J. Christopher Williams, former president and CEO of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, is beginning a three-year term as a New Hampshire Lottery commissioner. Williams, who was confirmed on March 7 by the Executive Council, takes over for former commissioner David Gelinas whose term ended in June 2017.

“I know how big of an impact the New Hampshire Lottery has on the state’s education structure, having delivered $76.1 million in education revenue last year alone. To be asked to play a role supporting that effort is simply an honor,” Williams said. “The New Hampshire Lottery is well-positioned for growth and I feel extremely fortunate to be in a position to bring my business planning and organizational design experience to the table. I look forward to working with the other commissioners and the executive director to find ways to attract new players and to drive more revenue for education in New Hampshire.”

Debra Douglas is the chairman of the three-member New Hampshire Lottery Commission. Paul Holloway serves as the third commissioner.

“We are pleased to have Chris Williams join the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. He brings an exciting new perspective to the New Hampshire Lottery,” Debra Douglas said. “Chris’s impressive business experience, coupled with his efforts to cultivate and grow New Hampshire’s workforce—particularly his efforts to retain and foster young talent in New Hampshire—will no doubt help us as we look to engage the next generation of players.”

Williams, who served as president and CEO of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce from 2006-2015, is currently the director of people operations at OneVision Resources, which is based in Boston, where he oversees all aspects of talent, recruitment and development activities, as well as the company’s organizational design. He was also a partner with velocityHUB in Nashua from 2015-2017, and served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1994-2000.

Williams was a founding director and former co-chairman of Stay Work Play, and was a former board director for the New Hampshire Forum on the Future. He also served on former Governor John Lynch’s Task Force for Young Workforce Retention and Recruitment.

“The New Hampshire Lottery is known for creative, fun and exciting games and initiatives, and I hope my experience working with young professionals will help generate fresh concepts and ways to explore new audiences,” Williams added.

A 2013 graduate of the Leadership NH Program, Williams was named one of the New Hampshire Union Leader’s “40 Under Forty” in 2006. Williams received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Texas A&M University in 1997 and his Master of Arts degree in international relations from Boston University in 1999.