10 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • JULY/AUGUST 2024 Nurturing an industry-wide culture of collaboration and support Cindy Polzin Director, Wisconsin Lottery President, North American Association of State & Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) Paul Jason: What a fabulous NASPL annual conference & Trade Show you hosted last October in Milwaukee. Cindy Polzin: Yes, wasn't that special? I have known the NASPL team for many years now, but gained a newfound respect for them, seeing everything that needs to be done to make all the parts move in the right direction at the right time to produce a great event. Since it was in Milwaukee, I wanted there to be a Wisconsin touch and feeling on everything. And since I was going to be NASPL president, I wanted a true understanding of what the NASPL and Wisconsin Lottery staff and others have to go through for these conferences. Walking side-by-side with them and seeing David Gale's (Executive Director of NASPL) leadership and all of the hard work that his very close team put into it is truly astonishing. It’s so great to recognize the talent and hard work that goes into a production like that. David Gale and Team NASPL deliver on that front and others as well. C. Polzin: Yes! Now that I have been in president of NASP, I see just how much they do. Of course, we are all aware of the educational seminars and other outputs of the association. But getting up close and personal with all the work involved to produce the seminars and deliver all the services provided by NASPL has given me a new perspective and appreciation for David Gale and Team NASPL. I feel so blessed for the opportunity to get to know them so well over the past year. I'm sure there were times David Gale wished I wasn’t so involved! But in the end, I think we worked very well together. And honestly, I am forever grateful for them and their support and all that they do to make this industry what it is today. And a shout-out to our vendor partners who are so vital to the success of this industry and so appreciated for their support and guidance on the conferences too. I’m probably speaking for you and Susan too, who already know what it’s like to produce an event like this. PGRI Introduction: As Cindy Polzin says “I’ve been in politics my whole life.” She served for fifteen years in state government including Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor of Wisconsin in 2016 just prior to her appointment to lead the Wisconsin Lottery. That prepared her for some of the mission-critical functions of a lottery director. For the rest, she learned on the job. This discussion is largely about that process. How does a new director, who often has no experience in this industry, or business management or consumer products marketing, begin the leadership role on day one? Now, seven plus years later, Cindy brings a fun and thoughtful perspective to this interesting journey. PGRI INTERVIEWS
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