WALLINGFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Lottery Corporation announced the appointment of a new president and CEO in a release Thursday.
According to the release, Frank Suarez, executive director of the D.C. Office of Lottery and Gaming, was appointed after a vote from the CLC Board of Directors.
Suarez, chosen after an 11-month nationwide search to fill the position that formerly belonged to Greg Smith, spent seven years as a deputy executive director of brand management and communications with the North Carolina Lottery and then three years as an executive director for the DC Lottery, the release said.
"I am honored and excited to join the Connecticut Lottery Corporation and to work with the talented team here to drive continued growth and success," said Suarez.
In the release, Suarez said that his focus in the role will be "maximizing revenue for the state while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and responsible gaming."
Robert Simmelkjaer, board chair of the CLC, said that Suarez brings "exceptional leadership skills, extensive industry experience" and a "visionary approach" that "make him the perfect choice to guide our company into the next phase of growth and innovation."
"We are confident that, under his stewardship, we will continue to achieve remarkable success and continue to deliver value to our players and revenue to the State of Connecticut," Simmelkjaer said in the release.
The CLC said that Smith, who was with the company for the past six years, has been "instrumental in steering the Connecticut Lottery to its current position as one of the highest performing lotteries in the country," and will begin a position as a special consultant on Aug. 1 to assist with the leadership transition. He will officially retire in September.
According to the release, Suarez also has private sector experience in brand marketing and management and has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina.
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