Western Region

 

Don Burton

dburton@icg600.com | (323) 645-9418
Don Burton is a long-time member and has been a Business Representative for Local 600 since the Fall of 2022. His first experience as a union member was as a high school science teacher in Riverside, CA after he graduated from the University of California, Riverside. After teaching for two years, his love of films brought him to Los Angeles in 1999 to pursue his passion. He began his career working on low budget non-union films in the straight video era before joining Local 600 as a 2nd Assistant in 2004. After joining the union, Don primarily worked on music videos and commercials before moving into scripted television for the last ten years of his career as an assistant. Don is excited about his new role where he gets the opportunity to draw on his experience in the craft to advocate and support the members. In his free time, Don enjoys rock climbing, surfing, backpacking, cooking, and spending time with his three children. 
     
 

Kali Harrison

kharrison@icg600.com | (323) 333-0279
Working for 15 plus years primarily as a DGA 2nd and 2nd 2nd Assistant Director, Kali Harrison served as a liaison between production and the crew who worked tirelessly to support all craftspeople in ways that afforded them opportunities to deliver their very best. In doing so, Kali understood and demonstrated that effective and transparent communication with labor is key to fulfilling the director’s vision. Kali joined ICG, IATSE Local 600, in February 2022. He is proud to represent the Local 600 family in the ongoing effort to protect members in their immediate, long-term, and collective interests. In doing so, Kali is excited to bring into play the empathy, enthusiasm, and professionalism he brought to every project he’s worked on since entering the film and television industry in 1997.
     
 

Stephen Mullen

smullen@icg600.com | (505) 525-0615
Stephen has worked in the film industry as a Lighting Tech, Gaffer and Rigging Gaffer on small and large feature film and TV productions since 1984. He has also worked as a Lighting Designer for dance, music, and legitimate theatre productions. In 1989, Stephen helped organize New Mexico’s Studio Mechanics Local 480. In the late 90s, while serving as a Local 480 Business Rep, he worked closely with the NM Film Office to develop the first New Mexico film incentives and the film crew advancement program. In April 2022, he joined the Local 600 staff as the new resident Business Rep in NM and to also service our members in AZ, CO, and OR. Throughout Stephen's career, he helped many people find their career path in the film industry, guided them through the process of joining the union, and taught them that a union is only as good as the people that participate. Stephen has also been a dealer of fine arts and crafts, a coffee shop owner, and is a father of two daughters. 
     
 

Darby Newman

dnewman@icg600.com | (323) 969-2710
Darby Newman has been a Business Rep for Local 600 since the spring of 2021. He worked in the film and television industry for over 20 years, with the last 11 as a 1st Assistant/technician. Darby’s first union experience was as a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 351 from 2000-2002. He started his entertainment career on the East Coast with small film and commercial projects before moving to California in 2002 and joining Local 600 in 2006. Darby worked primarily in the scripted television arena with other time spent on features, commercials, and nearly 100 music videos in the early stages of his career. After over 30,000 hours on set, Darby decided he wanted to have more direct experience aiding his fellow union members. Darby brings his experience in the field to relate and assist members in any way he can. He is the proud father of a daughter with special needs and a member of many online support groups that advocate for these children. Darby brings his strong work ethic, attention to detail, boundless energy, compassion, and sense of humor to every assignment. Read Darby's 600LIVE! profile here.
     
 

Raquel Ruiz

rruiz@icg600.com | (323) 422-3657
A California native, Raquel Ruiz, joined the International Cinematographer’s Guild in 2021, and represents the International Cinematographer’s Guild National Broadcast membership. With a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, her introduction to the labor movement was working on a SEIU campaign that organized workers in the Inland Empire to have a voice on the job, win industry standard wages and free healthcare. Raquel has organized workers, negotiated new contracts, and led union members on successful organizing actions and contract campaigns including strikes for over 20 years. Working in Southern California, Raquel led a civic campaign that stopped the intended closure of Community Hospital in San Bernardino where she coincidentally was born. Raquel has spent her career tirelessly advocating and leading union members and has a passion for seeking innovative solutions to difficult issues. Her other passions are her two daughters, her dogs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers! Read Raquel's 600LIVE! profile here.
     
 

Ryan Sullivan

rsullivan@icg600.com | (323) 793-0040
Ryan Sullivan has been a Business Representative for Local 600 since the Spring of 2021. After graduating college, Ryan started his film and television career as a production assistant, eventually working his way into the camera department. In 2010 he joined Local 600 as a 2nd AC, mainly working on unscripted projects filming in locations around the world. After his first daughter was born, he transitioned to scripted television and features closer to home to be with his family. Seeing the benefits of solidarity early in his career left an impression on him to always do what he could to help his fellow crewmembers. With experience on unscripted and scripted television, music videos, documentaries, commercials, and features, Ryan has experienced the many challenges that our members go through in different genres and is able to bring that work experience with him when assisting Local 600 members. Read Ryan's 600LIVE! profile here.

Central Region

 

Ashurina Atto

aatto@icg600.com | (312) 940-3570
Ashurina Atto has been with Local 600 in Member Services since December 2014 and became a Business Representative in June 2022. She started with the Local months after graduating from UIC with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in film studies. Although this is Ashurina’s first opportunity as a Business Representative, she has a great appreciation for labor unions as she comes from a union family – her father is a retired 35-year member of UAW L890. Proud to serve and advocate for the membership, Ashurina was born and raised in Chicago and is a first-generation Assyrian American. She’s also a fan of drive-ins, road trips, and antique malls.
     
     
 

Heather Burgett-Svanevik

hburgett-svanevik@icg600.com | (470) 436-3605
Heather has been an activist and staunch fighter for women and minorities for the last 35 years. She has volunteered as a legal advocate for a battered woman’s network and is Past President of her local chapter of PEO, a philanthropic organization that helps women with education via scholarships and grants. She has sat on the Board of Directors for multiple organizations. Her career in labor leadership began 14 years ago. As a District Representative with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers she participated in grievance mediation, negotiations, and legislative lobbying on Capitol Hill. She has been involved in Employee Assistance, Critical Incident Response and Professional Standards programs. She has had formal training with the National Mediation Board and holds a master’s degree in Union Leadership and Administration with a minor in Labor Law from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. When she’s not working, you’ll find her busy with her 1905 farmhouse renovation and spending time with her two college age children.
     
 

Jack R. Nealy

jnealy@icg600.com | (352) 409-2129
Jack Nealy has been a Business Rep for Local 600 since May 2008. He is responsible for achieving the Guild’s goals in the states of Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, Southern Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Florida. In addition to sitting on the Executive Board of the LFEA, Jack is the Education Chairman of the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association, the liaison between the Entertainment Industry and the educational system in the State of Louisiana. The Business Manager of IATSE Local 477, from 2005-2008, Jack represented the Studio Mechanics of Florida, his home state. Prior to 2005, Jack worked as a Lighting Technician. As a Stagehand and member of IATSE Local 631, Jack worked Broadway tours as a flyman and was a high rigger working arena concert tours. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Jack served on the U.S.S. Concord AFS-5. Happily married to wife Pamela, they currently reside in New Orleans.
     
 

Lee Burks

BBurks@icg600.com | (470) 553-1727
Lee Burks began his career as a Firefighter-Paramedic / Fire Inspector and 20 years later, joined the Film and Television industry in 2011 as a Set Medic. He served as a Steward both on and off production until 2020. In 2020 during Covid, he was asked to become a Health and Safety Manager to help navigate the varied and numerous issues in keeping production safe and moving forward. As a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Lee brings more than than 3 decades of experience in safety management to ICG600. Having worked with the Producers, Camera crews, and various crafts on numerous productions, Lee gained insight to the many challenges that we face. He looks forward to working with the members of 600 as a Central Region Business Rep and fighting for their safety and improvement of working conditions. Lee is married, with 2 daughters, and 2 granddaughters. 

Eastern Region

     
 

John Barrett

jbarrett@icg600.com | (631) 664-1857
John Barrett worked in TV and film production for seven years in Los Angeles before attending graduate school in Rhode Island. While there, he was elected to the position of Grievance Committee Chair at Graduate Assistants United where he also helped negotiate the 2018 contract and navigate a massive change in affiliation. After three years as a field rep at SAG-AFTRA, he is excited to further connect his experience in production to his passion for the labor movement here at Local 600. John spends most of his free time discussing Elmo with his young daughter.
     
 

Tom Bracone

tbracone@icg600.com | (917) 930-3806
Tom began his career in the motion picture industry working as a stage manager for Sunlight Pictures Corp., a bicoastal commercial production company. He later joined NABET Local 15 as a camera assistant. Through the merger with IATSE Local 644, and later the formation of Local 600, he continued his dream of shooting television commercials for another 20+ years. Recategorizing to camera operator in 2015, he enthusiastically transitioned to episodic television. Tom is excited to bring his vast amount of on-set experience to his new role as Eastern Region Business Rep as he navigates the ever-changing concerns of our industry for current and future members. Tom is the father of two sons, both Local 600 members. 
     
 

Micah Landau

mlandau@icg600.com | (646) 214-7055
A labor union staffer with 15 years of experience at both local and international unions, Micah joined the staff of Local 600 as a business representative in the eastern region in February 2022. He primarily administers contracts in film, television and new media, but is also interested in organizing non-union productions to expand the local’s reach and protect the wages and working conditions it has established in the industry. Micah previously worked as a field representative in SAG-AFTRA’s National Field Services Department but began his career in the labor movement as a communications staffer at the United Federation of Teachers, where he worked for eight years. He also organized airport workers and represented building service workers at SEIU Local 32BJ. Micah holds an M.A. from the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies. He is a fan of history, dogs, punk rock and, of course, labor unions.
     
 

Tristan Salazar

tsalazar@icg600.com | (212) 647-7302
Before coming to New York in 2013 and joining Local 600 as the head of Member Services for the Eastern Region, Tristan began their labor career with administration at a union theater in San Francisco and then in Member Services at IATSE Local 16. Passionate about the labor movement and intersectional politics, they are proud to bring their experience in helping people join the union and to fight for their safety and rights. Tristan has two children, a cat, and a dog, and far too many books. 

 

About Us

Short History of the Guild

Who We Are

Our Mission

Awards