The National Association of Theatre Owners today announced two association leadership decisions to increase the Association’s reach and effectiveness. With the support of NATO’s Executive Board of Directors, Jackie Brenneman has been promoted to Executive Vice President and General Counsel – a new, “second-in-command” position at the association. Meanwhile, Todd Halstead has joined the national association management team as Director of Government Relations and Strategy Development.

Brenneman has served NATO members in a variety of capacities since 2014, after joining NATO as Manager of Industry Relations from the law firm of Foley & Lardner, LLP in Los Angeles. During the pandemic, Brenneman made an historic mark on our industry by developing and leading implementation of essential government relief programs that helped domestic exhibitors survive the existential challenges of these times.

Halstead first joined NATO’s government relations team in 2007 after working on Capitol Hill. He later moved from his full-time position in the national association to lead a NATO-affiliated regional association, the Theater Owners of Mid-America (TOMA), while continuing to help NATO as a part-time strategy consultant on key industry projects.

“Jackie is poised to help lead the industry into a new era,” said NATO Chairman Rolando Rodriguez, Chairman, President & CEO of Marcus Theatres. “NATO members, team colleagues and I have all been inspired through these difficult times by her keen intellect, strategic foresight, passion and tireless work ethic.”

“I can think of no one in the industry with Todd’s breadth of experience and insight in federal government relations, state and local government relations, and the long-term development of industry strategies,” said NATO President and CEO John Fithian. “We are thrilled to have Todd “back home” full-time in a key management position.”

About NATO
The National Association of Theatre Owners is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 35,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 32,000 additional screens in 101 countries worldwide.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a second office in Los Angeles, California, NATO represents its members in the heart of the nation’s capital as well as the center of the entertainment industry. From these vantage points, NATO helps exhibition influence federal policy-making and work with movie distributors on all areas of mutual concern, from new technologies to legislation, marketing, and First Amendment issues. www.natoonline.org