PA Lottery Chief Ed Trees Retires; Drew Svitko Named Interim Director

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Revenue C. Daniel Hassell today announced the retirement of Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Ed Trees, effective Jan. 7, and the appointment of Drew Svitko as interim executive director.

"We're sad to see Ed move on and take with him the institutional knowledge and experience he's gained nearly since the Lottery's inception," said Hassell. "But we're excited for the opportunity to welcome Drew, who has extensive experience with the Pennsylvania Lottery and the vendor side of the business, to this new leadership role, in which we're confident he will succeed."

Trees, a resident of Cumberland County, dedicated his entire, 35-year professional career to the Pennsylvania Lottery. After starting with the agency as a clerk in 1976, he moved through positions of increasing responsibility in the administrative, drawings, marketing, sales and field operations areas of the Lottery before being named executive director in 2006.

Trees has led the Pennsylvania Lottery to win numerous national advertising and marketing honors, and he solidified his long-time role as a leader in the lottery industry in 2010 when he was named president of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL). Trees was one of only two lottery directors from Pennsylvania to lead NASPL, an association representing 52 lottery organizations from the U.S. and Canada, and he was the first to do so since the early 1980s.

"I have known Ed Trees for more than 20 years, and his wealth of knowledge, along with his genuine concern for others, has served those around him well," said David Gale, executive director of NASPL. "Ed has been a true leader within the lottery industry, as well as a friend to many who have crossed his path. His contributions will be long-lasting, though his sincere compassion will be missed."

Bruce LaFleur, co-publisher of world-wide lottery industry trade publication LaFleurs Magazine, recognized Trees for "demonstrating strong leadership most recently in the merger of Powerball and Mega Millions.

"We wish our trusted colleague and friend for more than three decades the very best life has to offer," said LaFleur.

Trees plans to enjoy retirement spending time with his family and exploring the next phase of his life.

Svitko, 41, of Cumberland County, has worked in the Lottery industry for 13 years and has served since 2008 as the Pennsylvania Lottery's deputy executive director for marketing and product development. He also held positions with the Pennsylvania Lottery in finance, security and research from 1997 to 2005.  From 2005 to 2008, Svitko worked for Oberthur Gaming Technologies/Scientific Games as a consultant to the Virginia Lottery.

About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to fund programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception 38 years ago, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed more than $20.1 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free transit and reduced-fare shared rides; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including more than 600 full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state. The Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older.  For more information on the Pennsylvania Lottery, visit www.palottery.com.

Media contact: Elizabeth Brassell, 717-787-6960

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Revenue