Boyd's Keith Smith elected AGA chairman

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Boyd Gaming Corp. Chief Executive Officer Keith Smith has been elected chairman of the American Gaming Association, the industry's Washington D.C. based lobbying organization.

Smith joined the association's board in 2007 and has been vice chairman for past year. Bally Technologies CEO Richard Haddrill was elected vice chairman.

"The coming year promises to bring both challenges and opportunities, and I am confident that Keith and Dick will steer us in the right direction," said association president Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. "They will maintain the board's important balance between the operating and manufacturing sides of our industry and work tirelessly to protect the interests of our organization's diverse membership."

Smith succeeds former International Game Technology Chairman and CEO TJ Matthews.

The American Gaming Association also elected two new directors, IGT CEO Patti Hart and Penn National Gaming President Timothy Wilmott.