The meeting, held in the Venetian Hotel during the Adult Entertainment Expo and Internext trade shows, was standing room only, with most of the new, re-elected and returning board members in attendance.
The newly elected FSC Board Members are Jim Everett of Lions Den Management Company, Gregory Shearer and Nellie Symm-Gruender, whose terms begin immediately.
“The membership has elected an energetic and committed Board of Directors to steer FSC in the right direction for 2006,” FSC Executive Director Michelle Freridge said. “This next year will be very challenging for the adult entertainment industry as federal, state and local governments increasingly violate the civil rights of Americans in misguided and illegal attempts to censor legal adult speech.”
Everett, who currently serves as COO of Lions Den, a 15-state chain of adult superstores, previously worked as an internationally recognized retail and marketing consultant. Everett graduated from Ohio State University and has served on the board of several public and private companies, including the American Marketing Association and Habitat for Humanity.
Shearer is currently involved in the alternative adult video production, manufacturing and distribution business. He possesses a marketing background, experience producing gay visual erotica and a background in retail sales, and said he will represent the interests of the gay community as part of the FSC Board.
Symm-Gruender, a registered nurse for 31 years, started an adult entertainment store during 2000 with her husband, Gene. Symm-Gruender said she and her husband are outspoken supporters of the 1st Amendment and activists for the adult industry in Missouri.
Sid Grief of AAA News in Texas, Joan Irvine of Adult Sites Advocating Child Protection, William Murphy of Fairvilla MegaStores in Florida and Connor Young of YNOT were re-elected to the Board of Directors. Returning to complete their terms on the Board are Mara Epstein, Mark Kernes, Reed Lee and Jeffrey Douglas.
The board is elected to provide guidance for activities and functions, including strategic planning, approval of annual budgets and periodic review of strategic goals. Additionally, board members also sit on supporting committees, including the Executive Committee, the Government and Legal Committee, the Membership Committee, the Internet Committee, the Fundraising Committee, and the Public Information Committee.