NCPG Announces 2021 Board of Directors Election Results

The Five New Board Members Terms Will Serve Three-Year Terms

Washington, DC – The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) today announced the results of its Board of Directors election. Five people have been elected to serve from July 2021 to July 2024. NCPG’s Board of Directors helps guide policies and implement strategies that achieve organizational goals. Board members use the entire scope of their skills and experience to serve all NCPG’s stakeholders.

“NCPG’s Board of Directors is a driving force in our efforts to address responsible gambling and problem gambling issues,” said NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte. “Congratulations to Jeff Derevensky, Karen Russo, Ted Hartwell, Derek Longmeier and Phil Sherwood on their election. Their leadership and expertise will be invaluable.”

Whyte added, “We also want to thank Stacey Shaw, Brad Longcake, Janet Miller and Robert Jacobson for their incredible service on the Board of Directors that concludes when the new term starts. NCPG is in a good place because of the leadership they provided during this time of rapid change in the gambling industry.”

“As my time on NCPG’s Board of Directors draws to a close I am optimistic about the organization’s future,” said Robert Jacobson, President of the NCPG Board of Directors and Executive Director of the California Council on Problem Gambling. “The Board will have a terrific mix of incumbent directors who have helped grow and sustain NCPG’s reputation as a leading authority on problem and responsible gaming, and newly elected members who can push the organization to even greater heights.”

Information about Newly Elected NCPG Board of Directors

Jeffrey Derevensky

Individual Seat – Jeffrey Derevensky, PhD is the Director of the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University; a James McGill Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology; and Professor, Department of Psychiatry at McGill University. He is a clinical consultant to numerous government and health organizations and has served as consultant for SAMHSA, NIMH, NRC, NCPG and many other funding agencies. He will represent individuals.

Karen Russo

Organizational Seat – Karen Russo was named Director of Responsible Gambling at the Ohio Lottery Commission in January 2020 and serves as the Lottery’s Problem Gambling Advocate, ensuring best practices in corporate social responsibility. In her nearly 30-year tenure at the Lottery, she has held various positions in the Sales Division, Web Administration, communications and public relations. Russo also serves on the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) Responsible Gambling & Regulation Committee, the Ohio Problem Gambling Advisory Board and the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio Advisory Board. She received the NASPL 2019 Powers Award and 15 national awards, along with state agency partners for problem gambling awareness programs. Russo has presented at in-state & national conferences throughout the years on creating a statewide voluntary exclusion program and the success of Ohio’s problem gambling stakeholder partnerships. She will represent organizations.

Ted Hartwell

Affiliate Seat – Ted Hartwell has a Master’s degree in Anthropology and has been a member of the research faculty of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Las Vegas since 1991. He is the Principal Investigator of a DRI research study examining the impact of problem gambling in Native American tribal communities in Nevada. As a problem gambler in long-term recovery himself, he promotes awareness, prevention, and treatment of problem gambling as a consultant to the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling. Hartwell has participated for many years in the UNLV International Gaming Institute’s Responsible Gaming Ambassador training program for Las Vegas Sands Corporation. He helped introduce the NCPG’s youth and family gambling awareness programs into the Clark County School District, and developed educational programs for local schools on the topics of video gaming disorder and student-athlete gambling awareness. In additional, Hartwell has served at the pleasure of three Governors on the Nevada State Advisory Committee on Problem Gambling.

Derek Longmeier

Affiliate Seat – Derek Longmeier is the Executive Director of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio. He also chairs NCPG’s Affiliate Committee and co-chairs the Infrastructure Committee of Ohio for Responsible Gambling’s Problem Gambling Service Advisory Board. Derek has attained certification from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board as an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant. He holds an MBA from Ohio Dominican University, a BA in Psychology from The Ohio State University, and a Certificate in Social Enterprise from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. He will represent affiliates.

Phil Sherwood

Affiliate Seat – Phil Sherwood brings 21 years of experience directing advocacy, government relations, and communication programs across New England. He has led more than 75 advocacy, electoral, public health, and responsible and problem gambling communication campaigns throughout the region. As Director of Communications and Marketing with the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health, he manages the public relations and communications efforts and recently led the organization through a major rebranding process. He will represent affiliates.

To learn more about the newly-elected Board of Director members click here (HYPERLINK).

About the National Council on Problem Gambling
Based in Washington DC, the National Council on Problem Gambling is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction by working with all stakeholders. NCPG is neutral on legalized gambling. If gambling becomes a problem, NCPG urges people who gamble, as well as their loved ones, to contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline, which offers hope and help without judgment or shame. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call or text 1-800-522-4700 or visit www.ncpgambling.org/chat. Help is available 24/7 – it is free, anonymous and confidential.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2021

CONTACT:
John Norton
johnn@ncpgambling.org
202-360-4560