Fahrenkopf to step down at American Gaming Association
February 11, 2013
Frank
Fahrenkopf, the president and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA)
since the its founding in 1995, has announced he is stepping down from his
position effective June 30, 2013. He will be retained as a consultant to the
AGA to assist with the transition through at least the end of 2013.
“I have enjoyed my time at
the helm of this incredible organization and am proud to have represented an
industry that provides tens of millions of men and women with the best
entertainment value in the world,” said Fahrenkopf in a prepared statement. “It
has been a true honor to work with so many passionate and innovative leaders as
we have moved the industry forward during the past 17 years.”
The
AGA board and Fahrenkopf have been involved in succession planning over the
course of the past two years and reached an agreement in December 2011 on the
date when he would step down. An executive search firm has been retained to
identify Fahrenkopf’s successor.
“I cannot begin to express
the tremendous gratitude and respect our entire board holds for Frank,” said
Richard Haddrill, chairman of Bally Technologies, Inc. and chairman of the AGA.
“He has been a steady, thoughtful leader through a period of great change for
our industry and has steered us through some of its most difficult challenges.
The fact that today our industry is recognized as a vital part of the global
economy is in no small part due to his tireless efforts and leadership.”
Fahrenkopf noted that when
the AGA was created, the perception of the gaming industry in Washington and
throughout much of the country was based more on myth than reality. From its
first day of operation, the AGA’s mission has been to create a better
understanding of the industry by bringing the facts about it to the general
public, elected officials, other decision makers and the media through
education and advocacy.
The AGA has enjoyed
tremendous success under Fahrenkopf’s leadership. Gaming industry leaders cited
the positive findings and recommendations of the National Gambling Impact Study
Commission, the establishment and good works of the National Center for
Responsible Gaming, and the worldwide success of industry trade shows Global
Gaming Expo and G2E Asia as watershed accomplishments.
“There’s
no doubt that Frank’s political savvy has been instrumental in protecting and
promoting our industry’s interests on Capitol Hill, but the impact of his
leadership stretches well beyond Washington,” said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO
of MGM Resorts International. “From the very start, he understood the need to
unify the industry in addressing key issues like responsible gaming and
diversity, programs that are at the cornerstone of how we do business. It hasn’t always been easy to bring our
disparate group together, but he did it.
Frank’s legacy at the AGA is testament to what we can accomplish
together.”
Did you enjoy this article? Click here to subscribe to the magazine.
