Khalid Jones, Executive Director – Virginia Lottery

Khalid R. Jones joined the Virginia Lottery as Executive Director in April 2024 (appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin). Little did he know that he was embarking upon the best time of his life. OK, maybe we shouldn’t say “best” because, you know, he married a beautiful woman and had a beautiful daughter, so they might rank a little higher than us. But only slightly.This past year, he’s led the organization to sales of $5.7 Billion (but truly, all you sales and marketing folks did the really hard work…) and, in the last two years, he’s handed over two huge checks to the Governor: $934 Million and $901 Million. I mean, it’s not every day you get to do something like that, right? And speaking of things you don’t get to do every day, how ‘bout those casinos?! Under his leadership, Khalid has worked with the Lottery Board to open two more permanent casinos in Bristol and Danville (that makes three when you count Portsmouth). Of course, don’t forget about overseeing the regulation of sports betting, and if you’ve talked with Khalid, you know he’s always got a good sports analogy at the ready. In between all of those business/numbers kind of things, Khalid has spent time out in the field seeing how we build truly valuable partnerships with our retailers, pulled midnight shifts at the casinos, paid winners at CSCs, and visited several schools to hand out prizes to public-school students and educators. Before he came to “The Best Job Ever,” Khalid began his career in securities litigation and co-founded SourceRock Partners, an investment firm. He has provided legal and strategic advice to various entities, including state and national lottery organizations.His thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Fox Business, and CNBC. He has spoken at conferences like the American Gaming Association’s Global Gaming Expo and delivered a TEDx talk on blockchain in sports (see above for reference to sports analogies). Khalid holds a patent on the gamification of streaming media and is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Stanford Law School.

Andrew Hill, Marketing Director – Brightstar

Andrew has been working for IGT since immediately before the last name change and he has the GTECH badge to prove it. Over the past decade he has helped lotteries around the country and around the world to identify industry trends and unlock growth opportunities. Prior to his career in lottery, he worked for a business intelligence startup in Philadelphia focused on making advanced marketing analytics more readily accessible to new businesses.

Jason Lisiecki, EVP, Global – IWG

Jason brings over 16 years of lottery industry expertise, having served at both Michigan Lottery and now IWG. At Michigan Lottery, he initially focused on retail products before becoming the Digital Products Director to help start up the launch of Michigan’s iLottery program. He later joined William Hill US as Director of Product, driving innovation in sports betting. For the past seven years, Jason has been with IWG, working closely with lotteries worldwide to develop and implement effective eInstant content strategies.

Colin Hadden, General Manager and Vice President – Neopollard Interactive.

 Colin is an international board level leader with extensive experience in lottery executive leadership, business operations, business growth and change. Starting his career as a Software Engineer, Colin moved to commercial and operational roles running large technology enabled businesses in several regulated markets.  Colin has an in-depth understanding of retail and interactive lottery, payments, branding, product portfolio management and the provision of enterprise technology to a wide range of industries. After leading IGT lottery business in Northern Europe, Colin moved to the US as General Manager of IGT Indiana (Hoosier Lottery) and then on to be General Manager of Camelot Illinois (Illinois Lottery private manager).  Colin has also held roles outside the UK living in South Africa and the Middle East. Colin re-settled in the US in 2023 following the Covid pandemic and is General Manager and Vice President of Neopollard Interactive based in Lansing, MI. Colin lives in Indianapolis with his wife Sharon and English Foxhound Tilly.

Merrill Fullerton, Account Advisor – Alchemy3

Merrill is an award-winning Communication and Advertising Accredited Professional (CAAP) with expertise in product management, strategy, innovation and business development. Merrill has over 20 years marketing experience across a variety of B2C and B2B sectors and channels, including lottery and gaming, health care, manufacturing, automotive and post-secondary education. Prior to joining Alchemy3, Merrill spent more than a decade at Atlantic Lottery Corporation leading product and marketing teams and fostering a growth mindset, including delivering record-breaking Scratch’N Win sales, Digital Instant Game revenues and online account acquisitions. A Canadian with an affinity for American music, history and politics, Merrill is a father of two that loves to get out with his children to explore the world whenever he’s not strategizing for Alchemy3.

Sheila Battle, Executive Coach – The BattleStation

Sheila Battle is a TEDx speaker, author, and executive coach dedicated to transforming lives from the inside out. As a dynamic leader, change agent, and human services advocate, she empowers individuals and teams through practical, personal teachings that foster growth and resilience. Whether managing teams or leading workshops, Sheila’s energetic and engaging approach motivates and inspires in the boardroom and beyond. Blending real-life stories with a conversational style, she creates deep, personal connections with her audience, making transformation both accessible and actionable. Alongside her husband, Frank, she co-hosts the Soulful Conversations with Frank & Sheila podcast and is the visionary behind The BattleStation and 15 Minutes of Grace.

Lindsay K. Bunting Eubanks – SandsAnderson, PC

Lindsay serves businesses and higher education organizations, offering proactive and prompt legal counsel and enabling her clients to move ahead with confidence. With emphasis on litigation and employment matters, Lindsay knows how to help clients with the day-to-day concerns that arise in the workplace. She regularly counsels companies on issues ranging from contractual questions and severance agreements to EEOC charges and FLSA matters. She is a thoughtful listener and natural problem solver who enjoys helping people unwind complex situations with thoroughness and empathy. Lindsay’s practice includes providing higher education institutions with comprehensive legal guidance on a wide range of issues. She has experience helping colleges and universities with Title IX compliance and investigations, ensuring they meet federal requirements while fostering safe and equitable environments for students and staff.

Whitney E. Nelson-Crawford – SandsAnderson, PC

Whitney is an associate in Sands Anderson’s School & Education Law team. She works alongside public school divisions and governmental employers, using her combined experience as a school counselor and lawyer to address the day-to-day legal challenges that surface when operating public bodies. Whether helping school board clients with personnel issues, student discipline, or policy and governance matters, Whitney’s background shapes her approach to creative problem solving. At the outset of each matter, she strives to understand her client’s frame of reference, ensuring any concerns are heard and acknowledged before charting a path forward together. She knows that being honest and transparent fosters trust and collaboration.