The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has appointed Gregory Goeckner as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel.  The announcement was made today by HFPA President Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly. Goeckner will serve as the chief day-to-day business officer of the HFPA and will be responsible for directing outside counsel in the HFPA’s legal efforts, developing the Association’s business plan and budget, supervising contracts with vendors, overseeing finances and audits, advising in the grant making process, devising brand enhancing strategies and increasing alliances while identifying and pursuing other opportunities within the industry. “We were thoroughly impressed by Greg and his credentials,” said Takla-O’Reilly. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective that will help further the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s efforts.” Goeckner’s previous experience includes being the Executive Vice President, General Counsel, for the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA).  While at MPAA, Goeckner managed the Association’s legal affairs activities, coordinated extensive intellectual property protection litigation on behalf of MPAA’s member studios, advised the Association’s ratings and advertising departments, and handled tax and regulatory compliance and labor and employment issues. Prior to the MPAA, Goeckner served as special counsel at O’Melveny & Myers, representing high-profile organizations and companies including IBM, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Columbia Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Security Pacific National Bank, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Home Box Office, The National Football League, Price Waterhouse, Ernst & Young, Prudential-Bache Securities, Lockheed and Chubb Insurance. He received his Juris Doctor from the Yale Law School and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois.