LINCOLN, NEBRASKA — In an effort to renew the organization’s commitment to reducing gambling-related harm throughout Nebraska, the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling has recently named Mike Sciandra as their Executive Director. Sciandra replaces Aletha “Buffy” Cornish, who has served as the organization’s Interim Executive Director since 2022.
Sciandra will manage day-to-day operations for the nonprofit organization, which will include problem gambling education and prevention services throughout Nebraska, as well as advocacy and promotion of problem gambling treatment services in the state. Sciandra will also lead collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, membership development, fundraising activities, and promotion of the National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG).
“As gambling becomes more prevalent in Nebraska, now is the time to ensure all Nebraskans are aware of the consequences of problem gambling, resources for problem gambling treatment, and education on how to gamble responsibly,” Sciandra states. “I plan on using my lived experience as a problem gambler in recovery, as well as the relationships I have cultivated in the treatment, prevention, and gaming operator communities, to raise awareness of gambling-related concerns. Nebraska is fortunate to have life-changing resources for those who are potentially struggling with gambling-related harm, and I am determined to ensure all Nebraskans have knowledge of, and access to, these services.”
After a lengthy career in sales, marketing, and management roles, Sciandra has acted as the Education and Outreach Coordinator of Choices Treatment Center since November 2021. Sciandra has a Master of Arts in Management Degree from Doane College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Management from Bellevue University, as well as a Disordered Gambling Counselor Certificate from Bellevue University and a Certified Peer Support Specialist Certificate from Southeast Community College. He also holds certifications as an International Gambling Recovery Specialist (IGRS) and Board Approved Recovery Advisor (BARA) through the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (IPGGC).
For more information, please visit the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling website at http://www.necpg.org. Sciandra can be reached directly via phone at 402-217-1500 or via email at betfreemike@gmail.com.
About NeCPG:
Founded in 1992 as the Nebraska Council on Compulsive Gambling, the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling (NeCPG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the sole Nebraska affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The mission of NeCPG is to increase public awareness of problem gambling, to encourage availability of treatment services for problem gamblers and their families, and to provide resources for education and prevention. NeCPG is also responsible for promoting and answering the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER), and has been instrumental in developing educational opportunities for disordered gambling counselors in Nebraska.
