Board of Directors
GEORGE R.R. MARTIN PRESIDENT/CO-FOUNDER
George Raymond Richard Martin (born September 20, 1948), is an American novelist and short story writer in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres, screenwriter, and television producer. He wrote the series of epic fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire, which was adapted into the HBO series Game of Thrones (2011–2019). Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin’s first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: “The Hero,” sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed. In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93. Martin’s present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers’ Guild of America West and also Chairman of the Board of Santa Fe Southern Railway, Inc.
MICHAEL L. STERN
VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER
Michael L. Stern is a Senior Partner with the Los Angeles-based multi-family office business management firm of WG&S, LLP., a division of Gelfand Rennert and Feldman. He manages television and motion picture and writers, actors and directors, book authors, as well as other high-net-worth families and individuals. Michael Stern began his professional career in 1981 when he co-founded the firm Ogulnick and Stern, Inc. CPAs. After gaining a broad knowledge in individual taxation, he joined the firm Meyer, Benadon and Shapiro in 1990, where he widened his scope of tax expertise, and began building his entertainment business management practice. In 1996, Michael merged his practice with Edgar Gross the founder of International Business Management, a long standing and well respected Los Angeles business management firm. At IBM, Michael managed, advised and guided highly successful entertainers, writers, directors and other high-net-worth individuals. After Edgar’s retirement in 2010, Michael joined WG&S, LLP, where he continues to successfully engage with the firm’s clients in all financial aspects of their lives, and works with vigor, focus and commitment to service and protect them. Michael graduated from Touro College in New York with a degree in Accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs. He served for many years as Chief Financial Officer of Vital Options, a non-profit organization providing support to young adults living with cancer, and helped to successfully grow the organization during its formative years. He presently serves on the board of The Stagecoach Foundation, a foundation dedicated to advancing economic development in New Mexico through promoting and sustaining film and television production, and creating career pathways for New Mexicans in the film and television industries through free training and workforce development.
JAY D. ROSENBLUM SECRETARY
Jay is chairman and senior shareholder of Sutin, Thayer & Browne, one of New Mexico's leading law firms. Jay served as President and CEO of the firm for eighteen years, from 2000 through 2017. Jay's practice includes business design, corporate and estate work and philanthropic legal matters. In 2017, the State Bar of New Mexico's Business Law Section honored Jay as "Business Lawyer of the Year." Jay is also a recipient of the Zia Award, a recognition annually given to distinguished alumni of the University of New Mexico. Jay served as chair of the New Mexico Community Foundation and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and as a private trustee for a Colorado philanthropic foundation. Jay also serves on the Boards of Directors of the Parker Center for Family Business, a nonprofit affiliate of UNM's Anderson School of Management, and the Jewish Community Foundation of New Mexico. Jay's avocation is playing bass for New Mexico's western swing band, the Curio Cowboys, and its various swing and country offshoots. The Curios were winners of the New Mexico Music Award for Best Instrumental in 2017.