Vans Stevenson: Last News

Charna Flam Vans Stevenson, a senior government affairs executive with the Motion Pictures Association (MPA) concluded his 34-year career this week. He was a deeply knowledgeable expert on the inner workings of state bureaucracies, with an encyclopedic knowledge of the issues and key players in parts of the country where the movie business had set up shop. Before his recent role, Stevenson served as the senior VP of state government affairs for 25 years, where he attended to and managed MPA members’ interests on a national scale, as well as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. “I looked forward to going to work every day to improve, protect and defend the production, distribution and business practices of our member companies,” Stevenson said. “As I begin the next chapter of my career, I want to thank MPA CEO and chairman Charlie Rivkin for his leadership during my time at the association.”

The Motion Picture Association has named Kathy Bañuelos as senior vice president of state government affairs, as Vans Stevenson moves to a senior adviser role.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterThe Motion Picture Association announced Thursday it has hired Kathy Bañuelos to lead its lobbying efforts at state and local governments.Bañuelos comes to the trade organization from NBCUniversal, where she was vice president of government affairs. She will take over for Vans Stevenson, who has overseen state government lobbying for the MPA since 1995.In that period, Stevenson led the organization’s efforts in state capitols across the country to establish and expand tax incentives for film and TV production.