Founder Lee Roy Mitchell, 85, is stepping down from the Cinemark board of directors following a highly influential tenure spanning nearly 40 years. Mitchell has served on the board since its inception and transitioned from executive chairman to member of the board in 2022.
Mitchell and his wife, Tandy, founded Cinemark in 1984 and grew it to a global company with nearly 6,000 screens across 16 countries. He served as Cinemark’s CEO until 2006.
Over the years, Mitchell’s entrepreneurial spirit and drive for innovation not only benefited Cinemark but had a significant impact on the entire exhibition industry. This impact was further supplemented by the meaningful contributions made while he served on the executive committee of the board of directors for the National Association of Theatre Owners for 20 years.
Kevin Mitchell, 54, succeeds him as a Mitchell Investors Board designee. He brings more than 35 years of experience in the motion picture industry. He founded and served as CEO of ShowBiz Cinemas, a bowling, movies, and more concept with operations in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, and Wyoming, prior to selling his interest in the company in December 2021.
Commenting on the transition, Lee Roy said, "Tandy and I founded Cinemark nearly 40 years ago and could not be more proud of the company it is today. Our strategic vision was to build a leading global cinema circuit, and I am humbled to have worked alongside such an incredible leadership team and Board to execute upon that vision. Kevin is a natural successor given his considerable industry knowledge and experience gleaned over the past three decades. I am confident that Cinemark will continue to lead the industry and succeed in progressing their strategic priorities under the strong leadership of the management team and board."