New York Lottery Virtual Talent Search Yields Three New Draw Team Members

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Makita Bond Head Shot

• Gretchen Dizer Head Shot
• Jina Matthews Head Shot

New York Lottery Icon Yolanda Vega today introduced three new additions to the Lottery draw team. The three new spokeswomen were selected from among the more than 1,000 resumes received from as far away as Michigan following the launch of the Lottery’s first-ever virtual talent search on March 5, 2008.

“The web-only search produced exactly the kind of mega response we expected,” said Vega, an 18-year veteran of the Lottery’s drawing stage. “It’s very energizing to see so many bright and talented young men and women interested in being part of the uniquely New York tradition that is the New York Lottery draw team. It inspires me and makes me prouder than ever to be part of the team.”

The three newcomers to share hosting responsibilities and public appearances with Vega include: Makita Bond, a native of Forest Hills, Queens who most recently worked as a television host for a cable access music video show; Gretchen Dizer of Buffalo who recently returned from Ireland where she earned her Master’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology; and Jina Matthews, a promotions coordinator from Baltimore, Maryland who has already made the move to New York. The Lottery’s two other current drawing emcees, Marissa Rodriguez and Sarah Pingel, round out the Lottery’s new six-member draw team.

As part of its virtual search process, the Lottery reviewed more than 1,000 resumes and accompanying photos submitted to a dedicated e-mailbox located on the Lottery’s web site, nylottery.org. The deadline for submitting materials to the e-mailbox was March 28, 2008. The Lottery then contacted over 100 applicants via phone to assess their level of interest in the civil service position. Approximately 50 candidates interviewed via phone were invited to participate in an audition held in the Lottery’s drawing studio in Schenectady. Those attending the audition were required to undergo an extensive background review.

Lottery Director Gordon Medenica said, “In the end, the Lottery extended an offer of employment to the three candidates with the right mix of experience, enthusiasm and on-camera presence to make them immediate and valuable assets to the New York Lottery. We are confident that Makita, Gretchen and Jina will hit the ground running.”

The first of the new team members is expected to make her drawings debut in July. The three will begin a full public appearance schedule immediately.

The New York Lottery contributed nearly $2.6 billion to help support education in New York State on revenues of $7.549 billion in fiscal year 2007-08 - - a profit margin of 34.3%. Last year, the Lottery’s earnings accounted for over 13% of total state education funding. The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, earning over $34.2 billion in education support statewide since its founding over 40 years ago.

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