The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation Announces the Retirement of Rebecca Graham Paul, President and CEO on December 31, 2026
Ms. Paul has long played a pivotal role in the lottery industry and is one of its most respected, experienced leaders. She was first appointed to the Illinois Lottery as its CEO on July 25, 1985. From there, she went on to start the Florida, Georgia and Tennessee lotteries as founding CEO. In all four jurisdictions, proceeds were used to support education, helping many millions of students achieve their dream of a higher education. In Tennessee alone, she has led the charge to generating more than $8.3 billion for education, which has funded more than 2.3 million higher education awards to Tennessee students.
June 2, 2026
The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation Announces the Retirement of Rebecca Graham Paul, President and CEO
NASHVILLE--Will Carver, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation, today announced the upcoming retirement of the organization’s longstanding President and CEO, Rebecca Graham Paul. After 23 years of dedicated leadership, building the Tennessee Lottery from the ground up with successes year after year, Ms. Paul is stepping down as its President and CEO on December 31, 2026.
“Rebecca has been an invaluable asset to Tennessee and the lottery industry,” said Mr. Carver. “We will deeply miss her professionalism, vision, expertise and leadership, but wish her the absolute best in her well-earned retirement. Her legacy cannot be overstated.”
Governor Bill Lee added:
“Rebecca has served Tennessee with distinction, and her leadership of the Tennessee Education Lottery has expanded opportunity for students across our state,” said Gov. Lee. “Maria and I are deeply grateful for her years of dedicated service and wish Rebecca and her family God’s richest blessings in the days ahead.”
With over four decades in the lottery industry, Ms. Paul possesses a wealth of knowledge and is sought after by her lottery industry peers for consultation and advice. Her contributions are numerous. She has had the great fortune of training many talented professionals who have risen to the top level of industry management.
Ms. Paul has long played a pivotal role in the lottery industry and is one of its most respected, experienced leaders. She was first appointed to the Illinois Lottery as its CEO on July 25, 1985. From there, she went on to start the Florida, Georgia and Tennessee lotteries as founding CEO. In all four jurisdictions, proceeds were used to support education, helping many millions of students achieve their dream of a higher education. In Tennessee alone, she has led the charge to generating more than $8.3 billion for education, which has funded more than 2.3 million higher education awards to Tennessee students.
Denny Bottorff, Nashville banking giant and first Board chair of the Tennessee Education Lottery, commented, “When we hired Rebecca, we were sure we were getting the best lottery executive in the United States. I now believe she is the best in the world. The quality of life in Tennessee has been measurably improved due to the impact she has had on the education level of our citizens.”
Ms. Paul’s career accomplishments are numerous. As one of the first females to excel in an industry when leadership roles and positions of authority were held mainly by males, Rebecca’s value and commitment to the industry are unmeasurable. Her accomplishments include a long list of lottery, business and civic accomplishments, honors and awards. She was the first female President of the World Lottery Association and a past Chair of its Corporate Social Responsibility Committee. She has served as President and/or Chair of all offices of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries and the Multi-State Lottery Association, and President of the international industry organization A.I.L.E. She serves on the Board of Trustees at Butler University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Ms. Paul is the founder of the Women’s Initiative in Lottery Leadership, a worldwide program designed to support the advancement of women into top positions of lottery management, leadership and responsibility.
“Starting Women in Lottery Leadership has been one of the greatest highlights of my career,” said Ms. Paul. “Working with so many talented, dedicated professionals who truly care about the difference they make in so many lives through the support of good causes has been the other.”
Mr. Carver reflected on the history of Ms. Paul’s leadership:
“She came to Tennessee in September 2003 and helped launch the first ticket sales three weeks early—making it the fastest start-up in lottery history,” he said. “This early start resulted in an additional $30 million in profits that would have otherwise gone unrealized. The Tennessee Education Lottery quickly became the gold standard of effective lottery leadership and success. Rebecca instilled an atmosphere of integrity within the lottery as evidenced by 22 consecutive years of clean state audits.
“I cannot thank Rebecca enough for her contributions to the lottery industry and to our state. She and her entire Tennessee Education Lottery team built our state’s lottery into an industry force, and that foundation will serve Tennesseans well into the lottery’s next chapter.”
Ms. Paul commented: “Throughout my tenure, I had the privilege of learning from 28 board members, some of Tennessee’s best leaders. I will forever be grateful to them for their guidance and support.
“I am extremely proud of the staff and thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with such a talented group of employees.”
To help ensure its continued success, Ms. Paul committed to her Board a six-month notice in order to assist with the transition to a new CEO. The Lottery will provide additional details regarding its transition plan at a later date.
About the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation
The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation operates from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products. Since January 20, 2004, the Lottery has raised more than $8.3 billion to fund designated education programs, including college grants, scholarships, and K-12 after-school programs. In addition to the educational beneficiaries, players have won more than $22.6 billion in prizes and Lottery retailers have earned more than $2.1 billion in commissions.
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Ms. Paul has long played a pivotal role in the lottery industry and is one of its most respected, experienced leaders. She was first appointed to the Illinois Lottery as its CEO on July 25, 1985. From there, she went on to start the Florida, Georgia and Tennessee lotteries as founding CEO. In all four jurisdictions, proceeds were used to support education, helping many millions of students achieve their dream of a higher education. In Tennessee alone, she has led the charge to generating more than $8.3 billion for education, which has funded more than 2.3 million higher education awards to Tennessee students.
June 2, 2026
The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation Announces the Retirement of Rebecca Graham Paul, President and CEO
NASHVILLE--Will Carver, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation, today announced the upcoming retirement of the organization’s longstanding President and CEO, Rebecca Graham Paul. After 23 years of dedicated leadership, building the Tennessee Lottery from the ground up with successes year after year, Ms. Paul is stepping down as its President and CEO on December 31, 2026.
“Rebecca has been an invaluable asset to Tennessee and the lottery industry,” said Mr. Carver. “We will deeply miss her professionalism, vision, expertise and leadership, but wish her the absolute best in her well-earned retirement. Her legacy cannot be overstated.”
Governor Bill Lee added:
“Rebecca has served Tennessee with distinction, and her leadership of the Tennessee Education Lottery has expanded opportunity for students across our state,” said Gov. Lee. “Maria and I are deeply grateful for her years of dedicated service and wish Rebecca and her family God’s richest blessings in the days ahead.”
With over four decades in the lottery industry, Ms. Paul possesses a wealth of knowledge and is sought after by her lottery industry peers for consultation and advice. Her contributions are numerous. She has had the great fortune of training many talented professionals who have risen to the top level of industry management.
Ms. Paul has long played a pivotal role in the lottery industry and is one of its most respected, experienced leaders. She was first appointed to the Illinois Lottery as its CEO on July 25, 1985. From there, she went on to start the Florida, Georgia and Tennessee lotteries as founding CEO. In all four jurisdictions, proceeds were used to support education, helping many millions of students achieve their dream of a higher education. In Tennessee alone, she has led the charge to generating more than $8.3 billion for education, which has funded more than 2.3 million higher education awards to Tennessee students.
Denny Bottorff, Nashville banking giant and first Board chair of the Tennessee Education Lottery, commented, “When we hired Rebecca, we were sure we were getting the best lottery executive in the United States. I now believe she is the best in the world. The quality of life in Tennessee has been measurably improved due to the impact she has had on the education level of our citizens.”
Ms. Paul’s career accomplishments are numerous. As one of the first females to excel in an industry when leadership roles and positions of authority were held mainly by males, Rebecca’s value and commitment to the industry are unmeasurable. Her accomplishments include a long list of lottery, business and civic accomplishments, honors and awards. She was the first female President of the World Lottery Association and a past Chair of its Corporate Social Responsibility Committee. She has served as President and/or Chair of all offices of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries and the Multi-State Lottery Association, and President of the international industry organization A.I.L.E. She serves on the Board of Trustees at Butler University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Ms. Paul is the founder of the Women’s Initiative in Lottery Leadership, a worldwide program designed to support the advancement of women into top positions of lottery management, leadership and responsibility.
“Starting Women in Lottery Leadership has been one of the greatest highlights of my career,” said Ms. Paul. “Working with so many talented, dedicated professionals who truly care about the difference they make in so many lives through the support of good causes has been the other.”
Mr. Carver reflected on the history of Ms. Paul’s leadership:
“She came to Tennessee in September 2003 and helped launch the first ticket sales three weeks early—making it the fastest start-up in lottery history,” he said. “This early start resulted in an additional $30 million in profits that would have otherwise gone unrealized. The Tennessee Education Lottery quickly became the gold standard of effective lottery leadership and success. Rebecca instilled an atmosphere of integrity within the lottery as evidenced by 22 consecutive years of clean state audits.
“I cannot thank Rebecca enough for her contributions to the lottery industry and to our state. She and her entire Tennessee Education Lottery team built our state’s lottery into an industry force, and that foundation will serve Tennesseans well into the lottery’s next chapter.”
Ms. Paul commented: “Throughout my tenure, I had the privilege of learning from 28 board members, some of Tennessee’s best leaders. I will forever be grateful to them for their guidance and support.
“I am extremely proud of the staff and thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with such a talented group of employees.”
To help ensure its continued success, Ms. Paul committed to her Board a six-month notice in order to assist with the transition to a new CEO. The Lottery will provide additional details regarding its transition plan at a later date.
About the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation
The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation operates from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products. Since January 20, 2004, the Lottery has raised more than $8.3 billion to fund designated education programs, including college grants, scholarships, and K-12 after-school programs. In addition to the educational beneficiaries, players have won more than $22.6 billion in prizes and Lottery retailers have earned more than $2.1 billion in commissions.
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