MONTGOMERY — Alabama Department of Finance Director Bill Poole is stepping down from his position after five years, with his departure effective at the end of the week. Governor Kay Ivey has announced that Doryan Carlton will lead the department as his successor.
Poole, a former state representative, did not provide a specific reason for his departure in a statement Monday morning. However, the Department of Finance stated Monday afternoon that Poole "did not intend for the position to be a career-long role" and that his "decision was not influenced by future budget considerations."
In his statement, Poole expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and for the opportunity to work alongside Governor Ivey, legislative leaders, and various public and community figures. He affirmed that his interest in "helping to continue to improve Alabama’s future will remain consistent," despite his changing titles.
Poole's exit comes at a time when Governor Ivey's term in office is nearing its conclusion and ahead of what several officials, including Poole himself, have described as a potentially tight fiscal year for Alabama. Earlier this month, Poole cautioned members of the Public Education Employee Health Insurance Plan board about the state's financial outlook.
"I just want to point out to the board . . . to I think anticipate and prepare and think ahead for the reality that I think exists, which is tightening budgets on the ETF side and a very, very challenging budget next year on the General Fund side that I think could quite frankly lead to potential agency reductions in costs," Poole told the board.
An attorney by trade, Poole served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2010 to 2021, representing a Tuscaloosa-area House seat. During his time in the House, he chaired the House Ways and Means Education Committee, which oversees the Education Trust Fund budget.
Governor Ivey praised Carlton in her statement, highlighting Carlton's extensive experience. "For years, Doryan has done good work on our state’s budgets within the executive budget office. Thanks in part to her leadership, Alabama has not once declared proration during my administration," Ivey said. The governor described Carlton as someone who works diligently behind the scenes with a keen attention to detail, stating, "Many giants have come before us at the Department of Finance, and I know Doryan will be a giant in her own right. She is someone who works diligently behind the scenes with an acute attention to detail that will serve our state well."
The change in leadership occurs as Dothan and Wiregrass residents, businesses, and public agencies prepare for the state's upcoming financial year, with the warnings of potential budget tightening from officials like Poole underscoring the importance of fiscal planning.