T.J. Matthews Elected as Chairman of AGA Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. ? At the December annual meeting of the American Gaming Association (AGA), the AGA board of directors elected Thomas J. (T.J.) Matthews, chairman and CEO of International Game Technology, to serve as chairman of the AGA.  Matthews, who served as vice chairman of the AGA board for the past two years, succeeds Gary Loveman, chairman, CEO and president of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., and commenced his two-year term as of the beginning of the year.  Keith Smith, chairman and CEO of Boyd Gaming Corporation was elected to replace Matthews as vice chairman, and Loveman will remain a member of the AGA board.

“Gary’s leadership over the past two years has helped the AGA thrive and continue its development as an important and effective voice for the gaming industry in Washington and nationwide.  We are grateful for the work he has done on behalf of the entire industry,” said Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the AGA.  “The current economic recession will pose great challenges for the gaming industry in the next two years, and I am confident that T.J. and Keith are the right men to steer the AGA through these difficult times. T.J. and Keith bring expertise in the manufacturing and operating sides of the industry, respectively, and will create an important and necessary balance that represents all AGA members.”

The AGA elected two new directors to the board in 2009.  James J. Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE, will occupy the seat previously held by former MGM MIRAGE chairman and CEO Terry Lanni; and Nick Khin, president and CEO of Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. will take the place on the board of former Aristocrat president and CEO Tim J. Parrott. 

Matthews and Smith also were re-elected to the AGA board of directors, as was Daniel R. Lee, chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., Gordon R. Kanofsky, CEO and vice chairman of Ameristar Casinos, Inc., and Larry Ruvo, senior managing partner of Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada.

The other current members of the AGA board are Peter M. Carlino, chairman and CEO of Penn National Gaming, Inc.; Brian R. Gamache, president and CEO of WMS Gaming Inc.; Richard Haddrill, president, CEO and director of Bally Technologies, Inc.; Virginia McDowell, president and COO of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.; and Stephen A. Wynn, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts, Ltd.

The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.