Government/Politics: KELLY T. GEE

After serving as the Virginia Lottery’s acting executive director since January, Gee was made the lottery’s permanent leader by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in June. She heads an agency that generated
$3.5 billion in fiscal 2022, with more than $770 million in lottery profits going to Virginia public schools.

Gee has been with the independently run state agency since 2018, previously serving as its manager of government relations. She earned her undergraduate degree in government from William & Mary and her master’s degree in political science from Virginia Tech. 

Prior to joining the Virginia Lottery, Gee spent nearly a decade working in state politics. She served as deputy chief of staff for former Republican Speaker of the House Kirk Cox and was also a legislative associate for consulting company Stateside Associates.

With the Virginia Lottery responsible for regulating newly legal casinos and internet sports betting operators in the commonwealth, Gee takes the helm of the agency at a critical time, as casinos in Bristol, Norfolk, Danville and Portsmouth move through the licensing process. In April, the Hard Rock Bristol casino received a license to open in a temporary space.