Following the announcementon Friday that Glenn Williamson is leaving his post as president of production,producer John Lyons is joining Focus Features as its next president ofproduction.

Lyons will report directlyto co-presidents David Linde and James Schamus and, unlike Williamson, will bebased in New York City at Focus headquarters where he will work alongsideexecutive vice president of production Joe Picharillo, executive vicepresident, acquisitions and co-productions Amy Kaufman and vice president,production, Kahli Small.

He begins at the companythis month in a consultancy capacity while Williamson winds down his tenure.

Lyons most recently producedSundance hit Pieces Of April forInDiGent which will be released by United Artists later this year. His otherproducing credits are the two blockbusting Austin Powers sequels AustinPowers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and AustinPowers In Goldmember, Paul ThomasAnderson's first two films Hard Eight and Boogie Nights, andMyles Connell's The Opportunists whichstarred Christopher Walken and Cyndi Lauper.

"John has been that rareproducer who has successfully shuttled between big and small films, and betweenstage and screen, in the process establishing excellent relationships withcreative people - which is precisely what motivates us," said Linde and Schamusin a joint statement. "We're delighted that he has accepted our invitation tojoin us at Focus."

Prior to being a producer,Lyons was a casting director and worked closely with the Coen brothers on RaisingArizona, Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo and The Big Lebowski. His other casting credits include Dirty RottenScoundrels, Henry & June, Lorenzo's Oil and City Hall.

Earlier in his career, hewas casting director for theatre groups Playwrights Horizons and ManhattanTheatre Club.

"I've watched withadmiration and a bit of envy at what David and James and their team have beendoing, and I share the vision they've created for this singular and dynamiccompany," said Lyons in a statement. "I'm looking forward to working witheveryone at Focus to put together a terrific slate of films with top talentboth in front of and behind the camera."