MONTGOMERY, Ala. – State Finance Director Bill Poole is stepping down after five years in the role and 16 years in state government, Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Monday.
The leadership change comes as Ivey, the longest continually serving governor in Alabama history, enters her final 111 days in office. The finance director is a cabinet-level position tied to the governor.
Ivey appointed Poole to serve as the state’s chief financial officer and the CEO of the Alabama Department of Finance in 2021. Before that, he represented Tuscaloosa-area District 63 in the State House from 2010 to 2021, serving as the House Education Trust Fund Budget chair for eight years.
“Whether it was in the Alabama House of Representatives shepherding the Education Trust Fund or in my Administration leading the Department of Finance, Bill has been an outstanding public servant,” Ivey said in a statement. “He has helped our state make headway in many arenas, including transportation infrastructure, economic development, education and innovation. Alabama has improved in virtually every financial and economic metric, and I am beyond grateful to Bill for his service over these last five years.”
Ivey highlighted Poole’s role in securing funding for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway renovation, the largest infrastructure project in Alabama history. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced earlier this month that the state will receive up to $2.52 billion in a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan through the Build America Bureau for the I-10 bridge and Bayway.
Poole said that though his position will change, his interest in positively impacting Alabama’s future will not.
“Serving the state of Alabama has been among the greatest privileges of my professional life, and I believe the work and accomplishments of Governor Ivey and her Administration to better the state of Alabama for its citizens are unparalleled…” Poole said. “I am grateful for the trust placed in me and for the opportunity to work alongside Governor Ivey, legislative leadership, talented public servants, policymakers, educators, business leaders and community leaders on issues that I believe will benefit Alabama for years to come.”
Doryan Carlton, who currently serves as state budget officer in the Executive Budget Office, will take over the position after Poole’s last day on Oct. 2. Carlton was part of the leadership team that helped Alabama stay out of proration, Ivey said.
Carlton called the opportunity to give back to the state as its finance director an honor.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to Governor Ivey for placing her trust in me and giving me the opportunity to serve as Finance Director. Having spent the vast majority of my career with the Finance Department, this appointment is especially meaningful to me,” Carlton said. “I look forward to building on the Department’s strong foundation, working collaboratively with our talented staff and dedicated professionals across state government, and continuing our commitment to responsible stewardship of the state’s financial resources.”