The Academy elects its first African-American president
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made a decision that is historic within its ranks.
The governing body responsible for the Academy Awards each year made history Tuesday night by electing its first African-American president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, reports HitFix. Isaacs, a marketing and publicity veteran, succeeds Howard "Hawk" Koch who served a single, year-long term. Isaacs is only the third woman to hold the title, and the first since Fay Canin's term between 1979-1981.
Further details via HitFix:
Isaacs has been an Academy governor for 21 years so she has first hand knowledge of all the changes the organization has gone through over the past decade. Currently the head of her own marketing consultation company, Isaacs is the former president of marketing at New Line and one-time head of publicity at Paramount Pictures. The Hollywood lifer's credentials are noteworthy, but her election is another positive sign for an institution that has struggled to diversify its membership quickly enough to silence its critics.There was significant change among the other elected board positions as well. John Lasseter was elected first vice president (he previously served as secretary and treasurer). Noted costume designer Jeffrey Kurland and makeup artist Leonard Engelman were elected to vice president posts. Former Disney studio chief Dick Cook was elected treasurer and screenwriter Phil Robinson was elected secretary.
Academy board members may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms, while officers serve one-year terms, with a maximum of four consecutive years in any one office.
Though Isaacs has been elected, one of her first decisions as Academy president has already been taken away by her predecessor, as Howard Koch broke with tradition by bringing back last year's Oscar producers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, before the end of his term. Traditionally, the decision on producers for the next ceremony is left to the incoming president. While Isaacs is not expected to change producers, she may not get the chance to put her own stamp on the Oscar ceremony unless she's re-elected this time next year.