LAS VEGAS, Sept. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) today announced that it has appointed Christine Spadafor as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee of its Board of Directors.

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Spadafor joined Boyd Gaming's Board of Directors in 2009. As Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, Spadafor leads the committee responsible for establishing governance policies and procedures, assessing board effectiveness, and identifying qualified prospects when board vacancies arise.

Spadafor's appointment furthers Boyd Gaming's long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion across every aspect of its business. More than 25% of Boyd Gaming's board members are women - compared to an average of less than 20% for U.S. publicly traded companies - and the Company's leadership in board diversity has been recognized by 2020 Women on Boards, a non-profit organization that monitors gender diversity among publicly traded corporations. In addition, nearly 40% of Boyd Gaming's properties nationwide are overseen by female executives.

"As a valued member of our Board for the last seven years, Christine has distinguished herself through her dedication and insightful counsel," said Keith Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming. "We look forward to further leveraging Christine's considerable talent and expertise as head of this key Board committee."

Spadafor is principal of SpadaforClay Group, a management consulting firm. She is the former chief executive officer of St. Jude's Ranch for Children, a nonprofit organization for homeless and abused children. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the Harvard School of Public Health, and is a visiting lecturer at Tuck Executive Education at the University of Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business.

About Boyd Gaming

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) is a leading diversified owner and operator of 21 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com.

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SOURCE Boyd Gaming Corporation