WASHINGTON ? At the December annual meeting of the American Gaming Association (AGA), the AGA board of directors elected Keith Smith, president and CEO of Boyd Gaming Corporation, to serve as chairman of the organization. Smith, who first joined the Board in 2007 and served as AGA vice chairman for the past year, succeeds Thomas J. (T.J.) Matthews, former chairman of International Game Technology (IGT). Richard Haddrill, president, CEO and director of Bally Technologies, Inc., replaces Smith as the AGA’s new vice chairman.

“T.J.’s outstanding leadership during these difficult economic times was invaluable, and we are extremely grateful for all of his hard work on behalf of our industry,” said Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the AGA.  “The coming year promises to bring both challenges and opportunities, and I am confident that Keith and Dick will steer us in the right direction. Together, they boast more than 35 years of gaming industry experience. They will maintain the board’s important balance between the operating and manufacturing sides of our industry and work tirelessly to protect the interests of our organization’s diverse membership.”

In addition to these transitions, the AGA elected two new directors. Patti S. Hart, president and CEO of IGT, will replace Matthews, and Timothy J. Wilmott, president and COO of Penn National Gaming, Inc., will take the seat previously occupied by Peter M. Carlino, Penn National’s chairman and CEO.

Haddrill also was re-elected to the AGA board of directors for a three-year term, as were Nick Khin, president of the Americas for Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., and Gary Loveman, chairman, president and CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.

The other current members of the AGA board are Brian R. Gamache, chairman and CEO of WMS Gaming Inc.; Gordon R. Kanofsky, CEO and vice chairman of Ameristar Casinos, Inc.; Virginia McDowell, president and COO of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.; Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE, and Larry Ruvo, senior managing director of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada.

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.