Cheryl Rhoden, WGA West's longstanding communications director, has been forced out in the latest in a series of high-level departures under the guild's new elected leadership, it was disclosed Thursday.

Four days from her 20th anniversary with the guild, Rhoden confirmed that she was no longer employed by WGAW but declined to discuss the circumstances of her exit.

"I love writers for going on 20 years. It has been an honor to work on their behalf," said Rhoden, who was well known for spending time at her ranch retreat. "For myself, I'm going to take some time off to smell the horses."

Guild officials also declined to discuss the matter, saying only that "we wish Cheryl the best with her future endeavors."

Rhoden joins a growing list of high-profile guild staffers that have been shown the door since president Patric Verrone and his allies swept the September election, vowing to take a more aggressive stand in organizing and negotiations.

Executive director John McLean was fired less than a week after the election because, as Verrone said at the time, "a clean sweep deserves a fresh start." McLean, who was not seen as a committed unionizer, was replaced on an interim basis by David Young, who has extensive experience leading organizing efforts.

General counsel Marshall Goldberg was removed in November.

The guild's new leadership has sought to aggressively expand its jurdiction in such areas as animation, cable, independent films and video games. It is currently engaged in a major campaign to organize reality TV writers and story editors as well as to demand that writers have a say in the placement of products in their shows.