2026 C-suite government: KHALID JONES

In his first full fiscal year leading the Virginia Lottery, Jones oversaw an operation that generated more than $5.7 billion in revenue and returned more than $901 million to K-12 public education — the second-highest profit total in the agency’s 37-year history. Appointed executive director by then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2024, Jones also regulates casinos and online sports betting as Virginia expands legalized gaming. In 2025, statewide casino revenue increased by 32% from 2024, and in the past year, temporary casinos in Petersburg and Norfolk have opened while permanent structures are under construction.

Jones brought a private sector background in law, investment and licensing to the state role, including a decade as an attorney handling large-scale financial investigations, positions with SourceRock Partners and All American Licensing, and advisory work for lottery organizations, including the Multi-State Lottery Association.

He also holds a patent related to streaming media and has spoken on technology and innovation, including a TEDx talk on blockchain in sports. A graduate of Wake Forest University and Stanford Law School, Jones framed his role simply: “How do I get a billion dollars back to schoolchildren this year?”