INDIANAPOLIS (December 7, 2006) ? Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Esther Schneider has informed Governor Mitch Daniels that she will leave her position. The governor has appointed Kathryn Densborn, of Indianapolis, to replace her.

Schneider will transition out of the position in mid-January; Densborn will begin work next week.

?Esther told me in the fall that it was her intention to step down early next year. She made needed changes to restore confidence to state lottery operations, and she just finished leading the lottery to a record financial return. We?re grateful for her service,? said Daniels. ?We welcome Kathryn back to public service. The lottery is a unique entity, and Kathryn has the right mix of skills to lead it.?

The Lottery reported in November that it returned a record $218 million to the state for Fiscal Year 2006. The amount surpassed the previous profit mark of $204 in FY99.

Densborn was the legislative liaison and public information officer for the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance in 2005. She ran as a candidate for state representative this year. From 1998 to 2005, she worked for the St. Luke Catholic Church in communications and development. She earned a business degree from Indiana University.