LEADERSHIP
John Lewis
Board Member
John Lewis is a seasoned entertainment industry professional with more than three decades of experience spanning talent development, casting, production, directing, broadcast leadership, and executive film oversight. His career reflects a comprehensive understanding of the entertainment business, from mentoring emerging actors and collaborating with casting directors to producing content and leading large-scale television and live productions. Today, he serves as Executive Director of the Robert Craig Films Foundation, where his industry experience directly supports impactful, issue-driven filmmaking.
In the late 1980’s through the mid-1990’s, John founded and co-owned Performing Artist Group talent agency, where he cast talent in various productions and trained actors and models to understand the television and film industry. That work laid the foundation for decades of leadership in live production, directing, and coaching.
During that season, the agency being based in Central California, became a recognized training ground for emerging talent. In 1991, a young Jeremy Renner, now known worldwide for his role as “Barton” in Marvel’s Avengers franchise, began his acting journey through one of John’s workshops led by renowned casting director Tony Shephard of Aaron Spelling Productions. Following the workshop, John hired Renner to assist in promoting additional acting classes, giving him early exposure to the professional side of the entertainment industry.
In 1990, John partnered with Robert Craig to co-found and operate the Sacramento Television & Film Commission, promoting the Sacramento DMA as a filming destination for motion pictures, television, commercials, and print campaigns. The commission supported productions including the television series Rescue 911 and a national print campaign for Pringles.
John’s influence as an acting instructor expanded in 1992 when he began teaching at John Robert Powers Talent Agencies in Sacramento, Stockton, and Fresno. During that same period, he produced the educational film Breaking Into Show Business for the Actor and Model, which featured interviews with prominent Hollywood casting directors associated with major productions such as Aliens, Back to the Future, Blade Runner, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Godfather Part II, General Hospital, and Days of Our Lives.
John also assisted in extra casting for several feature films including Raising Cain (1992) with John Lithgow, Honeymoon in Vegas (1991) with Nicholas Cage and James Caan, Save Me (1992), and Forever Young (1992), where he helped secure an early role for Colin Hanks (Tom Hank’s son) and contributed extensively during production. Throughout this time, he brought respected industry professionals to train talent at his agency, including Doris Sabbagh, casting director for Days of Our Lives, Tony Shephard (Aaron Spelling Productions), Sally Lear (Sally Lear Casting), Grant Cramer (producer, Lone Survivor starring Mark Walburg, Senior Manager of Artist Relations at The Walt Disney Company), and actors Joe E. Tata of TV series 90210, Ernie Lively of Passenger 57, Dukes of Hazzard and Fantasy Island, Scott Valentine of Family Ties, and Julie McCullough of Growing Pains.
In 1994, John co-founded XQ Model and Talent Management in Walnut Creek, California, continuing his work in artist development and industry placement.
John later reunited professionally with Robert Craig as a producer of the award-winning infomercial The Gutter Guard Show (2007). In 2008, he wrote and appeared in multiple televised news segments on CBS’s Good Day Sacramento, promoting Gutterglove Gutter Guard products, which he co-owned with Craig at the time.
For the last 25 years, John served as the live video director and technical director for the television show Back to The Altar, overseeing broadcast production and technical execution. He has also been an acting coach and assistant director for many theatrical productions, overseeing up to 250 cast members and production participants.
John and his wife are Executive Producers on Robert Craig Films’ feature film No Address (2025), a full-length motion picture addressing homelessness in America. In May 2023, they also served as Executive Directors for the sex trafficking film MAYA, continuing their involvement in socially impactful storytelling.
Two years ago, John lost a close friend to mental illness and homelessness. His friend was a comedian, actor, and military veteran who had been part of John’s talent agencies in the 1990’s. This personal loss has further strengthened John’s commitment to films and initiatives that address critical social issues.
John and his wife Jet have long served their community and continue to lead their neighborhood watch group. He is a lead contributor on the community app NextDoor and helped form the neighborhood group “Good Neighbors,” serving as a security advisor and private patrol advisor in coordination with local officials.
Since 2010, John has been a licensed minister, leading or co-leading missionary trips internationally. He has also served for 20 years as a volunteer job coach to a young man with Down Syndrome at Chuck E Cheese.
With a lifelong passion for film and television, combined with hands-on industry experience and executive leadership, John remains committed to using the power of media to bring awareness, hope, and meaningful change.
​
​