Dr. Maria Simms (WFI President): World traveler, diplomat, speaker, humanitarian, scholar and doctor are only a few solid phrases that help describe the work and background of Dr. Maria Simms. She has had a wide range of experience in the fields of medicine, finance, humanitarian causes, social service and entertainment. She is sought after by Presidents, Royalty, diplomats and civic leaders. Born in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, Dr. Simms was one of the first few women ever to enter medical school in her native Argentina. After graduating in 1962, she came to the US to further her education at Brigham Young University where she majored in humanities. In 1977, Dr. Simms graduated from the University of California as a Medical Diplomat and in 1980 was named President of "Triple A Medical Clinics, Inc." in Los Angeles. Formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors of "Neighborhood for Peace, Inc." an organization created to educate and help gang members get off the streets, Dr. Simms is currently President of both "Mid-Town Services, Inc." in Los Angeles, and "Lake Side Estates, Inc." in Arizona. She has been distinguished to be among the "Who's Who in the World" and the "Who's Who in American Women." A member of such select organizations as "Southern California Alliance for Survival" and "Order for the Easter Star", Dr. Simms is presently engaged in real estate investments, technology and environmental medicine, as well as domestic and international finances.

Howard H. Lo, Director: Mr. Lo is the CEO and President of Universal Professional Exchange Association (UPE), an education and technology consulting fin-n in California since 1993. He was titled Dana Scholar in 1996 when he developed the intemet-based multimedia education system for the UCLA School of Medicine. Then he did educational Web development for NBC. He is the creator of "Dr. Al', which is an artificial intelligent engine for personalized Distance Education. Mr. Lo has a MS in Computer Science and MA in Education. Mr. Lo has extensive business development experience, strong international relation, and unique combined background in both education and technology.

Ms. Susan Benson: Oscar Winner Suzanne M. Benson is a luminary in the film industry. Winning the coveted Academy Award in 1986 for Best Visual Effects for Aliens Suzanne has been a Producer and/or Supervisor for Visual Effects for films such as 20th Century Fox's "Jewel of the Nile", Pressman Films' "Streetfighter", Columbia Pictures' "The Frenchman" and many others. She is a member of Women in Film and is head of Bittersweet Productions. A vital part of the World Film Institute, Suzanne has been an integral part of WFI for the last few years.

Dr. Yoshiro Nakamats: Dr. Nakamats is the epitome of the successful inventor. Holding more than 3,300 patents the good Dr. holds more than double the 1,093 held by Thomas Edison. His next closest competitor holds just 400. Holder of New York's International Exposition of Inventors grand prize, Dr. Nakamats is the inventor of the floppy disk. He also hold claim to the compact disc, the compact disc player, the digital watch, a unique golf putter, and a water-powered engine. Dr. Nakamats invented the Nakamascope Movie System. He also invented a valuable lens system for movie theatres. Dr. Nakamats says, "In my country, the drive to succeed - and the competition - is unbelievably intense. From early on, Japanese children are under enormous pressure to learn. I was fortunate that my parents encouraged my natural curiosity along with my academic learning from the very beginning. They gave me the freedom to create and invent - which I've been doing for as long as I can remember. "

Mr. Arthur Snyder: Having served the City of Los Angeles as a member of the City Council for almost 20 years, Mr. Snyder now is Senior Counsel of his own law firm. While on the City Council, he was Chairman of both the planning and Public Safety Committees. He has also represented the city on the California Coastal Commission. Presently, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Central City Association and is a member of the Downtown Strategic Plan Advisory Committee. His current law practice includes a wide variety of legal areas including government advocacy, real estate, civil litigation, administrative law and municipal contracts and franchises. He is a member of the Federal, American and California Bar Associations, the American Trial Lawyers Association, Legion Lex, and the American Judicature Society.

Mr. Howard Koch - (Posthumously): Mr. Koch was former Production Chief at Paramount Studios and was one of the most successful independent producers in Hollywood. Among his many films are the blockbuster hits Ghost, Airplane, Plaza Suite, The Odd Couple, and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. His career at Paramount spanned over thirty-three years, an unprecedented relationship between a studio and a filmaker. He was actively involved n the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences including serving as its President from 1977 to 1979. He produced a total of eight Emmy-nominated Academy Awards programs from 1972 to 1983. Many honors have been bestowed upon him, including the Frank Capra Award from the Directors Guild of America (1991) and the David O. Selznick Lifetime Achievement Award from the Producers Gild of America in 1995. WFI will always remember him as a mentor and a Founding Director.

Mr. Oliver Vadas: Oliver is a Senior Marketing Executive with a strong engineering background. He is founder of Novel Digital, a multimedia publishing house that has been in operation since 1978. Oliver serves on the board of directors of several public and private organizations as well as chambers of commerce, most recently he has joined as a board member of BITNET, IN THE City of Burlington, Canada. He is a graduate of MIT, McGill and the University of Michigan and holds a Bachelor Degree in electrical and a Masters Degree in electronic engineering from the University of Technology in Budapest Hungary. With his unique combination of marketing and engineering backgrounds Oliver is able to bring corporations into the digital communications age. He is co-publisher of several printed and electronic publications.

Michelle Simms: An alumnus of Pepperdine University with a major in Business Management, Ms. Simms is also a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Van Mar Academy of Motion Picture & Television Acting and completed instruction from the Tepper Gallegos Commercial Workshop bringing her expertise of business and the Arts to the Board of the World Film Institute. She has lent her hand to organizing the Family Film Awards in association with the World Film Institute and volunteers time with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Inmate Welfare program. As co-owner of Midtown Services, Ms. Simms has overseen the running of business that includes apartment complexes and land and urban development in California, Arizona and Nevada. Her focus in business and love of the Arts are will bring an invaluable focus to the work of the World Film Institute

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