Haslam Announces Appointment to Lottery Board of Directors

Native Memphian to fill post

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced his appointment of Craig Powers to the Tennessee Lottery board of directors. 

“Craig brings a great combination of business sense and a passion for education to the Tennessee Lottery board of directors,” Haslam said.  “The lottery provides students across the state with valuable scholarship dollars to further their education, and I appreciate Craig’s willingness to serve in this important role.”

Powers, 38, serves as the manager of the natural gas construction and maintenance division of the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Utility Service.  He has served as an adjunct professor of Southwest Tennessee Community College for the past decade, and he is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Public Gas Association and Southern Gas Association.

“I believe education can change a person’s course in life, and HOPE scholarships have helped thousands of Tennessee students tap into money for higher education to help them achieve their dreams,” Powers said.  “It is an honor to be part of the process to help students and Tennessee businesses relying on an educated workforce.”

Powers, a Memphis native, graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and a minor in business administration.  He and his wife, Nisha, live in Cordova.

The Tennessee Lottery was created in 2003 and generated $10.8 million in ticket sales on its first day of business on January 20, 2004.  In May, 2011 the Tennessee Lottery announced it had raised more than $2 billion for education.