Dr. Gwen Lee-Thomas

CEO, Quality Measures, LLC

Dr. Gwen Lee-Thomas is a Success Strategist in team building and organizational development, and founder and CEO of Quality Measures, LLC—a Virginia-based consulting firm specializing in program and project evaluation in STEM-H academic and research experiences. She has been an external consultant for nearly 30 years serving businesses, government organizations, community-based organizations, and colleges and universities across the nation.

Gwen has worked in executive leadership capacities as state board chair of the Indiana Minority Health Coalition (IMHC), Executive Assistant to two college/university presidents, and commissioner on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE). During her tenure as state board chair of IMHC, Gwen worked collaboratively with her board, senior administrators, and legislative caucuses in navigating state budget cuts, developing a revenue-generating subsidiary, designing, and implementing an affiliation/de-affiliation agreement with local coalitions, and developing the 5-Year strategic plan. As the Executive Assistant to the President of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT), Gwen worked closely with the president in restructuring the College’s administrative team—including retirements, reassignments, and promotions—provided the logistical work for the 5-Year strategic plan with the College’s 52-member board of directors and supported the College in reducing its budget by 6% across all functional areas. As an Assistant to the President for Special Projects at Old Dominion University, she co-led a community relations effort across all functional areas, served on the restructuring team for student engagement, liaised for the external review of the ODU Research Foundation (ODURF), and established the CORE2 Initiative to recruit and retain diverse faculty across the institution.

In addition to these experiences, Gwen has conducted over 130 grant and state-funded education and research-based evaluations valued at over $150M, collectively across the United States. These evaluations have included various STEM-H academic and research programs funded by NSF, U.S. Dept of Education, Dept. of Energy, DOD, HRSA, and DOJ. Other experiences include community relations board for the U.S. Penitentiary of Federal Bureau of Prisons, the United Way Grants Sub-Committee, and Academic Business Council of the Greater Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce in Indiana.

Gwen received her bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1984, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 1996, and a PhD in Education Administration in 1999, both from Indiana State University.

Sheila Hyde

Food Lion, Specialist II Front End Operations

Sheila has been an associate of Food Lion for 35 years. She started as a cashier in the retail stores and worked in various positions. She started in her my current position at the corporate office in 2007. For the past 16 years she has worked on the Virginia Lottery account. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughters, grandkids and dogs.

Sheri Brogden

Walmart, Senior Manager II

Lottery Strategy and New Business Initiatives

Retail Services

Sheri began her 15-year career with Walmart as an assistant store manager in Dardanelle, AR. After working in the field for 5 years, she transitioned to the home office as a Licensing Compliance Strategy Manager. For the past 5 years, she has been a member of the Retail Services Team serving as a Senior Manager II over lottery operations and strategic new business initiatives. In this capacity, Sheri supports the Lottery and Automated Service Team’s mission to provide convenient access to services and products that customers want, while removing friction points for both customers and associates through automation.

Sheri lives in NW Arkansas with her husband and 2 daughters (ages 16 and 11). They enjoy spending time exploring the outdoors, often at one of the 52 State Parks.

Bal Thapa

Owner, Shop-In

Bal was born in Bhutan in 1985 and moved to Nepal in 1992 were he attended college, earning a Physics degree within 3 years. In 2009, Bal moved to the United States and became a US citizen shortly after his arrival. He worked for Dynax American while purchasing the first of four convenience stores in the Roanoke Valley with his brother Prem. They have been in the business of convenience stores for 11 years and own four stores between them. Stores include, Southwest Market, Wasena Market, BodyCamp Store, and Shop in. These stores can be found in Roanoke city, Bedford, and Vinton. They give back to their communities by donating monies to the local fire departments.

Lisa Murphy

Kentucky Lottery, State Sales Director

Lisa has been with the Kentucky Lottery Corporation for 34 year and one of five original employees from the start up in 1989. She has held seven different positions within her career; Accounting, Internal Sales, Operations, Lottery Sales Rep, Sr. Lottery Sales Rep, Regional Manager and currently State Sales Director.

Haley McIntyre

Kentucky Lottery, Corporate Account Manager

Haley was promoted to Corporate Account Manager earlier this month. Her National Accounts include Kroger, Meijer and Racetrac. Haley was a former Lottery Sales Representative and was initially hired in the spring of 2021. In her first full year as an LSR she finished number one for the Bluegrass Region and was named Rookie of the Year. Haley has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Morehead State University and holds a Master of Science Degree in Human Resources from the University of Louisville.

Andrew Hill

IGT, Director of Analytics and Sales Development

Andrew Hill is the Director of Analytics and Sales Development at IGT. This team works to identify best practices from across the industry and provide opportunities for growth to all IGT’s lottery customers. He has been working with IGT since 2015 and supporting the Virginia Lottery since 2017.

Kary Hacker

IGT, Regional Sales Director

Kary came to IGT in 2013 and joined IGT Printing in 2018 after 5 years with IGT Indiana managing the Scratch-off and Draw Game portfolios. Prior to her time with IGT, Kary worked directly for 10 years with the Hoosier Lottery in various roles including managing the Scratch portfolio and as a Lottery Sales Representative. This combined 20 years of experience is leveraged to work to help the Virginia Lottery manage the Scratch-off life cycle, including product and portfolio management, providing provide insights and recommendations to generate revenue, entice new players and excite current players.

Karen Michael

Karen Michael Consulting, President

Karen Michael is the President of Karen Michael, PLC, a Richmond-based work law & human resources consulting firm specializing in management and leadership training, workplace investigations, HR Consulting, and employment law advice. Karen regularly works with Virginia state agencies and municipalities. Karen is a nationally-recognized workplace expert and sought-after speaker and has presented around the country, including at the national SHRM and EEOC conferences. She is also the author of “Stay Hired,” an essential guide for those entering the workforce on how to successfully go to work. Karen writes a weekly labor law column for the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Alaina Rodriguez

NPI, Senior Account Manager

Alaina is responsible for relationship management, service delivery, incident escalations, and overall customer success. She drives customer satisfaction and growth by proactively managing and developing success plans with the Lottery, acting as a liaison with product and game development teams, as well as continually interacting with all operational teams. She brings many years of account management experience to this role as well as strong organizational, communication, project management, negotiation, problem-solving and relationship-building skills. Alaina received a Bachelor of Arts from Elon University and a Master of Advertising from The University of Florida.

Victor Marmorstein

North America- NeoGames, Head of Games

Victor has over nine years’ experience in iLottery and has helped to develop, launch, and promote over 150 digital instant games. He serves as the liaison for all game development activities between our lottery customers and the NeoGames Studio. Prior to his current role, he worked closely with the Michigan Lottery’s digital games team for seven years, where he fulfilled various roles including project coordinator, games specialist, and product manager. Victor graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in advertising.

Nat Worley

IGT, Vice President of North American Lottery Marketing

Since joining IGT in 1997, Nat has held several positions in our Corporate Marketing group, including in the areas of field marketing, retail and strategic marketing, and business communications. As Vice President of North American Lottery Marketing since 2014, he oversees IGT’s team of marketing and same store sales experts who provide marketing support to IGT’s U.S. lottery customers. He will assure the Lottery of targeted and customized support services, including product performance analysis, sales opportunity development, game and portfolio management, retailer selection and optimization, market research, player and retailer analysis, and all other services that can help you diversify your product offering, and expand your player base.

Ron Keith

Cross Dynamics, President

Ron Keith is the president of Cross Dynamics, a faith-based Training and Consulting firm located in Chesterfield Virginia. His firm partners with business entities to provide tactical consulting services, as well as build custom training programs. Cross Dynamics was founded on the belief that people development is the key to performance improvement, customer satisfaction, and increased profits. Cross Dynamics seeks to fulfill its’ mission of helping individuals discover the benefits and power of working and living by dynamic principles.

Mr. Keith is a respected Business Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Performance Consultant. He is sought after for his keen insight in the areas of management, leadership, operational excellence, sales, marketing, and employee performance. For over 20 years he has helped countless professionals maximize their potential and reach their business and personal goals. Mr. Keith has worked with such companies as the VA Association of Mortgage Brokers, where he served as their primary sales and marketing trainer/consultant, the Maryland Association of Mortgage Brokers, Bank of America, Capital One, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, City of Richmond, Virginia State University, Norfolk State University, and the Virginia Lottery.

Mr. Keith has also had a distinguished corporate career. He has served as Assistant Vice President of Associate Development for Bank of America, Overseen Management Training for Capital One, Regional Marketing Manager for Armada Residential Mortgage, and Director of Human Resources, Training and Safety Compliance for General Services Corporation. With a strong faith, the support of his wife Vartina and loving daughter Kennedy, Mr. Keith is committed to not simply consulting but becoming a strategic partner for the companies and individuals he serves.

Keith Cash

Vice President and General Manager, Global Instant Products, IGT

Keith’s career in the Lottery industry started more than 30 years ago working nightshift on the manufacturing floor of Dittler Brothers (manufacturer of Instant Scratch-off tickets) and later the same position at Scientific Games. From this entry level role in manufacturing, Keith consistently advanced through the ranks including positions in Production Control, Customer Service, Project Management, Account Manager, Vice President of Sales, and Vice President of Operations. After many years on the supplier side of the industry, Keith joined the Tennessee Lottery as Director of Portfolio Management for the Tennessee Education Lottery. Keith’s time in Tennessee reshaped his perspective on how value is defined by the lottery customer.

In 2018, Keith joined IGT as the Vice President and General Manager of Global Instant Products where he now leads a team of more than four hundred. Keith is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the IGT Instant Services organization and for ensuring IGT’s scratch game customers consistently receive premium products and services.

Keith brings three decades of experience across the lottery industry value chain to his role, with perspective gained from experience on both the supplier and lottery perspective.