Otto accepts Va. lottery position, leaves VCU

The Virginia Lottery, which donates all of its profits to
Virginia public schools, will welcome a new executive director Feb. 1.

Paula Otto, who was a member of the lottery’s starter team, is leaving her position as associate director of the School of Mass Communications at VCU. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced her acceptance of the position Friday.

“I’m very excited to be going back to the lottery,” Otto said. “I was part of the group that helped create it.”

Otto started her work with the lottery in 1987 as its first director of public affairs, working to ensure a good public image for the agency.

The Virginia Lottery provides about 7 percent of the annual state funding of Virginia public schools. Since 1999, the agency has donated $3.4 billion to the K-12 education system.

According to the lottery’s Web site, the agency generated $1.3 billion from sales in 2007, contributing $437.1 million – or about 34 percent of its earnings – to education. Prizes for the players totaled 57.4 percent of the revenue. Retailers who sell lottery tickets received 5.6 percent. Five percent of the revenue covered operational expenses.

Otto will oversee all of the lottery’s operations, including ticket sales, retailers, the finance department and the information systems department.
She is rejoining the lottery during its 20th anniversary of raising money in Virginia.

Some of Otto’s colleagues received the news with mixed feelings.I

n a staff e-mail, Judy Turk, director of the School of Mass Communications, stated the new position is a “terrific career move” for Otto.

“Her departure from VCU and the School of Mass Communications leaves a void that will be impossible to fill,” Turk stated in the e-mail. “Nevertheless, we will do our best to absorb her responsibilities and contributions as she departs.”

Otto has been working with Turk to make the transition easier.

“She and I have been working closely as to how my duties will be given out,” Otto said. “We’re lucky that the school has such a devoted hard worker who will be able to make things work, even though she’s losing an employee.”

In a press release, Kaine stated he “can’t think of another person more qualifi ed for this position.

“I am very happy that Paula Otto has agreed to take on this important job,” Kaine said. “She was with the lottery at its beginning and has more than 20 years experience in public service.”

Otto, who has been working for VCU for more than 10 years, said she will miss her students and colleagues but accepts the new position with pride.

“It’s certainly an honor to be asked by the governor to serve in any capacity,” Otto said. “It’s going to be great to be associated and go back and lead a very talented group of employees who have created one of the best lotteries in the country.”