Longtime Capitol Hill lobbyist Bill Miller was formally named as the new president and CEO of the American Gaming Association Tuesday.
The gaming industry’s Washington D.C. trade association said in a statement its board voted to award Miller the post following a four-month search. When he takes over Jan. 14, he will become just the third person to head the AGA since the organization was founded in 1995.
“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,” Miller said in a statement. “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.”
Miller has been the senior vice president of government relations at the Washington D.C.-based Business Roundtable since 2012. CDC Gaming Reports first reported Miller’s expected hiring on Dec. 11.
A seven-member search committee was formed in June and led by AGA Board Chairman Tim Wilmott, CEO of Penn National Gaming.
“Bill’s extensive work with federal policymakers and as a seasoned leader of membership and industry advocacy organizations was critical to our decision,” Wilmott said in a statement. “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.”
In the last few years, the AGA encouraged the recognition of gaming’s role as a mainstream U.S. entertainment business that produces a yearly economic impact of $261 billion, supports more than 1.8 million jobs, and provides $40.8 billion annually in tax revenue to 40 states with commercial and American Indian operated casinos.
In an email message to the AGA’s membership, Wilmott said Miller was “one of the most respected government affairs leaders” in Washington D.C.
Wilmott said Miller joins the AGA “at a time when our industry can benefit from his unique skill set. Bill will bring with him more than three decades of experience on Capitol Hill and from leadership positions within membership organizations like ours.”
Wilmott thanked interim AGA CEO Stacy Papadopoulos and AGA Senior Vice President Sara Slane, “and the commitment of the entire AGA team during this period of transition.”
Miller follows Geoff Freeman, who departed at the end of July to become CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Freeman replaced Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., who helped create the AGA. Fahrenkopf retired in 2013
Miller has been the primary liaison to Capitol Hill and the White House for the Business Roundtable, which is comprised exclusively of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies, representing all sectors of the economy.
Miller was also senior vice president and national political director for U.S. Chamber of Commerce for almost 13 years where he coordinated grassroots operations and implemented lobbying campaigns for issues facing the business community.
In between the Business Roundtable and the chamber, Miller spent nearly a year with Brunswick Group, a corporate communications firm, where he handled financial and investor communications and global positioning for U.S. and international corporations.
Miller has also appeared on network and cable news broadcasts.
Prior to his high-powered association positions, Miller started several businesses, including a bank, restaurants and a television pilot.
On Capitol Hill, Miller served as chief of staff to former Republican Congresswoman Constance Morella of Maryland from 1994 to 1999.
Miller is a graduate of the University of Maryland and earned a law degree from Washington College of Law at American University.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgamingreports.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
