Jim Berk Biography

Jim Berk is Chief Executive Officer for Participant Media. Participant believes that a good story well told can truly make a difference in how one sees the world. Whether it is a feature film, documentary or other form of media, Participant exists to tell compelling, entertaining stories that also create awareness of the real issues that shape our lives. Participant has released over 35 films including "Good Night, and Good Luck," "An Inconvenient Truth," "The Visitor," "The Kite Runner," "Food, Inc.," "Fair Game," "Waiting for 'Superman,'" "Page One," "The Help" and "Contagion." Participant also operates content creation and/or distribution operations in digital, publishing, live events, and television. Participant’s equity investments include Summit Entertainment, Me to We, and the digital Social Action Network: TakePart.com.

Prior to Participant, Jim was Chairman and CEO of Gryphon Colleges Corporation, where he was responsible for the formation, platform acquisition, and establishment of a private company operating for-profit post education schools. Before Gryphon, Jim served as President and CEO and Board Director for Fairfield Communities, Inc., America’s largest independent vacation ownership and resort companies.

Prior to Fairfield, Jim was President and CEO of Hard Rock Cafe International, a global entertainment and leisure company in which Hard Rock Cafe is the core business. During his tenure, Jim expanding to 104 Cafes in 29 countries led the creation of a music label, critically acclaimed weekly music TV series, live music venues, hotels, and the NBA City. Prior to joining Hard Rock, Jim was the founding executive of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Foundation. Creating a non-profit, entertainment production company, he produced live concerts, festivals, television programs and records, and led the creation of national programming including GRAMMY Showcase, GRAMMY in the Schools, GRAMMY Festivals, and GRAMMY Records.

Jim enjoyed similar success as the youngest principal in the history of the 725-school Los Angeles Unified School District, when he was appointed Principal of the Alexander Hamilton High Schools Complex in 1990. Prior to his principalship, Jim founded the Hamilton Academy of Music in Los Angeles, creating the largest comprehensive performing arts magnet in the western United States. His first job upon graduation - at the age of 21 - was as a public high school music teacher. There, he reopened the music department and built the program to one of the largest music programs in California.

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