AGA names interim CEO
Current legal counsel Stacy Papadopoulos to replace departing Geoff Freeman until a permanent replacement is found
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has announced the appointment of current legal counsel Stacy Papadopoulos as its interim CEO until a permanent successor is appointed.
Current long serving CEO Geoff Freeman, who has been in the role since May 2013, will depart the AGA at the end of July to take up the role of president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association.
In a statement, AGA chairman Tim Wilmott, who also serves as CEO of Penn National Gaming, paid tribute to Freeman and Papadopoulos: “We are grateful to Geoff for his leadership over the last five years and we wish to thank Stacy for taking the helm of the AGA while we identify its next CEO,”
Stacy Papadopoulos first joined the AGA in 2014 as general counsel before also assuming responsibility for industry and shared services in 2016, where she is responsible for development, implementation and supporting the board of directors.
In addition to confirming the interim appointment of Papadopoulos the AGA has announced the creation of a seven-member search committee to select its new CEO. The committee includes Tim Wilmott, CEO of Rush Street Gaming, Greg Carlin, and Trevor Croker CEO and managing director of Aristocrat.
The land-based casino members of the committee include Caesars Entertainment president Mark Frissora, Jim Murren, CEO of MGM Resorts International, Ron Reese, senior vice president of Las Vegas Sands Corporation and from the tribal gaming sphere Bill Lance Jr, secretary of commerce for the Chickasaw Nation.
Wilmott added: “The growing impact of our industry, including the opportunity for states to offer legal sports betting, makes this an especially exciting time to lead our membership toward a vibrant future.”