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MANAGEMENT TEAM

 The California Lottery leadership team believes in empowering staff to do their most impactful work, and driving our mission to make a difference in California public education.

Alva Johnson
Alva Johnson

Director

Alva Vernon Johnson was appointed Director of the California State Lottery in June, 2019. Director Johnson’s public policy expertise includes government gaming, tribal affairs and education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University, East Bay, and a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

As a policy analyst, Johnson previously worked for over a decade in public service on K-12 and higher education issues, including time with the California State Legislature and the Governor’s Office. He also briefly represented the California Department of Education and the California State Lottery as a legislative liaison. Subsequently, Johnson served as chief consultant to the Governmental Organization committee in the State Assembly from 2002 to 2003. 

Most recently, Johnson managed governmental affairs for several federally-recognized Indian tribes in California, including the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians from 2005 to 2015 and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians from 2016 to 2018.

Harjinder Shergill Chima
Harjinder K. Shergill-Chima

Chief Deputy Director

 

Fernando Aceves
Fernando Aceves

Chief  Legal Counsel


Sharon Allen
Sharon Allen

Deputy Director, Sales & Marketing

 

Cheryl Artega
Cheryl Artega

Equal Employment Opportunity Officer

 

Carolyn Becker
Carolyn Becker

Deputy Director
Public Affairs & Communications

  

Nick Buchen
Nicholas Buchen

Deputy Director, Finance

 

Jennifer Chan
Jennifer Chan

Deputy Director, IT Services

 

Tiffany Donohue
Tiffany Donohue

Deputy Director, Operations

 

Chris Fernandez
Chris Fernandez

Deputy Director, Human Resources
 

 

Jim Hasagawa
Jim Hasagawa

Deputy Director, Business Planning

 

Paula Negrete
Paula Negrete

Deputy Director, External Affairs

Sara Sheikholislam

Sara Sheikholislam

Deputy Director, Internal Audits

John Lowden

Deputy Director
Security & Law Enforcement

 

vacant position open
Vacant

Chief Enterprise Risk Officer