By TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Gov. Kay Ivey has named Kelly Butler Finance Director, administration officials announced Friday.
The appointment makes the job permanent for Butler, who has been serving as Acting Finance Director since August following the departure of Clinton Carter.
Ivey said his experience managing the state’s budgets made him the best fit to handle the job going into her full term next year.
“Kelly’s experience with our state’s budgets and as a fiscal analyst makes him an unmatched candidate for Finance Director,” she said.
“His dedication and skill will be invaluable as we build Alabama’s budgets over the next four years. ”
Butler began his state career with the Alabama Department of Revenue more than thirty years ago. Later, he worked for the Legislative Fiscal Office before joining the Alabama Department of Finance as Assistant State Budget Officer in 2012. Since then, Butler has served as State Budget Officer and most recently as Assistant Finance Director for Fiscal Operations.
“It is a true honor to serve the people of Alabama and to be asked to lead the Alabama Department of Finance on a permanent basis,” Butler said.
“We have made a lot of progress over the past three months and I look forward to continue working on that progress and improving the services provided by the Department of Finance over the next four years.”
The Finance Director is one of the top positions in state government, responsible for crafting the governor’s annual budget proposals, ensuring the state’s bills and payroll get paid, and overseeing a department with 13 divisions and 350 employees.
Ivey’s appointment is effective December 1.