WASHINGTON – The executive committee of the American Gaming Association (AGA) is pleased to announce the formation of a seven-member search committee to select the next chief executive of the gaming industry. The new CEO will replace Geoff Freeman, who will be departing the AGA as of the end of July to become president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association. Freeman has been president and chief executive officer of the AGA since May 2013.
The committee will be led by Tim Wilmott, CEO of Penn National Gaming and chairman of board. Its members will include:
- Greg Carlin, co-founder and CEO of Rush Street Gaming;
- Trevor Croker, CEO and managing director of Aristocrat;
- Mark Frissora, president and CEO of Caesars Entertainment;
- Bill Lance, Jr., secretary of commerce of Chickasaw Nation;
- Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International; and
- Ron Reese, SVP, global communications and corporate affairs of Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
“The gaming industry is widely recognized as among the most popular of consumer entertainment experiences and we take seriously our role in providing this experience safely and responsibly,” said Wilmott. "We are also proud to support the creation of strong jobs and tremendous economic value for the communities in which we operate across the United States. 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.”
Stacy Papadopoulos, general counsel and SVP of industry services at the AGA, has been appointed as interim CEO until a candidate is named.
“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,” said Wilmott.
The search will be supported by Spencer Stuart, one of the world’s leading executive search consulting firms. Leslie Hortum, managing director, will lead the search.
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About AGA: The American Gaming Association is the premier national trade group representing the $261 billion U.S. casino industry, which supports 1.8 million jobs in 40 states. AGA members include commercial and Tribal casino operators, suppliers and other entities affiliated with the gaming industry. It is the mission of the AGA to achieve sound policies and regulations consistent with casino gaming’s modern appeal and vast economic contributions.