New Executive Director Nominee Takes the Helm at Arizona Lottery

PHOENIX, Arizona (March 24, 2023) – The Arizona Lottery is pleased to welcome Governor Katie Hobbs’ appointment of Alec Esteban Thomson to serve as the next Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery, beginning April 17, 2023.

Alec is no stranger to the business of Lottery as, for over a year, he has faithfully served as an Arizona Lottery Commission member, providing his marketing and communications professional expertise to help guide agency decision making at our monthly Commission meetings. He comes to us from LAVIDGE marketing communications agency, where he served as the Multicultural and Public Service marketing Director, with a diverse professional background in business, marketing communications, and more than a decade of experience in public service and advocacy at the city, state, and federal levels of government.

“I’m thrilled to be the next Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery and am excited to maximize the impact of the Lottery for Arizona communities,” said Thomson. “Under the leadership of Governor Hobbs, I look forward to working with the talented state employees and partners at Arizona Lottery that drive the organization’s excellent work of funding vital programs in our state and its critical contributions to the state’s general fund,” Thomson said.

A longtime public servant who has worked with leaders in both parties, Alec has led numerous statewide campaigns, spearheaded community and economic development initiatives, and drove key policy efforts in Phoenix and Tempe. He has served on the staffs of Republican Governor Doug Ducey, Democrat Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell, Independent Phoenix Councilmember Tom Simplot, and Republican Governor Jan Brewer. In addition, while on staff with the Human Rights Campaign, Alec traveled the country working for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, championing LGBTQ+ equality at the federal, state, and local levels.

Alec also serves on the Board of Directors for Friends of Public Radio Arizona and the State Forty Eight Foundation, as well as numerous other volunteer roles. He is a proud alumnus of Arizona State University and is a fourth generation Arizonan from the border community of Nogales.

Alec is committed to moving the business of Lottery forward and he is excited to continue the tradition of excellence and entrepreneurial thinking that has helped the Arizona Lottery see four consecutive fiscal years with sales in excess of $1 billion and on track for a record-setting FY23.

About Arizona Lottery

Since 1981, the Arizona Lottery and its retail partners have generated nearly $5 billion in support of programs that help to improve the quality of life for the people of Arizona. Proceeds from Lottery ticket sales fund programs in higher education, economic development, environmental conservation and health and human services. The mission is to support Arizona programs for the public benefit by maximizing net revenue in a responsible manner. Learn more at ArizonaLottery.com.

SOURCE: The Arizona Lottery.