Got Your Back NetworkAndy has held this post since 2004, prior to which he served as Director of Government Relations and Community Development for the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. Possessing some of the most diverse political experience in the gaming industry, Andy’s duties include managing the political and governmental affairs for LVSC along with aiding and assisting in the company’s expansion efforts and development projects.
Andy is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He began his career working on local, state, and federal campaigns in the late 1980’s. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Republican Party of Harris County, Texas. In 1992, Andy returned home to Nebraska where he worked on the Republican National Committee’s Victory Campaign for the Midwest region. At the campaign’s conclusion, he went on to serve as the Executive Director of the Douglas County Republican Party. He was then appointed to serve statewide as the Executive Director of the Nebraska Republican Party until 1997 when he left to manage the Christensen for Governor Campaign.
Since 1998, Andy has been instrumental in instituting The Venetian and Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s political and community development activities, along with helping to ensure The Venetian and LVSC properties continue to set the industry’s standards. Abboud oversees the company’s political activity and lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., Carson City, as well as Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He led the company’s campaign to obtain a gaming license in Pennsylvania, spearheading a proposal to redevelop the former Bethlehem Steel property into a mixed-use resort development. He continues to lead the company’s expansion opportunities in other jurisdictions within the United States.
Andy has been at the forefront of several of the company’s political and community initiatives including the creation and development of LVSC’s Responsible Gaming Program. In the development of this program, he facilitated a partnership with the Harvard University Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance Division on Addictions to develop a cutting-edge training curriculum for all team members, establishing LVSC as the foremost leader in responsible gaming in the world.
Andy also organized and oversees the charitable arm of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. 501c (3) charitable foundation, the Sands Foundation. The Sands Foundation has distributed millions of dollars in charitable contributions to thousands of organizations and individuals in need throughout Southern Nevada and the world focusing on youth, health, and education. The Sands Foundation has comprehensive scholarship programs for team members and residents of the communities in which the company operates. In recent years, Andy has helped facilitate Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson’s program to bring wounded warriors and their families to Las Vegas for VIP treatment as a show of gratitude for their service to our country.
Andy is also active in several civil and charitable organizations, sitting on the Board of Directors for the Problem Gambling Center, Three Square Foundation, Got Your Back Network and the Sands Foundation.
Andy’s hobbies include reading, exercising, and most importantly all aspects of University of Nebraska Football.