AGA chief Fahrenkopf steps down
Fahrenkopf has been the first and only chief executive of lobbying organisation since its inception in July 1995
Frank Fahrenkopf has stepped down from his role as chief executive of the American Gaming Association (AGA) after more than 17 years in the role.
Having served as the lobbying organisation’s first and only CEO since its inception in 1995, Fahrenkopf informed the AGA he would be leaving in December 2011 and succession planning has been active since that point.
“I have enjoyed my time at the helm of this incredible organisation 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,” Fahrenkopf said. “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-and-half years.”
An executive search firm has been retained to identify Fahrenkopf’s successor. After 30 June, he will be retained as a consultant to the AGA to assist with the transition through at least the end of 2013.
Brooklyn-born Fahrenkopf, a lawyer by profession, spent much of his career serving as chairman of the Republican Party for six of President Reagan’s eight years at the White House.
He has been a staunch supporter of federal online gambling regulation. Last year he attacked senior politicians for viewing gambling as “spending eternity in hell with the devil”: “I’ve never seen this level of dysfunction in our Congress before,” he said, referring to efforts to pass a federal online poker bill.
Several casino executives have spoken out to commend Fahrenkopf for his efforts during his tenure.
Richard Haddrill, chairman of Bally Technologies and chairman of the AGA said Fahrenkopf had 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”, while Gary Loveman, chairman, president and CEO of Caesars Entertainment, said he has led the AGA “with unique understanding of both federal politics and the gaming industry”.
Fahrenkopf gave his views on online gambling to eGaming Review North America last year. Read it here.