An announcement made by Governor Ned Lamont has revealed that he is nominating Rob Simmelkjaer to fill a vacancy as chairperson of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation’s Board of Directors.
Simmelkjaer, who is the founder and CEO of Persona Media, has spent most of his career working as a sports media executive in a number of positions with NBC Sports and ESPN.
Between the years of 2011 and 2019, the CEO served as a senior vice president at NBC Sports in Stamford where he was responsible for managing the NBC Sports Ventures unit as well as a collection of NBC Sports properties such as Sports Radio and podcasts.
In addition to this, Simmelkjaer also led NBC Sports’ entry into the sports betting space, launching a popular free-to-play game called NBC Sports Predictor and ‘The Daily Line’, a daily sports betting radio and television show.
Lamont’s nominee has also served as an on-air contributor across multiple NBCUniversal platforms such as NBC Sports, NBCSN, NBC Sports Radio, NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC, notably serving as a studio host on MSNBC during NBC Sports Group’s presentation of the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
Lamont stated: “Rob has years of experience working in a leadership capacity for two of the largest and most respected sports broadcasting companies in the world – both Connecticut-based companies – where he managed international business development and large corporate projects. He will bring to the Lottery board a sharp eye and keen management style that will provide the agency with a greatly-needed refresh.”
Prior to his time at NBC Simmelkjaer also served in various executive positions at ESPN including as its vice president of international development, vice president and assistant to the president, and director of NBA programming.
In his time with ESPN he also managed the network’s relationship with the International Olympic Committee and served as an anchor and correspondent for ESPN and ABC News.
“It is an honor to be nominated to this important role by Governor Lamont,” Simmelkjaer said. “Responsible gaming can play an important role in the fiscal recovery of our state from the current crisis. I look forward to working with Connecticut Lottery CEO Greg Smith and other key stakeholders to ensure that we grow the state’s gaming revenue, while ensuring the highest standards of compliance and oversight.”
13 members make up the Connecticut Lottery Corporation Board of Directors including the state treasurer and secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. The governor appoints five of the members, who must be confirmed by the legislature, and selects the chairperson from among the membership.
Regarding the other members, these are selected by the six top legislative leaders, with the board appointing a president, who is responsible for day-to-day management of the corporation.
Simmelkjaer, who practiced law in New York City prior to his career in television, currently serves on the State Central Committee of the Connecticut Democratic Party, however, will be resigning if his position on the Connecticut Lottery Corporation’s Board of Directors is confirmed.
