Award-Winning Film Producer Frank Marshall Named Co-Chair of LA's Promise Board of Directors

O'Melveny's Christopher Brearton and Fox's Dean Hallett Join Board

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- LA's Promise announced today that acclaimed director and producer Frank Marshall has been named Co-Chair of its Board of Directors. In addition Christopher Brearton, Managing Partner of O'Melveny and Myers' Century City office, and Dean Hallett, Fox Filmed Entertainment's Executive Vice President, Operations and Strategy, Chief Financial Officer were appointed as directors, joining a 13 member board that oversees strategic planning, finances and fundraising.

"Frank has been a core contributor to the growth of LA's Promise since its inception. I am thrilled he has accepted our invitation to join me as Co-Chair," said Stephen Prough, Board Co-Chair and Founder of Salem Partners and Salem Partners Wealth Management. "Chris and Dean both bring unique insight and expertise, and already contribute positively in so many ways to the improvement of our city."

Frank Marshall joined the LA's Promise board in 2007 and has helped shape the organization as it has steadily improved student achievement in South Los Angeles.  He and his wife, President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy, were honored accordingly in 2010 at the LA's Promise Gala. Over the years both Frank and Kathleen have consistently introduced successful programs, partnerships and funders to LA's Promise.

"I joined the LA's Promise board because I knew I wanted to help disadvantaged students and provide them with tools to become successful," said Frank Marshall. "We have come a long way and still have so much to accomplish. I've been proud to support LA's Promise since and I am excited to take on this new leadership position."

Newest board members, Christopher Brearton and Dean Hallett both embrace the vision of preparing South LA students for college and career.  Christopher Brearton brings more than 15 years of legal and accounting experience and a wealth of success working with clients in the entertainment and sports industries.  He has a passion for helping others and believes strongly in LA's Promise's mission and approach to education reform.

"I am honored to join a strong team that is dedicated to making a difference in our local community," said Christopher Brearton. "I hope I will be able to continue building on the program's success and reach our most at-risk students."

Christopher Brearton received a Bachelor's of Business Administration from the University of Georgia and earned a Juris Doctorate from University of Virginia School of Law, graduating with honors and Order of the Coif. Christopher Brearton was named among the most promising young sports industry executives in the Sports Business Journal's annual "Forty under 40," highlighted in Variety's "Dealmakers Impact Report," and was featured in Los Angeles Business Journal's "Who's Who in L.A. Law."

Dean Hallett provides strategic direction and operational guidance to all Fox Filmed Entertainment divisions including theatrical production, worldwide theatrical marketing and distribution, worldwide home entertainment, television distribution, digital exhibition and digital media. A native of Los Angeles, Dean received his degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. He currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of Marshall Partners and is a member of USC's Board of Governors and USC Marshall's Corporate Advisory Board.

"I've admired LA's Promise for 'going deep not wide' and pouring all its efforts into one deserving community, LA's Promise Neighborhood, which surrounds a university of significant importance to me," said Dean Hallett. "I'm grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of its success."

Existing longtime board members include, among others, the CEO of the LA Fund, Megan Chernin, Ares Senior Partner John Kissick, Amgen's Vice President of Human Resources Brian MacNamee and President of Production for Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, Erik Feig.

Frank Marshall Biography

Christopher Brearton Biography

Dean Hallett Biography

About LA's Promise

LA's Promise is radically improving the education, health and social outcomes for thousands of youth in one South Los Angeles community – LA's Promise Neighborhood. Through a robust school turnaround model, LA's Promise partners with a cadre of schools committed to ensuring that students growing up in poverty receive an excellent education. 

LA's Promise Neighborhood includes two large South LA high schools (Manual Arts and West Adams Prep) and one middle school (John Muir) operated by LA's Promise in a first-of-its-kind performance contract with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Within this zone, LA's Promise transforms chronically failing public schools, opens new schools and remakes schools into community hubs that offer comprehensive support services for students and families. By doing this, LA's Promise will prepare every child in LA's Promise Neighborhood to be college and career-ready, healthy and successful in life.

CONTACT
Nichol Whiteman
[email protected] 
213.745.4928 x 5121

SOURCE LA's Promise