Directors Guild of America National Executive Director Jay D. Roth today announced two new executive appointments: Rachel Paster is joining the DGA as Assistant Executive Director in the Guild’s New York offices, and Steven Knauss has been promoted to Assistant Executive Director in the Guild’s Los Angeles headquarters.
Paster will be involved in the administration of the Guild’s film and television agreements and represent assistant directors and unit production managers in the eastern region. Paster, who will report to Eastern Executive Director Neil Dudich, will also serve as staff liaison to the Guild’s Eastern AD/UPM Council.
In his new role, Knauss will represent assistant directors and unit production managers in the western region, serve as the staff liaison to the Guild’s Western AD/UPM Council, and oversee matters related to set safety. Knauss will report to Western Executive Director Danny Bush.
“We are very pleased to have Rachel and Steven join our senior management team,” said Roth. “Their labor relations and union experience will be a valuable asset in negotiating and enforcing DGA agreements. We look forward to putting their extensive experience and skills to use in the service of our AD and UPM members.”
Paster has more than 15 years of experience in union-side labor law. Prior to joining the DGA, she was a partner in the labor law firm Lewis, Clifton & Nikolaidis where she focused on representing labor unions in contract negotiations. She has also worked for Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP and Cary Kane LLP, as well as the County Attorney for Nassau County, New York. Paster received both her B.A. and J.D. from the University of Michigan.
Knauss joined the Guild in 2013 as a field representative. Prior to that, he held a number of positions in Nevada and Florida Locals of the Service Employees International Union where he most recently served as healthcare division director and chief negotiator for Local 1107. Knauss received both his B.A. and M.A. from Appalachian State University.
