Washington, D.C. (November 2, 2009) – Martin Shapiro of Clearwater, FL, today was named the Florida state director for the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group headquartered in Washington, D.C. In this role, Shapiro will be responsible for monitoring poker-related issues and events in Florida and alerting the national PPA office to emerging trends or issues as well as leading PPA activities in the state.

“With more than one million dedicated members, the PPA is one of the strongest grassroots organizations out there, and we are very fortunate to have Martin as part of our team,” said former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, chairman of the PPA. “As Florida’s PPA state director, Martin will use his passion and interest for the game of poker to help strengthen the PPA’s efforts both nationally and at the state level. We are proud to have him as part of the PPA team.”

Shapiro was a casual poker player throughout his life, becoming fascinated with Texas Hold ‘Em during the poker boom after the World Series of Poker win by Chris Moneymaker in 2003. He started playing for pennies online and expanded his online real money play and began playing live tournaments and cash games as well. Shapiro has been tracking and analyzing the legislative and regulatory issues surrounding poker for several years, and has taken on the duties of Florida State Director for the PPA as a natural progression to his interest in bringing about fair government regulation of poker in place of prohibition.

As the Florida state director, Shapiro will serve as PPA’s “eyes and ears” to alert the membership to local news stories or legislation involving poker. He will also serve as the chief contact to quickly mobilize his fellow local PPA members to attend poker-related events or rallies. Shapiro will also be tasked with recruiting individuals to join the PPA, contacting their elected officials, and serving as a spokesperson for local media.

The State Directors program is one component of the PPA’s aggressive campaign to boost member benefits, augment its grassroots efforts and position the organization and its members as a strong voice in national, state and local policy debates. To learn more about the PPA State Directors program, please visit www.theppa.org.


About The Poker Players Alliance
The Poker Players Alliance (www.theppa.org) is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of more than 1,000,000 online and offline poker players and enthusiasts from around the United States who have joined together to speak with one voice to promote the game and to protect poker players’ rights.

Congratulations Martin and welcome aboard!

Did someone change the title here? I was wondering if this was PX - good to see my theory was right. Congrats.

Yes, I changed it.

Thanks! I look forward to continuing the fight. I'll post more for the Florida members soon.

If your efforts as PokerXanadu are any indication of what we can expect from you as Martin Shapiro, PPA State Director for Florida, then I conclude Florida Poker Players are in very good hands.

Congratulations and welcome aboard!

Skallagrim

Congrats PX I'm sure your are the perfect choice, even though I'm sure the PPA offered the job to 20,000 people they really wanted before having to settle for you (just kiddin) GL PX

Congratulations PX!

congratulations Im glad you are doing this for everyone

Thanks all for the well wishes! I expect a lot of political action for poker in Florida in the coming year. Watch for my posts (as always!).

Thanks for all that you have done PX, your efforts do not go unappreciated. Looking forward to seeing what more you contribute to an awesome organization.

Thank you for stepping forward.

First rule. Delegate. The more people that are involved, the better.

Thanks - that is next on my agenda.

Congratulations. I will listen to an ELO song today in tribute.

Congratulations and Best Wishes PX

I've been enjoying your post on this forum.

Congratulations, well deserved!

Congrats sir! now get to work!!

Sure will! Let me just finish this MTT.

Congrats, but I guess this means that you won't be heading up that seperate nation anytime soon?

Why not? I can be just like politicians and have more than one agenda.

From reading your posts on here, you couldn't be like most politicians. You're smarter than they are.

Aw, garwsh...

Congrats, I am always happy to see bright people join the PPA. Well deserved!

http://www.truthaboutscientology.com...n-shapiro.html

http://myreligion.scientology.org/martinshapiro/

And your point is????????