NATO Elects Bob Bagby and Mike Bowers as Chair and Vice-Chair

Caroline Brew
·2 min read
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The National Association of Theatre Owners executive board of directors has elected Bob Bagby as the new NATO chair and Mike Bowers as NATO vice-chair. Additionally, Tim Handren was elected chair of the Cinema Foundation, and Tori A. Baker was re-elected as vice chair.

Bagby is the president and CEO of B&B Theatres, the largest family owned and operated theater chain in the country.

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“When I was starting out, our family had only 17 screens, and now we’re the largest family-run cinema chain with more than 500 screens, so I have a unique perspective on all sides of the business,” Bagby said in a statement. “It’s an honor for me to represent the dedicated and hard-working people of cinemas across the globe and I look forward to serving the interests of our industry as we continue to bring the magic of the movies to the world.”

Bowers is the president and CEO of the Scottsdale-based Harkins Theatres. His career has spanned 40 years, including 35 spent in the motion picture industry.

“Bob Bagby is one of those people whose optimistic vision and positivity are contagious, and Mike Bowers’ passion for the industry and strategic insights are well-known,” said NATO president & CEO Michael O’Leary in a statement. “It’s a pleasure to work with these innovative leaders with decades of experience between them, and I am confident they will help steer our great industry to even greater heights.”

Handren is CEO of Santikos Entertainment, which operates 27 venues in the southeastern United States and a real estate portfolio of 1.2 million square feet. He was also the COO at Fortune 100 financial services company USAA. Baker is the president and CEO of the Salt Lake Film Society and cofounded the National Arthouse PSA project, the technology platform @homeArts and MAST, a media accelerator studio.

“Both Tim and Tori have a unique understanding of the cultural and economic impact of movie theaters and their importance to the communities at large,” said Cinema Foundation executive director Bryan Braunlich in a statement. “Along with the other Board members, Tim and Tori will help lead The Cinema Foundation in its mission to advance the future of the moviegoing experience.”

Twenty leaders in the domestic exhibition industry comprise the executive board of directors, NATO’s governing body. The four volunteer officers are elected from and by executive board members.

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