National Council on Problem Gambling Announces 2026 Board of Directors Election Results

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) today announced the results of its 2026 Board of Directors election. Five newly elected members and one reelected member will join the Board to help guide NCPG’s mission to lead awareness and advocacy efforts to reduce gambling-related harm. The incoming directors bring a wide range of professional experience and expertise spanning clinical treatment, state-level advocacy, prevention and education, compliance, and responsible gambling initiatives.

The NCPG Board of Directors is a volunteer governing body that provides strategic leadership, fiduciary oversight, and organizational direction for the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction. Board members serve as ambassadors for NCPG’s mission, help shape the organization’s strategic priorities, and support its long-term sustainability and impact. The Board is composed of representatives from NCPG’s member categories — Affiliates, Individuals, and Organizations — ensuring a broad range of perspectives and expertise in the organization’s governance. Newly elected Board members will officially begin their terms on July 1, 2026.

“Our Board members bring an extraordinary level of passion, experience, and commitment to NCPG’s mission at a pivotal time for the field,” said Derek Longmeier. “Their diverse perspectives and leadership will help strengthen our efforts to reduce gambling-related harm and expand support for individuals, families, and communities affected by problem gambling nationwide.”

Incoming Board Members (2026–2029 Terms, unless noted)

Affiliates Seats

Tana Russell, Deputy Director, Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (ECPG, Washington State), has served at the ECPG since 2019, advancing to Deputy Director in 2024. She holds multiple national and state certifications in substance use, gambling counseling, and tobacco treatment, and serves on NCPG committees and the Washington State Gambling Counselor Certification Committee. She is an active trainer and presenter to gaming industry leadership on responsible gambling policies, and a co-author of curriculum for treatment and educational programs.

Vena Schexnayder, Founder and Executive Director, Arkansas Problem Gambling Council (re-elected for second term), brings over 15 years of prevention and addiction services experience. She co-authored Arkansas House Bill 1847, the state’s Self-Exclusion Bill, and serves in national leadership roles including NCPG State Affiliate Co-Chair, the Social Work Action Coalition Board, and the DraftKings Responsible Gaming State Council Funding Steering Committee. Schexnayder holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University.

Jamie Glick, Executive Director, Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado, leads statewide problem gambling prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives in Colorado and created the first Assessment and Treatment of Gambling Disorder course at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. He brings over a decade of executive leadership in behavioral health and addiction services, and has built partnerships with government agencies, universities, athletic organizations, and healthcare systems to elevate public dialogue around gambling-related harm.

Individuals Seat

Jody Bechtold, CEO, The Better Institute, is a leading figure in gambling disorder treatment and currently serves as Board President of the International Professional Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IPGGC). She holds the highest certifications globally in gambling disorder treatment and brings deep expertise in navigating the field’s evolution from traditional casino gaming to digital sports betting and online gambling, including co-occurring disorders and evidence-based treatment modalities.

Individuals Seat (1-Year Vacancy Term, 2026–2027)

Anne Rogers, Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, brings over 30 years in public health and prevention, with the past five years focused exclusively on problem gambling. She was hired by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2021 to build its statewide problem gambling mitigation system and has chaired the Virginia Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Advisory Committee since 2022. She founded NAADGS’s Prevention Committee and brings deep expertise in the SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework.

Organizational Seat

Richard Taylor, Jr., Director of Responsible Gambling, BetMGM, oversees responsible gambling and marketing compliance strategy for BetMGM, including the GameSense program. A Las Vegas native and United States Marine Corps veteran, he previously served in Government Affairs and Military Affairs roles at MGM Resorts International. He currently serves on NCPG’s Military Committee, Nevada’s Advisory Committee on Problem Gambling, and the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling board.