Governor Perdue Announces New President & CEO of the Georgia Lottery Corporation

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Margaret DeFrancisco was unanimously selected by the Lottery Board as the new President & CEO of the Georgia Lottery Corporation.

"This is an exciting day for the Georgia Lottery. We needed someone who had experience managing a well-established lottery and that is exactly what we got," Perdue said. "Margaret DeFrancisco had great success building the nation's largest lottery in New York and we expect her to continue that success right here in Georgia."

Since its inception in 1967, the New York Lottery has generated more than $22 billion to support education in New York State, including $1.84 billion in fiscal year 2002-2003. DeFrancisco was appointed Director of the New York Lottery in May 1999 by Governor George E. Pataki. Under her leadership, sales increased from $3.6 billion (1999) to $5.4 billion (2003) making it the largest lottery in the United States.

Before becoming Director of the New York Lottery, DeFrancisco served as the Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. She is also a former teacher and small business owner. DeFrancisco is a native of Rochester, New York, is married, and has two grown children.