June 5, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: John Pavlik - (310) 247-3000

Beverly Hills, CA -- After 30 years as traffic and security chief for the annual Academy Awards presentations, Jerry Moon is hanging up his baton.

Since 1971, Moon has coordinated all police, fire and traffic control and private security activities associated with the Academy Awards ceremonies.

"It's been a good, long, safe and secure run," said Bruce Davis, executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "Our goal with security has always been to provide an environment in which our guests can feel safe and comfortable, and Jerry has created that environment for us year after year.

"Fortunately for us, while he was doing that, he brought along a number of people within the Awards security organization who could step in for him. We have an excellent pool of candidates with major experience with the Awards security operation from which to select a replacement."

Moon has been retired from the Disney organization since 1988 and lives in the Dana Point area.

"It's time," Moon said. "Thirty years is long enough. I've been noticing an increasing reluctance on my part to make my way up to Beverly Hills for meetings and to downtown Los Angeles for the show. And the show gets bigger and bigger each year, and demands more and more attention. I'm afraid I'm liking this retirement life just a little too much. Besides, this will give the Academy time to get a year's experience under the belt of a new security chief before they move to a brand new venue at Hollywood and Highland. I think that will be invaluable."

Moon's association with Oscar presentations started with the 43rd Academy Awards, which was held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 1971, while he was chief of security for Walt Disney Productions. Before his Disney post, Moon spent 21 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, retiring with the rank of detective sergeant.

Ironically, for a man who knows every nook and cranny of the Music Center and Shrine Auditorium venues, Moon has never seen an Academy Awards show.

"Maybe they'll let me sit in the audience next year," Moon said. "That would certainly be a treat."

"I'm pretty sure we can work something out," Davis said.

Editors: A downloadable photo of Jerry Moon is available online at www.oscars.org/press/photos