Frank Fahrenkopf, CEO of the American Gaming Assn. since its 1995 start-up and one of Washington’s most powerful lobbyists, is stepping down on June 30.

Fahrenkopf
Fahrenkopf
The 71-year-old has agreed to remain on as consultant through the end of the year to help guide the leadership transition.
Fahrenkopf has been an aggressive spokesperson on gambling and political issues on high-profile outlets such as “Meet The Press,” “Hardball,” “Face the Nation,” “ Today Show,” and “ Good Morning America.”

The Brooklyn native and University of Reno graduate began his career representing Nevada casinos and heading the Republican party in the Silver State.

Fahrenkopf rose to chairman of the Republication National Committee, serving for six of Ronald Reagan’s eight years in office and continues to serve as co-chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates. He joined the AGA from the Hogan and Hartson law firm.

Richard Haddrill, chairman of the AGA and Bally Technologies, said in a statement that Fahrenkopf has been a “has been a steady, thoughtful leader through a period of great change for our industry and has steered us through some of its most difficult challenges.”

The AGA counts among Fahrenkopf’s achievements the creation of the National Center for Responsible Gaming, success of the Global Gaming Expo and G2E Asia shows, and the set-up of the AGA Diversity Task Force and Global Gaming Women program.