Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/756468
85 Q4 2016 / CINEMONTAGE 85 Q4 2016 / CINEMONTAGE importantly, my friend. He is living proof of his own words: "The only way to repay loyalty is to show loyalty." Scott M. George Motion Picture Editors Guild Western Assistant Executive Director, 2010-present Business Representative, Local 683, Laboratory Film/Video Technicians and Cinetechnicians, 2004-10 n First things first: Ron, enjoy riding your Harley-Davidson in retirement! Thanks for your confidence in me and for the chance to work for you and MPEG. Thank you for your loyalty — not much of that around anymore. Over the years, your guidance in helping to resolve issues was done with a gracious calm and I have always appreciated your continued support and trust in me and the New York office staff. I have tried to add up all that I have learned from your finely honed negotiating skills and leadership. I will do my utmost to utilize all that you have generously passed on! You'll hear this a lot but it bears repeating: Your work at the bargaining table has benefited the membership of MPEG for decades, as well as those of us on staff at the Local's administration. I will greatly miss our dinners in New York City. With utmost respect… Paul G. Moore Motion Picture Editors Guild Eastern Executive Director, 2010-present Assistant Executive Director, 2001-10 n I have been fortunate to be on the Board of Directors for this Guild for 20 years and President for the last three. For all this time, and 15 years before, Ron Kutak has been the steady hand we have needed, negotiating contracts, keeping us on firm financial ground and growing us in many rewarding ways. I believe the most important thing Ron has done was guiding our Local through the merger with Local 771 in New York City and helping us to form a truly national guild. There are rumors that Ron can be volatile at times, but one of my favorite Ron moments occurred as we were nearing the end of the rather delicate negotiations to merge when one of our Board members argued that we shouldn't give up our Los Angeles Local 776 number and be made to accept 700 as the Local number for the unified Guild. Ron began to fold his file, started to rise and, more or less calmly, pointed out that this was a serious non-issue, not worthy of our energy as we attempted the joining of the Guilds. The board quickly removed the Local number from the discussion. Ron has always been quick and sharp in getting to the heart of problems. He has loved and worked tirelessly for this Guild and we all wish him well in his retirement. His leadership will be missed. Alan Heim, ACE Motion Picture Editors Guild President, 2014-present Vice President, 2008-10, 2012-213 Editor Representative, 1998-2007, 2011-12 n It is a real pleasure to have this opportunity to celebrate Ron's outstanding service and to congratulate him on his retirement. As National Executive Director of the Motion Picture Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700), Director of the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans, Special Representative to the IA and Trustee of the IATSE National Benefit Funds, Ron has consistently and effectively demonstrated expertise in bargaining and negotiation, intelligence and ability while serving on the