PPA names John Pappas new executive director

The Poker Player's Alliance (PPA) named John Pappas as its executive director Thursday.

The move coincides with the PPA's decision to move its headquarters from San Francisco to Washington D.C. Pappas will replace PPA President Michael Bolcerek, who oversaw the organization's rise to more than 660,000 members.

Bolcerek will remain in the San Francisco to pursue other interests, according to the PPA.

"It is vital that the PPA centralize its efforts in D.C. so we can best serve the interests of our over 660,000 members," former Senator and PPA Chairman of the Board Alfonse D'Amato said in a release.

Pappas, who held the position of vice president of government affairs at the PPA's Washington D.C. office before the promotion, will be responsible for overseeing overall operations management, strategic initiatives, membership communication/engagement and recruitment.

Pappas began his involvement with the PPA as a public affairs consult for the non-profit's media relations firm Dittus Communications. There he served as media and policy advisor for several major accounts like the PPA.

He has 10-years experience in Washington D.C. politics, working for his hometown congressmen John Shadegg for six years after college. Pappas moved to Dittus for several years and also served as an advisor for state-wide political campaigns in his home state of Arizona.

Pappas was hired earlier this year as the vice president of government affairs for the PPA as part of the organization's Washington D.C. office expansion. In this role, Pappas managed the PPA's D.C. lobbying efforts, grassroots outreach and media strategy.

In his personal time, Pappas enjoys playing poker with his friends and family and is an avid golfer.