The American Gaming Association (AGA), the gambling industry’s top lobbying group, recently announced that it has hired Bill Miller as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Miller will begin his tenure with the AGA on January 14th, 2019.
“I am honored to join a team with a well-earned reputation for advancing the casino gaming industry’s legislative and communications priorities and addressing the issues that matter most to its members,” said Miller in a press release. “Much to the AGA’s credit, this is a remarkable time for gaming in America. The industry is growing, acceptance of gaming as mainstream entertainment has never been higher and the opportunities to continue to advance gaming’s agenda are abundant. I am eager to help lead the industry in this next era.”
A search for the new President and CEO has been going on for half a year, as the former man in that role, Geoff Freeman, resigned in May 2018 and officially left at the end of July. He took the same job with the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
“It is a testament to our industry, as well as to Geoff himself, that GMA would look to gaming as a model for managing through dynamic change and complexity to achieve success in both policy and perceptions,” said Penn National Gaming CEO Tim Wilmott, who, as the AGA’s Chairman, headed the search. “Geoff has built a strong board and a strong team. He leaves us well positioned for future success.”
Bill Miller arrives at the American Gaming Association from his position as Senior Vice President of Government Relations at Business Roundtable, a lobbying organization that pushes business-friendly interests on Capitol Hill. Business Roundtable’s membership consists of the Chief Executive Officers of many of the largest corporations in the United States.
In the press release, Tim Wilmott commented:
Bill’s extensive work with federal policymakers and as a seasoned leader of membership and industry advocacy organizations was critical to our decision. He joins a successful organization at a time when our industry is enjoying great momentum, thanks in part to a major policy achievement – the ending of the federal sports betting prohibition. On behalf of the AGA Board, I am excited to welcome Bill to the team.
The Board is extremely thankful for the leadership of Stacy Papadopoulos and Sara Slane, and the commitment of the entire AGA team during this period of transition.
Stacy Papadopoulos is the AGA’s General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Industry Services has served as the group’s interim CEO. Sara Slane is the AGA’s Senior Vice President of Public Affairs; it is Slane who has been the public voice of the AGA in policy matters, such as sports betting regulation.
Prior to his time at Business Roundtable, Miller was at Brunswick, the international corporate communications firm, not the bowling company, and was National Political Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
