N.C. Lottery plans expensive personnel moves

Dec 9, 2005, 7:06 am (6 comments)

North Carolina Lottery

Shaheen to hire 18 deputies and assistants at pay up to $190,000

Tom Shaheen won't be the only lottery official who makes more money than the governor.

Shaheen, the executive director of North Carolina's new lottery, said yesterday that he's getting ready to hire six deputy executive directors who could make as much as $190,000 their first year.

An additional 12 assistant directors could make as much as $156,000 under the plan, which the N.C. Lottery Commission approved.

At their highest level, the pay packages would include a base salary and a bonus for selling scratch tickets by April 5.

"I know that people in many businesses work long hours, but these people will work long hours all the time," Shaheen said.

Shaheen has a base salary of $235,000 a year and is eligible for a $50,000 bonus. Gov. Mike Easley is paid $123,819 a year.

Lottery commissioners said that the state would make its money back by starting the lottery quickly and by having experienced employees at the start.

"What we're investing now compared to where we want to go is really pretty modest," said Charles Sanders, the chairman of the lottery commission.

The lottery is expected to raise $400 million to $450 million a year in proceeds.

Of that, 50 percent would go to hire more elementary-school teachers and expand a pre-kindergarten program.

Forty percent would go to help counties build schools, and 10 percent would be earmarked for college scholarships.

But so far, the only employees that the lottery are Shaheen and a few assistants.

Their office is across the street from a Raleigh shopping center, and their sign is a sheet of poster board with the words "Lottery Commission" written in black marker.

Shaheen said he hopes to make his first hires right before or right after Christmas.

"We're building one brick at a time," he said.

The six deputy executive directors will be in charge of sales; marketing and advertising; finance and administration; management information systems; legal and security issues; and legislative and corporate communications.

Shaheen is allowed to offer them $110,000 to $145,000, although he could add 20 percent with the blessing of a lottery-commission subcommittee if the right candidates come along.

The duties of the 12 assistant directors would be assigned when they are hired. Their salary range is from $80,000 to $120,000, plus the possible 20 percent increase.

An additional 40 people could make between $50,000 and $90,000.

Bonuses for starting the lottery on time would range from $16,000 for the deputy executive directors to $1,000 for employees making less.

The bonuses would be available to people hired through March 25, with later hires eligible for smaller bonuses.

"I think these are fairly modest bonuses because of the level of effort involved here," said Linda Carlisle, a lottery commissioner from Greensboro.

Sanders said that the commission has received more than 400 applications so far.

Also at its meeting yesterday, commissioners voted to set up a business checking account and to allow Shaheen to sign checks for up to $25,000.

They also decided to hire two lawyers, one of whom will be temporary, and they decided that top lottery employees would be bonded as a precaution against potential dishonesty.

Winston-Salem Journal

Comments

LOTTOMIKE's avatarLOTTOMIKE

get this thing started off right and have balls!!

Chewie

get this thing started off right and have balls!!

IF only wishes could come true.  However, don't take out any loans for betting on that happening.

Todd's avatarTodd

With all the money they are spending on personnel, they better not skimp when it comes time to buy drawing machines.  People will be outraged if the N.C. Lottery tries to plead poverty and cuts a few dollars to go with computerized drawings.

They think the recent scandals were bad?  Just wait and see what happens if they try to put those terrible computerized drawings in place.

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

With all the money they are spending on personnel, they better not skimp when it comes time to buy drawing machines.  People will be outraged if the N.C. Lottery tries to plead poverty and cuts a few dollars to go with computerized drawings.

They think the recent scandals were bad?  Just wait and see what happens if they try to put those terrible computerized drawings in place.

Yes NodI hope you'll right. 

sirbrad's avatarsirbrad

Wow those greedy mothers. How can I get a job working for the lottery? Is that $50,000 bonus once, or once a year? Seems very convenient too overpay themselves at the expense of the poor. I guess another way to win the lottery is to work for them.

Chewie

NC's not doing anything other states aren't doing - it's just the shark mentality at full force.  The Bush Haters have been doing it for years.  Now, with the new lottery states, the Lottery Haters get something to allow them publicity.

End of comments
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