2015 Lottery Industry Hall of Fame Members
Joseph S. (Jay) GendronSenior Vice President, North America, IGT
Country: USA |
Jay is a Lottery Industry Veteran Redefining the Industry Standards for Customer Service. He began his career at GTECH in 1995, as an Assistant Account Executive. The following year, he became a Regional Account Director, a position he held until 1999. He then became an Account General Manager, was named Director of Video Operations in 2001, and then Vice President of Global Sales, Gaming Solutions. In 2007, he was promoted to Regional Vice President, Eastern Region Operations—GTECH’s largest region. In 2014, he became Senior Vice President, North America, today serving IGT customers in both the U.S. and Canada.
He has served some of the industry’s largest lotteries, an experience giving him an appreciation of the challenges these complex lotteries face. Jay manages IGT’s Texas Lottery partnership to ensure resources, products, services, and retail innovation support the customer’s diverse and unique business model. “I have known Jay for more than 10 years now,” said Gary Grief, Texas Lottery Executive Director. “I quickly came to realize that Jay doesn’t do anything halfway. He follows through and always goes the extra mile for the customer. Jay hits the ground running, and he quickly became familiar with my staff, our board, and the massive operation IGT has in place in Texas.” IGT has more than 40 customers in North America, and Jay is dedicated to supporting and driving the success of each and every one of them. “Over the past 19 years, regardless of what position Jay held at GTECH, he remained a steadfast supporter and friend of mine and the Rhode Island Lottery,” said Gerry Aubin, Rhode Island Lottery Executive Director. “Always willing to listen to any concerns, offer solutions, and follow through on all commitments he made. When I joined the Lottery in 1996, Jay Gendron was one of the first people I met. It didn’t take long to realize that Jay was not only hard working and knowledgeable, but also sincere, trustworthy, and loyal.” Trust, Integrity and Responsibility: Understanding customer needs is imperative. And, if the adage holds true that the key to business success is to foster positive relationships, then Jay has designed the blueprints for customer care in the lottery industry. Trust, integrity and responsibility are the attributes are the foundation on which Jay has built a successful career at IGT, and in turn, his influence has reinforced those qualities throughout the industry. Whether he is helping a customer find the best business solution for their lottery or speaking at the grand opening of an IGT After School Advantage computer lab, Jay has helped redefine the standards of customer service. Jay is a graduate of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. He and his wife, Leah, reside in Rhode Island with their two sons. |
Dr. Ioannis N. KatakisHead of Lottery Gaming,
Win Systems Country: SPAIN |
Dr. Katakis has served as Director of Lottery Systems, Services, and Strategy for INTRALOT S.A. during 1998–2015. In that capacity, he evaluated new opportunities in the gaming sector, analyzed new business opportunities in the global markets, assessed the financial models, and proposed the required strategy to the company’s top management.
Ioannis served as the lead in winning contracts in the following countries, Chile (2002), Holland (2009), Korea (2009), Malta (2002 and 2012), Morocco (2010), New Zealand (2005 and its extension 2009), Skopia, Spain (2005), South Africa (2006),Taiwan (2007), Turkey (2004), Victoria (Australia) (2007), Western Australia (2005). He also set up the companies in Beijing (China), Hong Kong, Madrid, Malta, New Zealand, Perth (AUS), Romania, Skopje,Taiwan, and Victoria (AUS). Ioannis was appointed to lead MALTCO upon its establishment, in 2001, as the operator of the National Lottery of Malta. Its history since then is most exciting. Malta is home to a thriving internet-based gambling business. In spite of that, and with a total dedication to its land-based retailers, in 2014 MALTCO has doubled its revenues over the last ten years to 207 euros per capita more than double the European average. Ioannis’ background has shaped his approach as an achiever in business in a profound way mainly because of his vision, leadership and staff management. Trained in the sciences (Ph.D In Biomedical Engineering; Bachelors and Master Degrees in Electronic Engineering), Ioannis followed his academic career with five years as a medical scientist. He worked in the Telecom Sector for INTRACOM (1989–1994) and EUROCOM EXPERTISE (1994–1998) hired on as a technologist and engineer at INTRALOT (to implement its first online lottery and design and Implement the first video-lottery system). He then moved into operations and business development (responsible for acquiring many of INTRALOT’s ‘private management’ contracts as General Commercial Director in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, S. America and S. Africa) and, since the renewal of the license in 2012, serves as executive CEO of MALTCO Lotteries. Ioannis continues to be involved in every aspect of the business. And he makes a strong case for why that is necessary in order to bridge the gap between technological development and the user experience. Ioannis served in the Spinal Injury Unit at Glasgow General Hospital (1986–1987), and conducted important research into the application of neuromuscular stimulation to help paraplegic patients and previously he had a two year Research contract with the British Ministry of Defense while at the University of Sheffield. He holds the following academic degrees:
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Stavros A. MichaelDirector Cyprus Government Lottery
Country: CYPRUS |
In 1981 Stavros A. Michael was appointed Statistical Assistant 3rd Grade of the Statistical Service. In 1986 he was appointed Finance Officer in the Economic Research Directorate, Ministry of Finance. In 1991 he acquired the position of Finance Officer A´ in the Budget and Fiscal Control Directorate, Ministry of Finance and in 1997 he was promoted to Senior Finance Officer. Stavros was promoted to Director of Finance in September 2001 in the Directorate of Budget and Fiscal Control at the Ministry of Finance. The basic mission of the Directorate is derived from Articles 165-168 of Part XI—Financial Provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus and encompasses the implementation of the state fiscal policy. He is also a member of the Cyprus Cultural Foundation as well as of the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Insurance Organization and the Oncologic Center—Bank of Cyprus.
Stavros was appointed Director of the Cyprus Government Lottery in June 2000 by the Council of Ministers. Since his appointment in 2000 the sales of the Cyprus Government Lottery had an upward trend and from 52 million Euros in the year 2000 to reach 70 millions Euros in 2008. After 2009 due to the economic crisis which affected Cyprus the sales have dropped to 35 millions in the year 2014. Having in mind the whole economic climate, competition and the small size of our market, the financial results of Cyprus Government Lottery are considered satisfactory. Revenues generated by the Lottery have always been returned to the State for the benefit of the society. Stavros was elected internal auditor of the European Lotteries in 2005 and since then has been re-elected every two years by the General Assembly of the Association. Every year since elected as Internal Auditor, Stavros prepared and presented with the other joint internal auditor the audit report to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee has always taken into consideration their recommendations. Afterwards they present their audit Report to the General Assembly of the European Lotteries and always the General Assembly unanimously approves the report of the internal and external auditors. Stavros is married and has three children. He graduated from the Larnaka Lyceum in 1975 and studied Economics (BA) at the University of Athens (1977–1980). From 1988 to 1994, Stavros specialized in the field of Public Finance at the International Monetary Fund and the Civil Service Academy in Washington D.C. and acquired a Master Degree in Public Sector Management (C.I.I.M) (1994). |
Jim O'BrienStrategic Marketing Vice-President, Scientific Games Corporation
Country: USA |
A 35 year veteran of the lottery industry, Jim’s original and inventive methodologies have helped the instant-ticket sector grow into a global industry worth over $80 billion and his influence is seen across the major markets in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Jim also designed the world’s top two lottery Keno games currently running in Massachusetts and Greece.
After spending 21 years with the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, where he climbed the ranks to the level of Marketing Director before joining Scientific Games Corp., O’Brien was given the responsibility of developing and initiating new mathematical formulas and strategies. That assignment yielded incredible insights into the nature of player behavior, consumer market dynamics, and product portfolio management. Those insights provided the catalyst for the mammoth growth in the lottery’s instant game sales. In fact, the work undertaken by O’Brien at the company is attributed with a huge proportion of the credit for the growth of the business’ sector from $54 million per year, to $54 million per week by 2001. As Scientific Games Massachusetts’s Account Manager, Jim continues to help shape the Massachusetts Lottery in achieving record instant sales in FY 2015. The innovative O’Brien joined Scientific Games Corporation in 2001 and for the last 14 years helped to shape the industry through the creation of custom product marketing and game plans for the company’s lottery customers using the 15 Determinants of Demand methodology he developed. Working closely with scores of lotteries including the Georgia Lottery, the Massachusetts Lottery, Florida Lottery and globally with the Italian Gratta e Vinci and China Sports Lottery. Jim is engaged daily with customers and Scientific Games colleagues providing deep knowledge and training with the company’s marketing, research, insights and product development groups to continue to innovate all of the lottery product category management best practices he continues to create. |
Douglas E. PollardCo-Chief Executive Officer, Pollard Banknote Limited
Country: CANADA |
Doug Pollard joined Pollard Banknote in 1997 and after successfully leading Pollard Banknote through a variety of new business ventures, he was appointed Co-Chief Executive Officer in 2011. During his tenure as Co-CEO, he has been integral to the company’s growth and leads by example in setting Pollard Banknote’s high standard of quality, innovation, marketing and client service. His passion for helping lotteries drive sales to benefit good causes ensures that every client lottery receives exceptional customer service and care. Doug encourages Pollard teams to engage with clients at all levels of their business, from the “bricks & mortar” retail development to the adaptation of emerging technologies and social media.
As Co-Chief Executive Officer, Doug brings a dynamic, customer-centric, and forward thinking approach which benefits client lotteries worldwide. His visionary style has been honed by previous leadership roles at Pollard Banknote, including General Manager of the company’s France-based, international subsidiary and through the development of Pollard Banknote’s Lottery Management Services business unit. Doug works closely with his brother and Co-CEO, John Pollard, who since 1986 has led the operations and finance divisions, and with his brother Gordon Pollard, Executive Chair of the company’s Board. The three brothers have built on the success of their father, Lawrence Pollard, steering the company from its beginnings in the Lottery business in Canada in the 1970’s to become the thriving, global company it is today, now publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Pollard Banknote has enjoyed enduring success for over a century because Doug, John and Gordon have maintained its core values while the company’s business strategies and practices have adapted to a rapidly changing world. Based on the entrepreneurial vision and leadership of Lawrence Pollard—and now his three sons—the company is founded upon the principle of driving innovation to the benefit of our customers—a belief that Lawrence and his three sons still value today. Doug continues to live up to his motto—“never fall out of love with your core business”—by focusing on maintaining the company’s position at the forefront of the instant ticket market with an eye on continuing growth as the company transitions into an exciting new era of omni-channel offerings. Doug also plays an active role in setting the agenda for the Pollard Family Foundation through which hundreds of worthwhile causes have found the means to help the communities in which Pollard Banknote is a part. Doug holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba. In addition to English, he is fluent in Spanish and French. |
Thierry PujolDirector of Sport Integrity FDJ, France and Chairman of WLA SRMC
Country: FRANCE |
Recognizing his world class level of expertise in the area of security and integrity, Thierry Pujol, was recruited in 2005 to assume the position of Director of Risk Management and Security and at La Francaise des Jeux (FLDJ). At the same time, Thierry also became a member of the Managing Board of FLDJ. Thierry’s dedication to service is also reflected in the leadership roles he performs for the World Lottery Association (WLA). Preservation of the security and integrity of the global government-gaming industry is a genuinely mission-critical priority, the most critical component to player trust and ultimately brand equity. Thierry’s impact on this mission has helped to shape a leadership role for government-gaming within a rapidly changing global gaming industry. As Chairman of the World Lottery Association’s Security and Risk Management Committee (SRMC), Thierry works collegially with the members of the committee from lotteries all around the world to develop and constantly improve security standards. A recent accomplishment is the implementation of the WLA’s new sports betting surveillance entity—GLMS. Prior to this role, Thierry served as Chairman Public Order and Security Working Group for The European Lotteries Association (EL). As a result of a particularly unique experience in intelligence for the French army and government, Thierry Pujol contributes to an original and different vision of the security and risk management issues as applied to the gaming industry.
Additionally, Thierry is our industry’s greatest ambassador for the goal of integrity and for encouraging lotteries all across the world to build the standards that merit formal WLA Security accreditation. This voluntary service to the industry is appreciated by all of his colleagues, not just for the results that it has produced, but also for Thierry’s personal style which is self-effacing, never seeking recognition for himself. He is always ready to help his colleagues and to share his expansive knowledge of security issues which have not only been developed in his experience in the lottery business but in his previous profession in the armed services. Thierry is also now serving as Director of Sport Integrity and Special Advisor of the President of La Francaise des Jeux. |
Tom ShaheenExecutive Vice President, Linq3
Country: USA |
Tom’s 27-year career in the lottery industry includes 22 years with five different lotteries, and five years with Linq3, a technology company specializing in enabling lottery sales at unmanned point-of-sale devices. Tom’s boundless drive, high level of integrity, work ethic, willingness to take calculated risks, and perseverance have led him from his start in 1987 as a sales representative with the Florida Lottery to become director of two different state lotteries and success in the community of commercial partners to government lotteries. In 1992, Tom joined the Texas Lottery start-up team. In 1993, Tom moved on to become Vice President of Sales as part of the Georgia Lottery start-up team. During his tenure with the Georgia Lottery, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and then Executive Vice President.
In 2000, Tom was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the New Mexico Lottery Authority. Under Tom’s leadership, lottery sales in New Mexico rose by 40% and the return to education increased by 55%. In December of 2005, Tom left the New Mexico Lottery to become the inaugural Executive Director of the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL). The launch in March of 2006 set a new benchmark for the fastest US lottery start-up at that time. Among other things, that involved the installation of over 5,000 retailers in 115 days. The NCEL went on to post consecutive sales and profit growth each year while the retail base grew to over 6,200. Upon his departure in September 2010, total NCEL sales had grown to over $5 billon. Tom Shaheen is also dedicated to service of the Government Lottery industry. Tom served as the President of NASPL in 2005, and as President of MUSL in 2009-2010. He previously served as Chairman of the NASPL Standards Initiative Committee in 2004, and on several other NASPL and Multi-State Lottery (MUSL) committees that advance the industry in both product development and integrity. During his tenure as President of MUSL, he served on the national cross-selling committee and was a major contributor to its implementation. A by-product of this committee resulted in lotteries across the U.S continuing to this day to develop and implement joint games as well as joint advertising campaigns. In September 2010 Tom joined Linq3 and serves as Executive Vice President. He has played a significant role in Linq3’s development of new distribution channels for selling lottery tickets on non-traditional point of sale devices. He has been instrumental in providing Linq3 with guidance on how the model should be designed to meet the requirements, needs and concerns of state lotteries, their gaming vendor partners, and MUSL. |
Philippe VlaemminckManaging Partner,
Pharumlegal Gaming Law Group Country: BELGIUM |
Philippe became involved in the European debate on Lotteries and Gambling in 1992. On an ongoing basis since 1994, Philippe has represented the Belgian Government in all cases on lotteries and gambling (more than 40 cases up to now) at the Court of Justice of the European Union (comparable to the US Supreme court). In 2010, Philippe assisted the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in adopting Conclusions (with unanimity of all European States) whereby for the first time ever the “specific role of state lotteries for society” was recognized. This is a vital step towards differentiating the role and regulatory treatment of state government lotteries from that of commercial gambling and i-gambling enterprises.
In 2000, Philippe came to work with the Belgian National Lottery, assisting them in reorganizing the legal and contractual structure of their retail network and other intermediaries. Additionally, at the request of the Belgian Government, he drafted a new National Lottery law. He now serves in the defense of the Belgian government (both the National Lottery and the Gaming Commission) in infringement procedures launched against the Kingdom of Belgium. For the past 20 years, Philippe has served as the legal adviser of The European Lotteries (EL), providing strategic EU regulatory assistance. He helped the EL in developing the EU regulatory approach and created the EL quarterly Legal newsletter. On behalf of the EL, and also partially on behalf of the WLA, he has also been involved in the trade dispute, and supported the opposition of efforts by UK-based remote gambling operators to provide i-gaming to US consumers (WTO & TBR cases on cross border Internet gambling services ). He assist on a regular basis European state Lotteries ( including a.o. in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Luxemburg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, The Netherlands …) in developing a consistent EU legislative approach, and in litigation and/or defense against allegations of the European Institutions. Philippe is also highly involved in the legal structure of the multi-jurisdictional EuroMillions game. He started his career as a Member of the Bar in Belgium in 1984. He also worked part-time at the European Institute of the University of Gent (research on EU law), as a visiting professor at this University from 1999 until 2001, teaching European Judicial protection. Philippe speaks on a regular basis at international lottery conferences and seminars (including EL, WLA, Smart Tech, and in October 2015 also at NASPL). He publishes in various lottery and gaming journals including in the EL Magazine and Public Gaming International. |