Copyright Deadline
The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) has revealed the results of its 2025 election. Danny Lin was officially elected to serve as president of the local union after running unopposed, the guild announced Monday. A writer and storyboard artist, Lin will be sworn in on December 2. “I could not be more honored or grateful to serve as the incoming President of The Animation Guild, a Union that has evolved so much in the past decade and only continues to grow in both size and power,” Lin said in a statement. “But this is a bittersweet moment of celebration for me. So many of our members are out of work and struggling to pay their bills while our employers axe productions, enact sweeping layoffs to boost their stock value, and chase their shiny new toy, Generative A.I. In the face of these challenges, we must cultivate hope, community, solidarity, humanity, and art. These are beacons of light in dark times, and they are qualities I see reflected in our newly elected Executive Board and in each and every member of The Animation Guild. We will continue to organize, to fight, and to win.” Lin was one of four officers to run unopposed, also including Vice President Roger Oda, who previously served as a board trustee. Incumbent business representative Steve Kaplan and incoming treasurer Paula Spence, former board recording secretary, also ran unopposed. The two officers who won by vote count are former Animation Guild President Jeanette Moreno King, who will now serve as secretary, and David DePasquale as sergeant-at-arms. On stepping down and moving into a new position on the executive board, King said in a statement of her own: “I believe it’s important to keep leadership fresh and welcome new ideas. Danny Lin will bring a valuable perspective as a digital native and a strong communicator, and I’m confident the Guild is in good hands. I ran for Secretary because I love this Union and want to continue contributing in a supportive role. While new ideas and strategies are vital to our growth, I also believe our institutional memory helps ground the decisions we make as a board to ensure a strong and successful future.” In addition to the six officers, 11 members were elected to serve on the board. They are Marissa Bernstel, Rachael Cohen, Kolja Erman, Chrissy Fellmeth, Andy Garner-Flexner, KC Johnson, Claire Morrissey, Roma Murphy, Dan Pinto, Mike Rianda, and Candice Stephenson. Bernstel, Stephenson and Cohen have been appointed as trustees because they received the most votes. All elected leaders will serve three-year terms that begin after their swearing in on December 2.
