Local 44 agent re-elected

Begins 5th term with landslide victory

By NICK MADIGAN

Ronnie Cunningham, business agent of Affiliated Property Craftspersons Local 44, has been re-elected to the post in a race that earned him more than twice as many votes as his closest opponent.

Cunningham, whose title is synonymous with executive director, swept into a fifth consecutive term with 2,052 votes vs. 996 for former exec board member Craig Raiche. Cunningham's team was elected with him -- secretary/treasurer Wally Keske, president John Villarino and VP Speed Stearns.

Local 44, whose membership of 6,100 makes it the largest Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees local in North America, represents below-the-line crafts like set decorators, construction, property, greens and some special effects.

Cunningham first took office in 1989, when Local 44 was in trusteeship, its finances deep in the red. It now has a healthy treasury able to support a growing number of member services.

"As far as we're concerned, he's the king of the world," said membership coordinator Robert Verdugo about his boss.