The Hill – Geoff Freeman, the AGA’s president and chief executive, said bulking up in staff and consulting are part of his plan to create a more aggressive casino trade association that can operate outside of the Beltway.
“It’s part of a big shift that we are making. We are becoming a more proactive group that is working to define the image of the gaming industry. It’s less about legislation and more about defining the image of this industry, not in just Washington but in the states as well,” Freeman told The Hill.
That includes bringing on Jim Messina, President Obama’s campaign manager for his 2012 reelection bid. The trade group has hired the Messina Group to help with grassroots campaigns, including support of online gambling.
“We have hired Messina to work on grassroots initiatives. Online gaming is one of those. Jim is as politically astute as they come and he will be a great resource for us,” Freeman said.
In addition, John Murray, a senior adviser at Purple Strategies and a former deputy chief of staff for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), is working with the AGA. Further, High Lantern Group, another consulting firm, has been retained by the trade group.
On Monday, the AGA also announced that it had hired five new staffers as it revamps the organization.
Sara Rayme, formerly with MGM Resorts International, will be the trade group’s senior vice president of public affairs.
Chaka Burgess comes from pharmaceutical giant Amgen to be the AGA’s vice president of government relations.
Coming from the U.S. Travel Association, Allie Barth will be the AGA’s senior director of communications.
In addition, Elizabeth Cronan will be director of gaming policy and Virginia Hurt Johnson will be general counsel at the AGA.
Freeman took over the AGA on July 1 last year and has looked to shake up the casino lobby. He replaced Frank Fahrenkopf, a former Republican National Committee chairman, who founded the trade group more than 17 years ago.
“This happens every time when someone new takes over a trade association. They want to push out the old guard and bring in new blood,” said a lobbyist who follows online gambling. “Geoff wants to send the message to Capitol Hill and K Street that the trade group will be more proactive and campaign and grassroots-oriented.”
