Lightbody Named CEO of BCLC
After serving as interim Chief Executive Officer for 14 months, Jim Lightbody has been appointed to a permanent position at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
The BCLC confirmed Lightbody's appointment this week, through an announcement made by its Board of Directors.
Lightbody will work through the Kamloops based office. He replaced Michael Graydon who left in January 2014.
"The Board of Directors believes Jim Lightbody is the best person to lead this organization in this time of renewal," said Bud Smith, BCLC's chairman of the board. "He has demonstrated strong leadership in the last 14 months as interim CEO. That combined with his understanding of the organization, his commitment to innovation and to employee engagement make him the ideal person to lead the organization going forward.
14 Years with BCLC
Jim Lightbody is no stranger to the BCLC and has served for 14 years with the corporation. Within the group, he has served as Vice President of Lottery Gaming and Vice President of Casino and Community Gaming, and has provided leadership in strategy, marketing and product development.
Prior to joining the BCLC, Lightbody held leadership positions at Procter & Gamble, BC Hot House and Nabob Foods.
Lightbody has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of BC, where he majored in marketing.
Former CEO in Salary Scandal
In July last year, the former CEO of the lottery corporation, Michael Graydon, was asked to hand back $55,000 in salary that he was paid before leaving to take a new job.
The BCLC sent a legal request to Graydon, saying that he was in conflict of interest when the accepted a management position with an affiliate of Paragon Gaming. The Las Vegas based affiliate operates Vancouver's Edgewater Casino and is interested in creating a major casino resort next to BC Place.
"Given the findings of the review that Mr. Graydon was in a conflict of interest for two months prior to his departure, which he failed to disclose, BCLC has requested that Mr. Graydon repay the two months' salary for the notice period and salary holdback he received," noted the BCLC in July.
