The 2024 Powers Awards and Ott Brown Scholarship winner were announced at the NASPL Professional Development Seminar in Omaha.
Published July 24, 2024
The Powers Awards
Ed Powers was a lottery industry pioneer. He was appointed Director of the New Hampshire Sweepstakes Commission in 1964, making him the first lottery director in the United States. He spent more than 25 years in the industry, helping to establish the most effective organizational structures that have become the blueprint for our successful lotteries of today.
The Powers name is forever associated with the highest of achievements. The drive, commitment and integrity he demonstrated throughout his career set the standard of excellence exhibited by the lottery and vendor employees receiving this award.
We proudly present the 2024 NASPL Powers Awards winners (alphabetical by submitting lottery). Click each winner's name for details.
Chief Data Officer, Florida Lottery
Draw Studio Producer, Mike Vasilinda Productions – Florida
Chief of Operations & Technology, Illinois Lottery
Controller, Hoosier Lottery
Senior Director of Key Accounts, IGT Indiana
Vice President, Lottery Systems, Iowa Lottery
Deputy Director and Acting Chief Counsel, Kansas Lottery
Chief Financial Officer, Kentucky Lottery
Director of Product Development, Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Agency
Director of Security & Compliance, Massachusetts Lottery
Management Analyst, Minnesota Lottery
Account Director, Scientific Games – New Mexico
Senior Sports Marketing Representative, North Carolina Education Lottery
VLT Regulation Manager, Ohio Lottery Commission
Communications Coordinator, South Carolina Education Lottery
Governmental Affairs Director, Texas Lottery
Vice President of Retail Innovation & Partnerships, IGT – Texas
Deputy Executive Director of Information Technology Services & Operations, Virginia Lottery
Director of Organizational Planning & Performance, Washington’s Lottery
Technical Architect, VML – Washington
Field Marketing Representative – Advanced, Wisconsin Lottery
Ott Brown NASPL Scholarship
This scholarship was established in recognition of Ott Brown, the late President of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation. This award represents what was important to Ott and the way he lived his life – creating opportunities for people to learn and grow. This scholarship provides a complimentary registration to the NASPL Lottery Leadership Institute, a unique event that combines lottery industry education with leadership training for personal and professional growth.
The winner of the 2024 NASPL Ott Brown Scholarship is Courtney Shearer, Controller, Virginia Lottery.
As Controller, Courtney Shearer ensures that the Virginia Lottery’s financial results are accurately reported in compliance with all applicable accounting standards in a useful and transparent manner. She manages a team of accounting professionals responsible for payroll, accounts payable, financial reporting and budget, and also oversees the receipt and distribution of gaming regulatory fees, assessments, and taxes. Courtney advocates for the use of technology tools, always looking for ways to empower her team to work smarter for the betterment of the agency. In her tenure with the Lottery she has successfully established relationships throughout the agency, and she is an up-and-coming leader in Virginia.
NASPL congratulates these 2024 Awards recipients and appreciates their dedication and service to the lottery industry.
