NATO Chief John Fithian is retiring
The exec presided over the theater owners’ group as president since 2000 and has spent a total of 30 years working for the lobbying and trade organization.
John Fithian, president of the National Body of Theatre Owners, is stepping down on May 1, 2023, following a long tenure at the helm of the leading lobbying and trade association.
NATO‘s Executive Board has begun the search for Fithian’s replacement.
Fithian’s retirement concludes his thirty-year career with NATO. Fithian joined NATO as an outside counsel in 1992 and took the presidency in 2000, at the start of a period of tremendous upheaval in the sector as digital developed.
More profound changes would come — most notably, the COVID-19 crisis, which prompted unprecedented theater closures and brought the box office to a complete stop.
“It is nearly impossible, to sum up a career of three decades in a few sentences,” Fithian said in the announcement. “I will leave that to others. But my highest goal was always to leave this organization and this industry stronger and more effective than I found it – and more importantly – to ensure that it remains strong and effective after I am gone. The professional and experienced staff I leave behind and the culture of service we have built together is a legacy to be proud of.”
Added NATO Chairman Rolando Rodriguez, “John’s impact on the movie theater industry is profound and lasting. Whether in Hollywood, Washington, D.C., or internationally, NATO’s reach and effectiveness as an advocate for the movie theater industry has grown and sharpened under John’s leadership. We have big shoes to fill, and we offer John our profoundest thanks for all his years of service.”
Fithian, who is based in Washington, D.C., also helped develop CinemaCon, a yearly conference of theatre owners and Hollywood studios in Las Vegas.
Fithian, known for his witty comments and retorts, was also a staunch supporter of theatrical windows.
The board, employees, and members amassed a considerable nest egg for the coming “rainy day” that came when the COVID epidemic hit in 2020, led by Fithian and others engaged with NATO. NATO’s reserve fund and other net assets increased between 2000 and 2020 by operating continuously with surplus budgets and investing intelligently.
The NATO crew worked nonstop to assist the exhibition in surviving and recovering from the virus. The reserve fund was critical, and millions of dollars were spent on personnel. in need, developing safety protocols backed by epidemiologists to aid in the re-opening of cinemas, and lobbying state and local governments on tax and grant relief for exhibitors of all sizes. Fithian — who is no stranger on Capitol Hill, where his late father was a U.S. congressman — also led the efforts to lobby the federal government to protect tax benefits as well as the creation of a grant program for smaller and mid-size companies.
Fithian’s lengthy tenure also includes dealing with piracy, defending the movie rating system, which it administers in collaboration with the MPA, and expanding NATO’s international reach.