AGA APPOINTS NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Posted 2/1/11 : Former Speaker of the House’s aide has good contacts
 
The American Gaming Association, a trade body that represents the interests of most of the major land gambling providers in the United States, has announced a key appointment to its government affairs team.
 
Whitaker Lee Askew, former aide to the Speaker of the House, is the Association’s new vice president of government affairs.
 
Askew will be responsible for advocating on behalf of the gaming industry on key issues and will focus on broadening the roster of gaming supporters among Washington lawmakers to include representatives of all gaming jurisdictions, as well as those from districts not located in traditional gaming states, a statement from the Association explains.
 
“Whit’s record of achievement here in Washington speaks for itself, and his contacts and experience will be vital as the AGA embarks on the challenge of introducing the commercial casino industry to more than 100 new Members of Congress,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr, president and CEO of the AGA.
 
“In order to expand our coalition of advocates to reflect gaming’s status as a national industry, the AGA needs a strong team, and I firmly believe that Whit will prove to be an excellent addition.”
 
Askew joins a government affairs team that currently includes Fahrenkopf and AGA vice president Dorothy Jackson. He fills the position vacated by John Versaggi, who had worked with the AGA since 2010.
 
Prior to his appointment, Askew served for five years in the office of then-Minority Leader and now Speaker of the House John Boehner. Prior to working with Rep. Boehner, Askew served as political action committee (PAC) coordinator at the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.