Board Member
Toronto, ON, Canada / 416-778-8661 / dianew@djwoods.ca
Diane has devoted the last 12 years to the film, television and video industry as Vice President of DJ Woods Video Rentals and as Executive Producer of an independent production company, aquaCulture Pictures Inc. Diane's background is in business with a degree in Business Administration and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). She is also on the executive board of the Cove Island Lighthouse Project overseeing the restoration of a magnificent 1858 Imperial tower lighthouse. Diane is an avid golfer, scuba diver and kayak enthusiast and is serving her second two-year term on the PERA Board of Directors.
We are thankful for the dedication and service of our former PERA Board Members and officers
Kay Baker, served as Board Member from 2005 to 2006 and President from 2006 to 2008.
Pete Abel, President of Abel Cine Tech, Inc., served as Board Member from 2004 to 2006.
Archie Fletcher, Fletcher Chicago served as President, Treasurer and Board member from 1994-97, and from 2004 to 2006.
Debby Miller, Midtown Video, Miami, FL, served as the Vice President of PERA from 1995-96 and from 2002-2004 and Secretary from 2001-02
Bob Zahn, BVR, New York, NY, Chair Metadata Committee, served as the Vice President of PERA 1998-99 and Secretary from 2002-2004
Marc Stephens, Dallas, formerly of MLD Equipment, Served as PERA Treasurer 2002-03
Tom Fletcher, Fletcher Chicago, Served as PERA Vice President 2001-02
Bob Bailin, Feature Systems, New York, NY and Atlanta, GA
Carole Schumacher, Schumacher Camera, Chicago, IL (former member of PERA)
Dennis Knopf, LTM, formerly of J L Fisher, Burbank, CA
Chris Thompson, Wexler Video, Burbank, CA
Andy Romanoff, Panavision Remote Systems, Woodland Hills, CA
John Chuck, ELS (former member of PERA)
Richard Hart, formerly of Xenotech (former member of PERA)
Richard Wurman, formerly of Boston Camera, Boston, MA, served as Treasurer of PERA 1997-99
Guy Jaconelli, formerly of HB Group, New Haven, CT
Kevin Stolpe, formerly of Hollywood Rental. HR was a founding member of PERA (former member of PERA)
Denny Clairmont, Clairmont Camera, Hollywood, CA, Toronto, ON, & Vancouver, BC, Canada
Dean Lyras, Rocky Mountain Motion Pictures, Hollywood, CA and Park City, UT
Frank Marasco, formerly of Victor Duncan, Inc, Dallas, TX (former member of PERA)
Marker Karahadian, Plus 8 Video, Burbank and NY, NY
Marty Oppenheimer, Oppenheimer Camera, Seattle, WA (former member of PERA)
Bill Zacharuk, Panavision Canada, Toronto, ON and Vancouver, BC, Canada
Ed Clare, Sherman Oaks, CA, served as Executive Director of PERA until September 2005 and helped found PERA in May 1992.
In Rememberance . . .
Gregg Snazelle, Cine Rent West, San Francisco, CA and Portland, OR
Gregg was among the founding members of PERA and served four years on our Board in the mid 90's. Snazelle helped found the commercial production industry in Northern California. He founded his production company, in 1949 and founded Cine Rent West - SF in the mid 70's and Cine Rent West - Portland in 1995. Gregg Snazelle passed away on Nov. 10, 1999.
