Buddy W. Roogow, Maryland State Lottery Agency Director

Five Things I Have To Have Now

March 30, 2008

Buddy W. Roogow's job is to give away money. As head of the state lottery agency since 1996, he has given away billions. "I do get a little envious at times," he says. "But we all have a certain role to play, and mine is to give away money."

Roogow, 58, grew up in Allentown, Pa., and Baltimore, and has spent most of his career in government service. He was county administrator in Howard County and deputy chief of staff for Gov. William Donald Schaefer before Gov. Parris N. Glendening appointed him to oversee the lottery agency.

He lives with his wife, Billie, in Ellicott City, and they have three adult children.

As lottery director, he isn't allowed to play Maryland's games, although he occasionally indulges that urge by playing lotteries out of state.

But most of the items on his wish list are things that money can't buy anyway.

1. A day with Stephen Hawking.

"I love astronomy. I love to read about his theories of black holes and the time travel."

2. A trip to the Galapagos Islands.

"I want to see the turtles. I understand they're trying to reduce tourism there and I'd like to see them before then."

3. A day with the Seinfeld cast.

"I want to be there if they do a reunion show."

4. Complete my S-gauge American Flyer model train layout.

"I built it once with a friend, and we had to take it down because his wife wanted to use the basement. I'm beginning to engineer this thing again."

5. Play outfield for the Orioles

"I'd like to play for at least one game before they boo me off the field. I can catch a fly ball, but I probably can't hit a 90-mile-an-hour fast ball."

[LIZ ATWOOD]