Garland named executive director of NC Education Lottery

Garland was among the first staff hired at the Education Lottery and has served as deputy executive director for legislative and corporate communications since March 2006 when the lottery began operations.

Garland previously served in executive posts handling governmental affairs and communications, including positions as assistant secretary for communications and external affairs with the North Carolina Department of Commerce; state director of the U.S. Senate office of former U.S. Sen. John Edwards; and director of public affairs for ElectriCities of North Carolina.

The commission unanimously voted for Garland, after a national search that included 55 applications and extensive review of the backgrounds checks of four finalists, commission Chairman Robert Farris said.

“Alice has shown as acting executive director over the past several months the leadership style which we expect will continue to provide maximum returns for the school children of North Carolina through an honest, fiscally sound operation,” Farris said in a statement. “It became apparent to each of the commissioners in interviewing the other candidates that Alice Garland stood out as our top choice.”

Garland, a native of Greeneville, Tenn., has lived in Raleigh for more than 40 years. She received a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary with a major in urban studies and a minor in economics and received a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.