Former Alabama legislator, finance director Bill Poole announces new roles

NewsRep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa, chairman of the Alabama House education budget committee, speaks to reporters about the 2020 education budget, which passed the Legislature today. (Mike Cason/mcason@al.com)By William Thornton | wthornton@al.comFormer Alabama Department of Finance Director Bill Poole is making several moves a week after he stepped down from state government. Poole announced he is joining Tuscaloosa-based Harrison Construction as its vice president of finance, legal and external affairs.At the same time, he will become an operating partner with Accelerated Partners (AP), a Birmingham-based private equity firm, and form his own consulting firm. Last week Poole resigned from his post after five years as Doryan Carlton, state budget officer in the Executive Budget Office, took over. An attorney from Tuscaloosa who was the longtime chair of the education budget committee in the Alabama House of Representatives, Poole resigned from the Legislature to become Ivey’s finance director back in 2021.Poole’s law office previously represented Harrison Construction before his entry into state government. His responsibilities with the company will include legal matters, finance and capital strategy, government and external relations, and growth opportunities and investments.“My new endeavors aren’t a departure from public service — they’re a transition from serving the state directly to helping grow the private economies and policies that support our communities,” he said. At the same time, Poole is creating a consulting firm, Poole Growth Strategies, focusing on public policy, economic development, education policy and reform, among other issues. He said he plans to remain serving as chairman of the Innovate Alabama board of directors. The public-private economic development organization dealing with small businesses, technology and innovation.“I don’t view my next chapter as leaving public service so much as changing the way I contribute,” Poole said.William Thornton is a business reporter for AL.com. He has been full-time in media since 1993, with experience reporting on local government, education, courts, crime and sports. His printed and online work has...