CHATTANOOGA — Rebecca Graham Paul will retire as President and CEO of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation on December 31, 2026. She provided her board with a six-month notice to assist with the transition to a new CEO.

Paul has served as President and CEO of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation for 23 years, having come to Tennessee in September 2003. Under her leadership, the lottery launched its first ticket sales three weeks early—the fastest start-up in lottery history—and generated more than $8.3 billion for education, funding over 2.3 million higher education awards to Tennessee students.

Paul brought more than four decades of experience in the lottery industry to the role. She previously served as founding CEO of the Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee lotteries and was first appointed CEO of the Illinois Lottery on July 25, 1985. She also served as president or chair of all offices of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, the Multi-State Lottery Association, and the international organization A.I.L.E. In addition, she was the first female president of the World Lottery Association and past chair of its Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.

“Rebecca has been an invaluable asset to Tennessee and the lottery industry,” said Will Carver, chair of the board of directors of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation. Carver added, “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.” Governor Bill Lee said, “Rebecca has served Tennessee with distinction, and her leadership of the Tennessee Education Lottery has expanded opportunity for students across our state.”

Paul is also the founder of the Women’s Initiative in Lottery Leadership, a global program supporting women in top lottery management roles. “Starting Women in Lottery Leadership has been one of the greatest highlights of my career,” Paul said. “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.”

The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation will provide additional details about its transition plan at a later date.