Senior American Gaming Association exec resigns

The American Gaming Association – the trade body for US land gambling companies – is about to lose one of its most experienced and senior executives following the resignation of senior VP and executive director Judy Patterson Tuesday.

Back in 1995 Patterson, an attorney, helped found the AGA with former president Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., who retired in June this year and was replaced from outside the industry by Geoff Freeman.

Before teaming up with Fahrenkopf to form the AGA, Patterson worked as special assistant to the president of the American Bar Association.

Freeman was generous in his praise for Patterson in his statement announcing her resignation, saying that she had been a key player in the AGA’s major expo and other initiatives tackling issues as diverse as regulatory reform, taxes, bank secrecy act provisions, communications and responsible gaming.

In 2011 Patterson also helped create Global Gaming Women, which now has more than a thousand members and supports women in the international gaming industry through education, mentorship and networking opportunities.

Jim Murren, current vice chairman of the AGA and chairman of the giant MGM group, joined Freeman in acknowledging Patterson’s significant contributions to the trade body, saying:

“The gaming industry and its members owe a great deal of gratitude to Judy and Frank. They are responsible for building and the growth of a fine organization.”

Patterson will act as a consultant to the Association for the next year.