Don McNay

McNay was born in Covington, Kentucky, on February 13, 1959, to parents Joseph O. McNay (1933–1993){{cite book|last1=McNay|first1=Don|title=Son of a Son of a Gambler: Joe McNay 80th Birthday Edition|date=June 30, 2013|publisher=RRP International Publishing & Digital Media|isbn=978-0989884846}} and Ollie O. McNay (1939–2006).{{cite web|title=Ollie O. McNAY|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cincinnati/obituary.aspx?n=ollie-o-mcnay&pid=150052283&|website=Legacy|publisher=Cincinnati.com|accessdate=26 May 2016}} He had two siblings: Theresa Ann McNay Francis (1969–2006){{cite news|last1=McNay|first1=Don|title=College Graduation: A Very Special Mother's Day Gift|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/don-mcnay/college-graduation-a-very_b_857866.html|accessdate=26 May 2016|work=The Huffington Post|date=5 May 2011}} and half brother Joseph John McNay. McNay graduated from Covington Catholic High School in 1977,{{cite news|title=How to get cash in a credit crunch|first=John|last=Eckberg|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=October 5, 2008|page=G3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27973416/|via=Newspapers.com|quote=McNay, a native of Edgewood and a 1977 Covington Catholic graduate, says another simple solution is obvious: Sell something.}} then graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelors in Journalism and Political Science in 1981.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} He was inducted into their Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1998. He later attended Vanderbilt University for his master's degree, and earned a second from The American College of Financial Services. He went on to obtain four professional designations in the financial services field: Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter, Certified Structured Settlement Consultant, and Master of Science in Financial Services.

McNay founded McNay Settlement Group Inc. in 1982,{{cite web|title=Home|url=http://www.mcnay.com|website=McNay Settlement Group|accessdate=23 May 2016}} specializing in structured settlements, qualified settlement funds, and mass torts, as well as Kentucky Guardianship Administrators.{{cite web|title=Home|url=http://www.kentuckyguardianship.com|website=Kentucky Guardianship Administrators|accessdate=23 May 2016}} He served on the Board of Directors for the [http://www.nssta.com/ National Structured Settlement Trade Association] and the [http://www.societyofsettlementplanners.com/ Society of Settlement Planners]. He has been active in Kentucky politics, including Assistant Kentucky State Coordinator for Al Gore's successful presidential primary campaign in 1988 and Campaign Treasurer for Former Secretary of State and State Auditor Bob Babbage.

Don was married to Dr. Karen Thomas McNay, President of the Ursuline Academy in New Orleans, the oldest Catholic school and oldest all girls school in the United States.{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.uanola.org/Page/About/Ursuline-Heritage|website=Ursuline Academy|accessdate=23 May 2016}} He has two daughters, Angela Luhys{{cite web|title=Angela Luhys|url=http://www.kentuckyguardianship.com/#!angela-luhys/c1i38|website=Kentucky Guardianship Administrators|accessdate=24 May 2016}} and Gena Bigler{{cite news|last1=Bigler|first1=Gena|title=Gena Bigler: Turning your back on a problem is not a solution; questions lead to answers|url=http://www.kyforward.com/gena-bigler-turning-your-back-on-a-problem-is-not-a-solution-questions-lead-to-answers/|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=Ky Forward|date=January 11, 2015}} (married to Clay Bigler{{cite web|title=Clay Bigler|url=http://www.kentuckyguardianship.com/#!clay-bigler/cspy|website=Kentucky Guardianship Administrators|accessdate=26 May 2016}}).

McNay died on May 29, 2016, in New Orleans, Louisiana, aged 57.{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article80703857.html|title=Don McNay, Lexington author and Huffington Post contributor, dies suddenly|publisher=Lexington Herald-Leader|accessdate=May 30, 2016|date=May 29, 2016|author=Greg Kocher}}

McNay was a published author and weekly columnist for The Huffington Post, writing frequently on financial issues and the poverty industry.

McNay has written eight books: Brand New Man: My Weight Loss Journey,{{cite book|last1=McNay|first1=Don|title=Brand New Man: My Weight Loss Journey|date=February 27, 2016|publisher=RRP International Publishing & Digital Media|isbn=978-0997153606}} Death By Lottery,{{cite book|last1=McNay|first1=Don|title=Death By Lottery|date=January 27, 2014|publisher=RRP International Publishing & Digital Media|isbn=978-0989884877}} Don McNay's Greatest Hits,{{cite book|last1=McNay|first1=Don|title=Don McNay's Greatest Hits: Ten Years as an Award-Winning Columnist|date=September 24, 2013|publisher=RRP International Publishing & Digital Media|isbn=978-0989884839}} Life Lessons from the Lottery: Protecting Your Money in a Scary World,{{cite book|last1=McNay|first1=Don|title=Life Lessons from the Lottery:: Protecting Your Money in a Scary World|date=November 29, 2012|publisher=RRP International Publishing & Digital Media|isbn=978-0979364426}} Son of a Son of a Gambler: Joe McNay 80th Birthday Edition,{{cite book|last1=McNay|first1=Don|title=Son of a Son of a Gambler: Joe McNay 80th Birthday Edition|date=June 30, 2013|publisher=RRP International Publishing & Digital Media|isbn=978-0989884846}} Wealth Without Wall Street: A Main Street Guide to Making Money,{{cite book|last1=McNay|first1=Don|title=Wealth Without Wall Street: A Main Street Guide to Making Money|date=August 25, 2011|publisher=RRP International Publishing & Digital Media|isbn=978-0979364488}} Son of a Son of a Gambler: Winners, Losers and What to Do When You Win the Lottery{{cite book|last1=McNay|first1=Don|title=Son of a Son of a Gambler: Winners, Losers and What to Do When You Win the Lottery|date=January 14, 2008|publisher=RRP International Publishing & Digital Media|isbn=978-0979364402}} and The Unbridled World of Ernie Fletcher: Reflections on Kentucky's Governor.{{cite book|last1=McNay|first1=Don|title=The Unbridled World Of Ernie Fletcher: Reflections on Kentucky's Governor|date=September 14, 2006|publisher=Authorhouse|isbn=978-1425962449}} Another book, Life Lessons from the Golf Course,{{cite book|last1=Hamrick|first1=Clay|last2=McNay|first2=Don|title=Life Lessons from the Golf Course|date=March 22, 2013|publisher=RRP International Publishing & Digital Media|isbn=978-0979364464}} was co-written with PGA professional Clay Hamrick.{{cite web|title=Clay Hamrick - PGA Golf Professional|url=http://battlefieldgolfclub.net/index.php/2013-08-14-15-28-52|website=Battlefield Golf Club|access-date=23 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511233316/http://battlefieldgolfclub.net/index.php/2013-08-14-15-28-52|archive-date=11 May 2016|url-status=dead}} He was also the CEO of RRP International, a book publishing and digital media company based in Lexington, Kentucky.{{cite web|title=Home|url=http://www.rrpinternational.org|website=RRP International Publishing & Digital Media|accessdate=23 May 2016}}

McNay won "Best Columnist" from the Kentucky Press Association in 2005.{{cite web|title=2005: The Results|url=http://www.kypress.com/excellence2005results/d1.php|website=Kentucky Press Association|access-date=23 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624080133/http://www.kypress.com/excellence2005results/d1.php|archive-date=24 June 2016|url-status=dead}} He was a syndicated newspaper columnist for CNHI news service from 2006 to 2013 and a community columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader from 1983 to 1986. He has served as treasurer of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.{{cite web|title=McNay announces engagement|url=http://www.columnists.com/2011/07/mcnay-announces-engagement/|website=National Society of Newspaper Columnists|date=17 July 2011 |accessdate=23 May 2016}}

He has also written research articles for various legal and financial publications,{{cite web|title=Trade Publications Specific to Legal or Financial Services Industries|url=http://www.donmcnay.com/#!articles/c20h9|website=DonMcNay.com|access-date=23 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602190610/http://www.donmcnay.com/#!articles/c20h9|archive-date=2 June 2016}} including Trial, National Underwriter, Bench & Bar,{{cite news|last1=McNay|first1=Don|last2=Walker|first2=Karen|title=Financial Wellness for Attorneys|url=http://kentuckybenchandbar.epubxp.com/i/573352-sep-2015/9?|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=Bench & Bar|date=September 2015}} and Best's Review.

McNay was frequently called on to give advice for lottery winners, specializing in helping people who have come into sudden money.{{cite news|last1=Nocera|first1=Joe|title=The Bad Luck of Winning|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/opinion/nocera-the-bad-luck-of-winning.html?_r=0|accessdate=23 May 2016|work=The New York Times|date=November 30, 2012}} He has appeared on various television and radio programs, including CBS Morning News,{{cite news|last1=Jarvis|first1=Rebecca|title=Problems lottery winners face|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/problems-lottery-winners-face/|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=CBS Morning News|date=March 31, 2012}}{{cite news|last1=Schlesinger|first1=Jill|title=Powerball dilemma: Lump sum or annuity?|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/powerball-dilemma-lump-sum-or-annuity/|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=CBS Moneywatch|date=March 27, 2013}} CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,{{cite news|title=Mega Millions Jackpot Fuels Dreams, Ticket Sales|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mega-millions-jackpot-fuels-dreams-ticket-sales/|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=CBS Evening News|date=January 4, 2011}} ABC News Radio, BBC News,{{cite news|title=US lottery: Search on for $640m jackpot winners|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-17572779|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=BBC News|date=March 31, 2012}}{{cite news|title=Numbers drawn for record $640m Mega Millions prize|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-17553329|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=BBC News|date=March 31, 2012}} KPCC- Los Angeles,{{cite news|last1=Morrison|first1=Patt|title=Lottery winning 101: how to not blow $500 million|url=http://www.scpr.org/programs/patt-morrison/2012/03/29/25805/lottery-winning-101-how-to-not-blow-500-million-do/|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=KPCC|date=March 29, 2012}} WLW-AM-Cincinnati, Al Jazeera-English, CBC Television, TBS eFM, RAI, CTV{{cite news|title=$50M jackpot with 55 $1M prizes up for grabs tonight|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/50m-jackpot-with-55-1m-prizes-up-for-grabs-tonight-1.526397|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=CTV News|date=June 25, 2012}} and Radio Live (New Zealand).{{cite news|title="Trevor has done everything wrong" - Lotto expert Don McNay|url=http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Trevor-has-done-everything-wrong---Lotto-expert-Don-McNay/tabid/506/articleID/27089/Default.aspx|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=Radio Live|date=April 3, 2012}}

His insights have been sought by print publications, including The New York Times,{{cite news|last1=Nocera|first1=Joe|title=The Bad Luck of Winning|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/opinion/nocera-the-bad-luck-of-winning.html?_r=0|accessdate=23 May 2016|work=The New York Times|date=November 30, 2012}}{{cite news|last1=Nocera|first1=Joe|title=How to Shoot a Gun|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/12/opinion/nocera-how-to-shoot-a-gun.html|accessdate=23 May 2016|work=The New York Times|date=January 11, 2013}} Los Angeles Times,{{cite news|last1=Stevens|first1=Matt|title=What to do if you win the Mega Millions lottery jackpot|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/03/what-to-do-if-you-win-the-mega-millions-lottery-jackpot-.html|accessdate=23 May 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 29, 2012}}{{cite news|last1=Stevens|first1=Matt|title=Mega Millions: Lessons from a jackpot winner|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/03/mega-millions-lessons-from-the-biggest-winners-in-lotto-history.html|accessdate=23 May 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 30, 2012}} New York Daily News,{{cite news|last1=Durkin|first1=Erin|title=Financial planners offer support to newly minted millionaire Powerball winner Pedro Quezada|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/financial-planners-hunting-powerball-winner-article-1.1304129|accessdate=23 May 2016|work=New York Daily News|date=April 1, 2013}} Time,{{cite magazine|last1=Chan|first1=Melissa|title=Here's How Winning the Lottery Makes You Miserable|url=https://time.com/4176128/powerball-jackpot-lottery-winners/|access-date=23 May 2016|magazine=Time |date=January 12, 2016}} National Enquirer, Daily Mail, Reuters,{{cite news|last1=Murphy|first1=Kevin|title=Missouri Powerball winners live modestly, give back to hometown|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lottery-missouri-idUSBRE91M0CB20130223|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=Reuters|date=February 23, 2013}}{{cite news|last1=Stern|first1=Andrew|title=Illinois Mega Millions winner could face "lottery curse"|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lottery-curse-idUSBRE83G1BG20120417|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=Reuters|date=April 17, 2012}} Associated Press,{{cite news|title=Mega Millions: What to do when you win|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/mega-millions-what-to-do-when-you-win/|access-date=24 May 2016|publisher=Associated Press|date=March 29, 2012}} Reader's Digest,{{cite news|last1=Crouch|first1=Michelle|title=13 Things Lottery Winners Won't Tell You|url=http://www.rd.com/advice/saving-money/13-things-lottery-winners/|accessdate=24 May 2016|publisher=Reader's Digest|date=January 2014}} USA Today,{{cite news |last1=Welch|first1=William|last2=Eversley|first2=Melanie|title=Washington state Mega Million winners claim prize|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/lottery/2011-01-05-mega-millions-winners_n.htm|accessdate=24 May 2016|work=USA Today|date=January 7, 2011}} Chicago Tribune{{cite news|title=Should lottery winners' names be secret? States debate the anonymity issue|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-powerball-lottery-winners-names-20160115-story.html|accessdate=24 May 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=January 15, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Pratt|first1=Gregory|last2=Koeske|first2=Zak|title=Four years ago, a 'Dirty Dozen' fought $118 million lottery battle|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-illinois-lottery-dirty-dozen-st-0508-20160506-story.html|accessdate=24 May 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=May 7, 2016}} and Forbes.{{cite news|last1=Godfrey|first1=Neal|title=How Stupid Can You Be With Money? Ask Lottery Winners|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nealegodfrey/2015/09/06/how-stupid-can-you-be-with-money-ask-lottery-winners/#7784bea92419|accessdate=24 May 2016|work=Forbes|date=September 6, 2015}}

• Brand New Man: My Weight Loss Journey
• Death By Lottery: They Hit the Jackpot. They Lost Their Lives.
• Don McNay's Greatest Hits: Ten Years as an Award-Winning Columnist
• Son of a Son of a Gambler: Joe McNay 80th Birthday Edition
• Life Lessons from the Golf Course (cowritten with Clay Hamrick)
• Life Lessons from the Lottery: Protecting Your Money in a Scary World
• Wealth Without Wall Street: A Main Street Guide to Making Money
• Son of a Son of a Gambler: Winners, Losers and What to Do When You Win the Lottery
• The Unbridled World of Ernie Fletcher: Reflections on Kentucky's Governor

{{Reflist|3}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160602190610/http://www.donmcnay.com/ Don McNay - Personal Site]
• [http://www.mcnay.com McNay Settlement Group]
• [http://www.kentuckyguardianship.com Kentucky Guardianship Administrators]
• [http://www.rrpinternational.org RRP International Publishing & Digital Media]
• [http://www.lotteryguru.org Lottery Guru]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McNay, Don}}

Category:1959 births

Category:2016 deaths

Category:American financial analysts

Category:HuffPost writers and columnists

Category:Eastern Kentucky University alumni

Category:Mass media people from New Orleans

Category:People from Covington, Kentucky

Category:Journalists from Kentucky

Category:American male journalists

Category:Writers from Kentucky

Category:Covington Catholic High School alumni