The National Association of Theatre Owners executive board of directors has elected B&B Theatres president & CEO Bob Bagby as the new NATO chair and Harkins Theatres president & CEO Mike Bowers as the new NATO vice-chair at NATO’s 2023 general membership and board meetings at the Beverly Hilton.
Bagby, oversees the largest family owned and operated theatre chain in the country. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, B&B Theatres will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.
“I grew up in the movie theatre business,” says Bagby. “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. 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, oversees the Scottsdale-based Harkins Theatres circuit and its related businesses. His 40-year career in business includes 35 years in the motion picture industry beginning his exhibition career with Los Angeles-based Mann Theatres. Joining Harkins Theatres in 1993, Bowers is responsible for every aspect of the organization.
“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,” says NATO president & CEO Michael O’Leary. “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.”
Also, at the meeting Santikos Entertainment CEO Tim Handren was elected chair of The Cinema Foundation, while Salt Lake Film Society’s Tori A. Baker was re-elected vice chair.
Handren leads the San Antonio-based Santikos during a time of significant growth or the cinema, entertainment center and real estate company, operating 27 venues in the Southeastern US, in addition to a real estate portfolio of 1.2 million square feet. As a strategic advisor and serial entrepreneur, Handren has helped expand and grow dozens of companies and was the COO at USAA, a Fortune 100 financial services company. Handren will continue to serve on the executive board of NATO.
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 (Media Accelerator Studio).
“Both Tim and Tori have a unique understanding of the cultural and economic impact of movie theatres and their importance to the communities at large,” says The Cinema Foundation executive director Bryan Braunlich. “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.”
The National Association of Theatre Owners www.natoonline.org
The Cinema Foundation www.thecinemafoundation.org