NASHVILLE, TENN.--Seven people will convene in Nashville today to begin the work that will affect hundreds of millions of dollars, virtually any student considering college in Tennessee and an untold number of people eager to begin gambling legally.

The board of directors of the Tennessee Lottery Corporation is in a delicate position because one of its first actions will be among its most important: hiring an experienced executive director to run the games. Its search may include people in South Carolina. Lottery experts agree a good CEO is essential to getting the lottery off to a smooth, efficient and virtuous start.

The law that passed the General Assembly this year requires the director have at least two years of experience as a CEO or chief operating officer of a state lottery in the United States or a minimum of five years' management experience with a state lottery.

"There's a big difference between the startup phase and the day-to-day operations of an existing lottery," said Rep. Chris Newton, a Benton Republican who sponsored the lottery legislation in the House.

Among the names mentioned is Tony Cooper, a veteran lottery official who helped South Carolina get its lottery off the ground last year as its chief operating officer.

Cooper said it would be presumptuous to indicate an interest in the Tennessee job because the board hasn't even met yet. "We'll just see how things work out," he said, and added, "I think Tennessee has a great lottery law. The governor has appointed, it seems, a very diverse and knowledgeable board. Tennessee is on the verge of having a really world-class lottery."

If he were asked to advise the board on anything, Cooper said he would offer the following: "You have to have three very important things, and I'll say them in order of importance: Integrity, integrity and integrity."