The Dallas Film Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that celebrates films and their impact on society, has appointed three of Dallas’ leading business men to its Board of Directors with Ellen Needham Winspear returning to the Board after a brief hiatus. Additionally, Lynn McBee will be handing the reins of chair to Dallas producer and CEO of Post Asylum, Don Stokes. The announcement was made by Lee Papert, president and CEO of the Dallas Film Society.
“I am thrilled to announce that Gary Cogill, Mark Denesuk and Harry Hunsicker will all be joining the Dallas Film Society Board of Directors,” said Papert. “Their talent, experience and vision will add a unique perspective to the Board that can only help elevate the Dallas Film Society as we enter our eighth year.”
Don Stokes added: “I have been involved with the Dallas Film Society since its inception. It is an organization I passionately believe in and I am excited about chairing the Board. Our line-up of officers is exemplary. Each and every one of them brings an expertise to the table that can only continue to build the Film Society’s reputation at a local, national and international level.”
Gary Cogill is an Emmy award-winning journalist, a three-time Katie award winner and producer at Lascaux Films. For 24 years, Cogill served as the film critic for WFAA-TV in Dallas (ABC) and sat down with the biggest names in the business including the likes of Robert DeNiro, Meryl Streep, Stephen Spielberg and Clint Eastwood. With Lascaux Films, he recently returned from Canada after wrapping principal photography on WORDS & PICTURES starring Juliette Binoche and Clive Owen.
Mark Denesuk is the managing principal and founder of Commerce House, a boutique advertising and integrated marketing agency in Dallas. Prior to Commerce House, Denesuk spent almost 20 years working at some of the world’s largest agencies on their most prestigious accounts. His agencies included Grey, Young & Rubican, Deutsch, Ogilvy & Mather, Temerlin McClain and most recently he was an executive vice president and operating board member of McCann-Erickson New York. Active in the community, Denesuk currently serves on boards for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, the Promising Youth Alliance and the Thanksgiving Foundation.
Harry Hunsicker is the former executive vice president of the Mystery Writers of America and the author of four novels, crime thrillers set in Texas. His fiction has been nominated for a Shamus Award by the Private Eye Writers of America and a Thriller Award by the International Thriller Writers and has appeared in The Best American Mystery Stories of 2011, D Magazine and Texas Monthly. He currently serves as chairman of the Highland Park Centennial Film Festival.
Ellen Needham Winspear started her career in the fashion industry before obtaining her graduate degree in Academic Language Therapy from SMU. She taught at her own private practice, the Oak Hill Academy and The Shelton School with her experience leading her to become involved in the Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT). Winspear is renowned for her community involvement. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development at SMU. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Dallas Zoo, is a trustee of the Dallas Opera and serves on the Advisory Council of the Dallas Theater Center.
The officers for the upcoming fiscal year include Chairman, Don Stokes; Treasurer, Jim Nugent; Secretary, Terry Schpok and Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, Tara Lewis. Returning Board of Directors include Benton Bagot, Brad Berkley, Lauren Embrey, Clare Freeman, Mary Hatcher, John Hersker, Jennifer Houser, Ian McGloin, Ruth O. Mutch, Steve Stodghill, Mersina Stubbs and Carter Tolleson
