Posted on: Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
As the Williamstown Film Festival and executive director Steve Lawson make plans for WFF's 11th season this fall, its Board of Directors has undergone major changes.
Bob Ware, the President of the Board since the Festival's inception in 1998, stepped down at the Festival's annual meeting on June 28. He was succeeded by Joe Finnegan, who has been on the Board for the past two years. Lee Harrison, who has been Treasurer since WFF began, handed the post over to longtime Board member Brian Cabral. Both Ware and Harrison will continue to serve on the Board. Vice-Presidents Bob Berzok and David Nickoll and Secretary/Clerk Merry Ann Simon were elected to new terms. Joe Finnegan and his family moved to Williamstown in 2005, after he had worked in a number of capacities on Wall Street. A frequent guest commentator for CNBC, he spent several years as a New York Stock Exchange floor official, and an active mentor for NYSE education programs. He was a partner of CMJ Partners, a specialist for Wagner Scott Mercator, and managing director and head of corporate development for Bear Wagner. In addition to WFF, Finnegan serves on the boards of Pine Cobble School, Images Cinema, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Williamstown Lacrosse Association. As those who have attended area cultural benefit events know, he is also an accomplished auctioneer. "I'm really excited about the challenges ahead," says Finnegan. "I look forward to working with Steve and our fantastic Board of Directors as WFF heads into its second decade."