Gov. Bruce Rauner has appointed the chief of operations and technology for the Illinois Lottery to take over as the lottery’s acting director.

Rauner said Friday that Harold Mays will become interim acting director of the $2 billion-per-year lottery. He replaces Gregory Smith, who is taking over as head of the Connecticut Lottery.

Mays has led the lottery’s daily operations since 2013. He previously was a program management office executive for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services.

Mays says he’s “humbled and honored” by the appointment. He will be paid $142,000 per year.