President and CEO of OLG resigns

NEWS RELEASE

The Board named Tom Marinelli, Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer & Chief Information Officer, to be Acting President & CEO while the Board launches a search.

Mr. Olsson thanked Mr. Phillips, who has been in the role since 2011, for his service and leadership, "Rod Phillips has led OLG to its highest Net Profit to the Province since 2005. He has captained the design and launch of the modernization of Ontario's lottery and gaming industry. Under his watch OLG has achieved its highest level of public confidence. We wish him well in his new position."

Mr. Olsson underlined that the modernization of OLG is now well underway, "The Board is fully supportive and OLG is in active procurement across the province. We are looking forward to the next phase of modernization as we begin to choose service providers later this year. As part of modernization, OLG is continuing to work with the Ontario government and the horse racing sector to integrate horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy."

Upon receiving Mr. Phillips' resignation, the Board of Directors appointed long-serving OLG executive Tom Marinelli to the position of Acting President & CEO.

Mr. Olsson stated, "The leadership team at OLG is an enormously capable group who will continue to lead the core business as well as modernization."

Added Mr. Olsson, "Mr. Marinelli has been Acting CEO on a previous occasion and he has the full confidence of the Board of Directors. Mr. Marinelli will do a great job as he guides the organization through the next phase of modernization."

Mr. Phillips said in a statement that he is leaving OLG for a position in the private sector that will be announced by the new organization in February, "It's been a tremendous privilege to serve the public alongside OLG employees. Under the leadership of Philip Olsson, Chair of the Board and Tom Marinelli, Acting President & CEO, I am confident that OLG is well-positioned to modernize the industry and to achieve great success in the years to come."

OLG is an Operational Enterprise responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities.

Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $38 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. 

OLG's annual payments to the Province have helped support health care; education, research, prevention and treatment of problem gambling; amateur sport through the QUEST FOR GOLD program; and local and provincial charities.

*************************