Mission statement
Better Times Productions, LLC produces audio visual and printed materials that provide information delivered in a unique and entertaining manner. More than information, Better Times offers through its work, positive solutions to problems that affect and afflict millions of individuals and their families. Understanding, help and hope are key elements of every Better Times Production. To us, no question or cry for help should go unanswered.
“We live and breathe the work we produce in hopes that what we do
inspires and helps someone to have a better life
in the world we live in.”
-John Frederick
John Frederick, founder & CEO
John Charles Frederick was born and attended schools in Salem, Oregon, graduating there from Willamette University with a pre law degree in History.
Upon graduation he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy where he spent the next ten years on active duty.
Frederick served at sea aboard the Cruisers USS Newport News and USS Springfield.
As a Lieutenant he was designated a Public Information Specialist and was assigned to the Pentagon as the
Executive Officer for the Office of Information for the Armed Forces.
He later served as Public Affairs Officer for the Commander Second Fleet and NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic.
His last tour on active duty was as Motion Picture and Television Officer for the Navy in Hollywood.
Upon release from active duty, Frederick began a career as a writer and producer of films.
In the next three years he wrote and produced films for such talents as Rod Serling, Dick Van Dyke, Glenn Ford and James Drury (The Virginian). In 1976, along with two partners, he formed FMS Productions, still a thriving company to this day. FMS had a commercial division, and an entertainment division which produced the first "Outtakes" shows for NBC. Primarily, however, FMS became known for breakthrough films in such areas of human need as alcohol and drug addiction and recovery. In 1975 he produced the first "Recovery" film, Living Sober, The Class of '76. Frederick himself has been in recovery since December of 1970. Over the next 25 years Frederick produced and wrote films on such topics as addiction, child abuse and domestic violence among many others. On the Navy side, still in the Naval Reserve, he wrote a film for John Wayne entitled Home For the Seabees, which garnered raves Navywide. Frederick eventually attained the rank of Captain, and retired after serving for a precedent setting three years as Commanding Officer of Combat Camera Group, the descendent of the old WWII John Ford movie unit.
Still at FMS, the company, under Frederick's creative guidance produced dozens of films that won critical and audience acceptance throughout the world. He was awarded 5 Cine Golden Eagles, over a dozen Cindy awards from the Information Film Producers of America, and at least two Best in Festival Awards from the Berlin Film Festival and the British Medical Association, plus the Chris, the Blue Ribbon from the American Film Festival and many others. Well produced on modest budgets, the FMS films have grossed over 40 million dollars. More importantly, they have helped thousands of individuals and their families and have been shown in treatment and informational settings throughout the world. Through the years, Frederick served as Vice President, President and Chairman of the Board at FMS.
After leaving FMS in 2003, Frederick traveled widely and pursued his twin hobbies of golf and the collection of signed memorabilia. After considering all options, including retirement, John Frederick threw himself into a new challenge, the formation of a new company, Better Times Productions, LLC. It's role, like its name, is designed to show the way to all who want to know the way to... Better Times.
Al Bower, president
Alan Bower, President of Better Times Productions, LLC, grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and attended the University of Kansas, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.
He went on to do graduate work at Harvard in Boston, MA and American University in Washington DC.
After graduating, he taught high school biology and coached basketball for several years on an Indian reservation in Kansas.
In 1974, he left the teaching profession and began a business career in sales and marketing with the Chrysler
Corporation. He then moved on to a distinguished career as a sales executive in Marketing Management for a large fortune 500 company.
He was responsible for not only developing the Federal Government sales division, but was also responsible for developing training programs for them.
Mr. Bower is an active member of the Board of Directors of the Mankind Project and Ventegra (GPO) where he uses his expertise in marketing to help them develop new marketing strategies and expand their businesses. He has been actively involved in the field of chemical dependency treatment and rehabilitation since 1985 and has known Better Times Productions founder, John Frederick, for over 20 years. After retiring in 2009, he was asked by Mr. Frederick to be an advisor to Better Times Productions. In 2010, he was promoted to President in an effort to utilize his skills in marketing, increase sales and develop new marketing strategies. The films Better Times Productions produce are aimed at people who suffer from chemical dependency and our veterans with chemical dependencies and disabilities. Better Times Production’s vision is to provide motivation and hope to men and women who struggle with addictions and disabilities by creating inspirational films focused on the miracle of recovery. Alan Bower is currently living in Southern California and is the father of one son, two daughters, and is blessed with four grandchildren.