Gov. Kemp Names Eighteen Appointments

On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, Governor Brian Kemp conducted swearing-in ceremonies for eighteen (18) appointees to serve on the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Commission.

Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Commission

Stephen “Steve” Weizenecker is an entertainment lawyer with Barnes and Thornburg in Atlanta. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and law degree from J.D. Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He and his wife have two children.

Frank Patterson previously served on the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Commission. He is the president of Pinewood Atlanta Studios and a professor for Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts.

Daniel Rosenfelt is president of Third Rail Studios in Doraville. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Film and TV/Integrative Arts at Pennsylvania State University. He and his wife reside in Dunwoody with their two children.

Daniel “Danny” Dawson is a county music singer, songwriter, and performer. He and his band performed “Georgia on My Mind” at Governor Kemp’s inauguration. Dawson and his wife live in Pearson.

Chris Albrecht is a partner with Double A Productions, an event production company. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University. Albrecht resides in Johns Creek with his wife and two children.

Keith Perissi has been the director of the Joel A. Katz Music & Entertainment Business Program at Kennesaw State University since 2013. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Media Studies from Kennesaw State University, and he has been a recognized professional musician for over fifteen years. Perissi is experienced in the management, merchandising, touring, promotion, and booking of a self-owned business. He and his wife live in Roswell.

John Raulet is the vice president of Raulet Property Partners, a real estate brokerage firm. With the advent of the Georgia Film Tax Credit, he expanded the company’s services into the film and television industry in 2008. Since then, he has represented every major film studio in the nation, including Universal, Warner Brothers, Lionsgate, Fox, and Paramount in securing production space. He and his wife live in Atlanta, and they have three children.

William “Craig” Miller is the executive producer for Craig Miller Productions, a full-service film production company that he founded in 1985. The company’s capabilities include creative strategy, script writing, production design, and production management. Miller and his wife live in Alpharetta, and they have six children.

Mala Sharma is an entertainment business executive who handles business affairs, marketing, and client relations with Wabi Sabi Sound, Inc. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Georgia. Sharma and her husband have two children and reside in Atlanta.

Cardellia Hunter works for the City of Atlanta and is the co-director of operations and productions for the Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment. She and her husband have one daughter, and they live in Hampton.

John Neel, Jr. is the chief executive officer and principal of The Sandford Company, Inc. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. Neel has several children, and he resides in Macon.

Michael Akins is a business agent with IATSE Local 479, a labor union that represents theatrical stage employees. He earned a master’s degree in Science from Oklahoma State University. He has four children and resides in Madison.

Representative Bert Reeves represents House District 34, and he serves as vice chairman of the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. He is also the chairman of a subcommittee of Judiciary Non-Civil Committee and a member of the Ways and Means, Insurance, Higher Education, and Interstate Cooperation Committees. Representative Reeves is an attorney and partner with Smith, Schnatmeier, Dettmering, Collins, Reeves, Hobson & Hobson, LLP. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology where he received a bachelor’s degree in Management. Representative Reeves resides in Marietta with his wife, Amy, and their two children.

Representative Terry Rogers represents House District 10, and he currently serves as vice chairman of the Georgia House Economic Development and Tourism Committee and the State Planning and Community Affairs Committee. He is also a member of the Appropriations, Defense and Veteran Affairs, Rules, Regulated Industries, and Human Relations and Aging Committees. Representative Rogers is active in his community, and he has chaired the Banks, Rabun, and Habersham County Joint Development Authority. He and his wife, Laura, live on their farm in Clarksville.

Representative Carl Gilliard represents House District 162, and he is a member of the Appropriations, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, State Properties, and Transportation Committees. He attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta where his community career began. In 2012, he launched a multi-media communication company called Urban Media and also established the Gilliard Foundation, a media company and foundation that produces documentaries and television specials on history. Representative Gilliard resides in Garden City.

Senator Jeff Mullis is the chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, Senate Music Committee, and Halls of Fame Joint Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Appropriations, Economic Development and Tourism, and Regulated Industries and Utilities Committees. Senator Mullis was born and raised in Chickamauga, and he currently serves as an economic developer in Northwest Georgia. He and his wife, Teresa, have three children and one grandchild.

Senator David Lucas was first elected to the state Senate in 2012. He currently serves as a member of the Senate Appropriations, Economic Development and Tourism, Regulated Industries and Utilities, Transportation, and Urban Affairs Committees. Senator Lucas earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Tuskegee Institute, a doctorate degree from Mercer University’s Medical School, and a honorary doctorate of law from Mercer University. He and his wife, Elaine, have four children and reside in Macon.

Stratton Leopold is the owner of Leopold’s Ice Cream in Savannah, and he has been in the film business for more than forty years. He previously served as the executive vice president of Paramount Pictures.