International Game Technology PLC (IGT) reported that its Vice President of Global Lottery Marketing, Michelle Carney, is set to receive the Public Gaming Research Institute’s (PGRI) Major Peter J. O’Connell Lottery Industry Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented at the PGRI Lottery Expo Nashville on September 12.
The Major Peter J. O’Connell Lottery Industry Lifetime Achievement Award, established in 1993, recognizes individuals for their contributions to the igaming industry.
Carney’s role at IGT includes formulating marketing and communications strategies for IGT’s Global Lottery sector and managing relationships with industry organizations, including the World Lottery Association (WLA), European Lotteries (EL), and the National Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL).
Over the years, Carney has collaborated with lotteries and associations, focusing on the Powerball and Mega Millions multi-jurisdictional games in the U.S.
Carney earned her MBA from the University of Rhode Island’s College of Business and a Bachelor’s degree from Ursinus College. She operates out of IGT’s North America Lottery Headquarters in Providence, R.I.
Major Peter J. O’Connell, after whom the award is named, had roles in the lottery sector, including the development of different ticket systems. He was the first director of the Rhode Island Lottery from 1974 to 1993. In 1988, during his time as the first President of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), Lotto*America was created, which later evolved into the Powerball.
“As an accomplished lottery marketing executive, Michelle Carney has spent much of her career at IGT driving results and cultivating strong, valuable relationships with our global lottery customers,” said Wendy Montgomery, IGT SVP Marketing, Communications and Sustainability. “Our lottery customers trust Michelle to ensure that IGT is providing them with the highest quality lottery services to grow their business, and unrivaled products that deliver premier experiences to their players. Michelle is an exceptional lottery marketing leader, and we congratulate her for being recognized for the Lottery Industry Lifetime Achievement Award.”
“I am truly honored to be receiving the Lottery Industry Lifetime Achievement Award, especially given its ties to my home state as its named after fellow Rhode Islander, the late Major Peter J. O’Connell,” said Carney.”It has been a privilege to spend the last 23 years of my career at IGT, working with so many wonderful colleagues, peers, and customers around the world to help drive the lottery industry forward.”
