NATO
Welcomes
Kendrick Macdowell
On Jan. 13, I announced that G. Kendrick
Macdowell had joined NATO as its new general counsel and
director of government affairs (see story).
In that capacity, Kendrick will work closely
with me, NATO vice president MaryAnn Anderson, long-time
NATO outside counsel Steve Fellman, and the NATO board
of directors.
I want NATO members and friends to know how thrilled I
am that Kendrick is on board, particularly given the challenges
currently confronting exhibition. Kendrick brings extensive
experience and strategic insight to our team at a critical
juncture.
I have known Kendrick for more than 15 years.
After a judicial clerkship, he joined the Washington, D.C.
law firm of Patton
Boggs LLP, where I was an associate. We became partners
there, as Kendrick served as a litigator and appellate
advocate, and I worked on government relations matters.
At Patton Boggs, Kendrick teamed with me on several NATO
issues. Later, Kendrick went on to assume a senior counsel
position on Capitol Hill. He understands very well both
the legal and federal policy arenas in which NATO operates.
As the motion picture industry moves closer
to the digital age, Kendrick will counsel me and our members
to help ensure
a proper and advantageous transition. He will oversee NATO’s
government relations program on such important topics as
movie piracy and association health plan legislation. When
the industry confronts the threat of litigation, Kendrick
will interact with our members’ lawyers to seek appropriate
outcomes. Kendrick will provide legal advice and oversight
on functions of the NATO staff, office, and publications,
and will counsel NATO members, officers and directors when
they are acting on behalf of the association. He will also
work with me to protect the primacy of the theatrical experience.
Though the mandate seems large, I am confident
that Mr. Macdowell will excel in all his tasks on behalf
of our
members. Kendrick possesses one of the most keen and strategic
minds I have ever encountered, and he is a trusted partner
and friend. I am excited to introduce him to you all at
ShoWest, the industry’s largest and most important
gathering.
