Clive, Iowa (RI) — Iowa Lottery CEO Mat Strawn is leaving to take over as the president and CEO of the West Des Moines marketing and communications firm Strategic America.
Strawn became on the third person to lead the Lottery when he took over in 2019, and says he is ready for a new challenge.
The Iowa Lottery set sales records during his tenure, and he says that is due to the people he worked with.
Strawn had previously been the chair of the Iowa Republican party and had his own public affairs firm when he accepted the Lottery position.
He started leading the Iowa Lottery just as the pandemic was getting underway.
Strawn says it was a time of uncertainty for more than 100 Lottery employees.
Things got back on track, and the Iowa Lottery went on to set sales records buoyed by billion-dollar lotto jackpots.
Strawn says the introduction of sports betting and other forms of entertainment in recent years have forced the Lottery to shift its strategic approach
That includes things like the State Fair, NASCAR races at the Iowa Speedway, and concerts are various venues.
The Iowa Lottery was also part of the government reorganization, as it became one of the areas overseen by the Iowa Department of Revenue. Strawn says it has faced economic “headwinds” that the lottery industry has seen nationwide.
Strawn will take over at Strategic America on June 8th.
KIWA Staff Photo
