Donald R. Sweitzer | Chairman, IGT Global Solutions Corp.
1. Why did you accept Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s offer to work with her at the Democratic Governors Association? I’ve spent a substantial portion of my adult life working for and supporting Democratic candidates at the federal and state levels, and this volunteer role is a perfect opportunity to continue that mission. The timing could not have been better, either, having announced my retirement from IGT [on Dec. 31] earlier this month.
2. What will be your duties as the association’s treasurer? My responsibilities are directly tied to the association’s goals of supporting Democratic governors and their policies, particularly those related to critically important areas, such as education and workforce development. I will also be supporting Gov. Raimondo in raising resources and developing campaign strategies for incumbent Democratic governors, as well as candidates challenging incumbent Republicans or running for open seats.
3. What do you consider your biggest accomplishment at IGT? The construction of IGT Center on Memorial Boulevard in Providence is one of my most satisfying accomplishments. It was a complicated proposal that took a lot of collaboration between the company and elected representatives at the city and state levels, but all the work was well worth it when those first shovels went in the ground. It has also been immensely rewarding to see the growth of so many company leaders.
4. How have you dealt with government officials while at IGT? A significant portion of my responsibilities at IGT centered on meeting with governors around the country and prime ministers and treasury ministers around the world. The goal of every interaction was to demonstrate why IGT was best positioned to handle the gaming or lottery needs of any state or country, not only through the skills of our employees and the company’s investment in new technology but also through the commitment to corporate social responsibility.
5. What do you see as the future of gaming, especially regarding new technologies? Sports betting has certainly been a big topic of conversation over the last several months, and I don’t expect the conversation at the state or federal levels will slow down. … That said, the future of gaming, much like its past, will center on the ongoing development of new technology, new equipment, and new ideas to meet the demand of customers and their players.
Scott Blake is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Blake@PBN.com.
