Aces & Angels was founded in 2008 by Michael Eakman, a highly experienced fundraising executive with a rolodex full of celebrity contacts. Michael’s unique skill set was developed over 31 years of fundraising experience for hundreds of nonprofit organizations. Michael is one of 170 poker executives worldwide with certification from the Poker Tournament Director’s Association and one of less than a
handful of certified professionals that are not employed by a major casino or gaming company and available to assist nonprofits, associations and corporations. Eakman produces the annual Aces & Angels event at the Super Bowl as well as the World Series of Poker Experience in Los Angeles. Aces & Angels events have been hosted by Gene Simmons, Kim Kardashian, Phil Hellmuth and a who’s who from Hollywood, the music industry, high profile professional athletes and poker stars. Hood with Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed was featured on the Aces & Angels episode of “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” that was broadcast in 86 countries around the world on the A&E television network. Eakman were also featured on another A&E hit show “Shipping Wars”, highlighting the peculiarities of shipping high quality poker tables. Organizations that Aces & Angels has raised funds for include: The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, The USO, Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans of Valor, Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada, California State Firefighter’s Association, Bexar County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol, Culver City Police Relief Association, Burbank Police Officers Association, California Organization of Police & Sheriffs, Los Angeles Firefighters Relief Association, Los Angeles Police Department, Texas Peace Officers Association, Harris County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots, The Federal Firefighters Association, Baton Rouge Police Association, Louisiana State Troopers Association, The International Union of Police Associations, Orange County Firefighters Association, the Fire Safety Training Institute, San Francisco Firefighters Union, Texas State Troopers Association and many more.
