His efforts will focus on building and maintaining the strong relationships necessary to advocate on the federal legislative and regulatory issues that impact the U.S. commercial casino industry.
Versaggi comes to the AGA from UST Public Affairs, where he created and implemented strategic plans to protect the company’s interests, communicated its positions to members of Congress and their staffs, as well as the Administration, and represented UST in discussions on crucial regulatory, agricultural and tax-related legislation. He also oversaw the administration of the company’s political action committee. Prior to working for UST, Versaggi spent seven years in the office of then-Congressman, now-Senator Richard Burr in a number of positions, including communications director and, most recently, chief of staff.
“John has an impressive record of accomplishment here in Washington, and his combination of Capitol Hill and corporate government affairs experience is perfectly suited to furthering the AGA’s role as the national voice of the commercial casino industry,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr, president and CEO of the AGA. “There are a number of important federal issues facing our industry this year, and we couldn’t be happier to have someone of John’s caliber joining the AGA team.”
Versaggi joins a government affairs team that currently includes Fahrenkopf and AGA vice president Dorothy Jackson. He fills the position vacated by D. Brett Hale, who had worked with the AGA since 2001 and recently left to become senior vice president of corporate and government relations at Churchill Downs Inc.
The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.