MUMBAI: The California Film Commission has elected Keith Weaver as its chairman of for its 2012 term. Weaver replaces IATSE official Michael F. Miller, Jr. who will continue as a board member.

"Keith brings a powerful blend of public affairs and entertainment industry experience that will help advance our mission of increasing production and creating jobs in California," California Film Commission executive director Amy Lemischhas been quoted to have said. "He's as much at home in Sacramento as he is in Hollywood, and he knows how to get things done."

Weaver's day job is executive vp of worldwide government affairs for Sony Pictures Entertainment, where he has worked for over a decade. He has been on the board of the film commission since 2008.

Before he joined Sony in 2002, Weaver was staff director for the California State Redistricting Office; and was manager of community and government relations for Kaiser Permanente.

Besides Weaver, Steve Dayan, business agent for Teamsters local 399, was elected vice chairman while Hilary Armstrong, a documentary producer was elected secretary.

There are 21 members of the commission's board. They advise the commission on movie and TV related policies, and oversee the state's annual grant of $100 million in tax breaks to keep productions in the state.

Members of the board are appointed by the governor, president of the state Senate and speaker of the state Assembly.