SAN FRANCISCO—Today, Falcon Studios Group announced that company president Chris Ward is retiring after twenty years in the adult industry. Ward, who co-founded Raging Stallion Studios with JD Slater in 1999, lead one of the world’s largest gay porn studios and built the Falcon Studios Group through a series of mergers that brought Falcon, Raging Stallion, Hot House, and various fetish brands under one umbrella. In 2015, the Falcon Studios Group had over 100 DVD releases, making it the largest single producer of gay erotica in the world.
Amid Ward's departure, NakedSword CEO and AEBN co-owner Tim Valenti will assume the role of president of Falcon Studios Group. Ward will remain at Falcon in his current capacity till the end of the year, and then in an advisory role thru Spring of 2016.
“I have lived a dream working in our industry. I started out in a basement and grew my company into something far larger than I ever thought possible," Ward said of his time in XXX. "So many people helped me during these many years and I would not be able to be in a position to retire without their hard work and support. There are too many people to name, but without them my career would not have been possible.”
Ward remains one of the co-owners of AEBN but says he has no plans to actively participate in the industry after his departure: “I can be a very controlling person, and I want to clear out and to give Tim the space he needs to take Falcon into the future. I am thankful for that and want to spend the next thirty years doing something different…and maybe telling stories about ‘the good old days.’”
"I have a great respect for the legacy that Chris Ward is leaving behind and for the legacy of the Falcon brand in general," Valenti said of Ward's departure. "Chris and I have worked together for many years and I know what it takes to run the group he has worked so hard to build. I'm excited about this opportunity for all of the brands involved. All of our companies are positioned for great success moving forward."
Valenti will still be at the helm of NakedSword, he said. "I will still be running NakedSword and overseeing the day-to-day operations of both companies. NakedSword is my baby and will always be a priority to me. In fact, we are working on a lot of new and exciting changes for 2016 and NakedSword is strongly positioned for a bright future."
Valenti closed by saying, "Myself and everyone at NakedSword wish Chris all the best the world has to offer during his well earned retirement."
Ward began his career as an actor/director at Hot House in 1996 and released his first film, The Hole Punch, that same year. He became one of Hot House's main directors, working directly with the legendary Steven Scarborough, who Ward considers his mentor. A few years later, Ward and Slater (together with Kent Taylor) formed Raging Stallion Studios, which quickly became a major player in the industry. In subsequent years Falcon and Hot House were acquired, forming the current Falcon Studios Group. Ward has received over fifty industry awards for his own efforts, and several hundred more for films he produced over the years, making him one of the most recognized directors in the industry. He won best director at the GayVNs three years in a row, working with his co-directors Ben Leon, Tony Dimarco, and Steve Cruz. Of the many films directed by Ward, the standouts include Arabesque, Grunts, To The Last Man, Manifesto, Giants, Raiders of the Lost Arse, and many other noted blockbusters. He also directed more fisting films than any other single director.
Ward, who holds a Ph.D. in history and has published several books, plans to get back to writing. He will split his time between San Francisco and France, enjoying his partner (Mo Duran), his cats, and his wine cellar.
Pictured, l-r: Chris Ward, Tim Valenti.
