By CAROLINE BECK, Alabama Daily News
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced more updates to her executive staff, including two new deputy chiefs of staff and a dual role for state Finance Director Bill Poole.
Nathan Lindsay and Brooks McClendon will take on the roles of deputy chiefs of staff.
Lindsay currently serves as director of appointments for the governor and McClendon is the Senate liaison in the Legislative Affairs Office, a duty he will continue to hold for the legislative session that begins on Jan. 11, 2022.
“Nathan has demonstrated an impressive level of intellect and work ethic as he has handled the responsibilities of the Appointments Office,” Ivey said in a press release. “Most people don’t realize the governor is responsible for making thousands of appointments to more than 500 boards and commissions throughout the state in addition to filling vacancies for many public officials. Nathan has established a great network of local leaders throughout Alabama that will be critical as he serves as deputy chief of staff.”
Lindsay came to the Governor’s Office in 2019 after working for eight years at the Business Council of Alabama. Previously, he worked for former Governor Bob Riley. He is a Madison native.
Prior to joining the Governor’s Office in 2019, McClendon worked for Manufacture Alabama for five years. He also served a stint working with former U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Birmingham. McClendon is a native of Shelby County.
“Brooks has been a great addition to our legislative team and he, too, is a natural for this position,” Ivey said. “Having served as president of the Senate, I know better than most how important it is to have someone in his role who is respected and trusted by both parties; Brooks is that person. I am grateful he will continue to work with the Senate while taking on the additional responsibilities as deputy chief of staff.”
Ivey named Poole as a senior advisor. He will remain as finance director but will also assume the key leadership role in Ivey’s executive office.
“Bill Poole brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his three terms in the Alabama Legislature where he chaired the House Ways and Means Education Committee,” Ivey said. “Bill’s first priority will continue to be to serve in the role of finance director, which carries a tremendous responsibility on its own. But as we are working to develop our long-range strategic blueprint for Alabama for the next few years, both Liz and I recognize we couldn’t find a better person to lean on for advice and input than Bill Poole.”
This week, Ivey’s office also announced that Liz Dowe Filmore would take on the position of Ivey’s chief of staff after Jo Bonner was selected to be the next president of the University of South Alabama in Mobile.