Fithian grew up in Washington, D.C., as the son of longtime U.S. Rep. Floyd Fithian of Indiana, and later began his career working as an outside counsel (code for lobbyist) for clients including the Major League Baseball Players Association. Ultimately, cinema won him over, and in 1999 he was named president of the National Association of Theatre Owners, the start of a decades-long reign that will come to an end May 1, when he turns the title over to Michael P. O’Leary.