Bill Poole Chosen For Presidential Leadership Scholars​ Program

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Former west Alabama lawmaker and current Alabama Department of Finance Director Bill Poole was recently announced as one of 57 scholars chosen for the 10th annual class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program.

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Participants will collaborate and as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Poole was selected after an application and review process, with scholars picked based on their leadership growth potential and their personal leadership projects aimed at addressing a problem or need in their community, the country or the world.

As part of the program, which begins on Wednesday, scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from former presidents, key former administration officials, business and civic leaders, and leading academics.

Participants will also study and put into practice varying leadership principles and exchange ideas to help maximize their impact in the communities they serve.

Poole was first appointed as state finance director by Gov. Kay Ivey on Aug. 1, 2021, after representing the citizens of House District 63 in Tuscaloosa County as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives.

During his eight years in the Alabama Statehouse, Poole chaired the House Ways and Means (Education) — the committee that oversees the Education Trust Fund.

Additionally, Poole worked for the Committee on Ways and Means in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.

Poole also advocated for priority initiatives such as high-quality pre-K, literacy, broadband, workforce development and career technical training received increased appropriations to ensure Alabama’s students are college and career ready post-graduation from high school.

The Marengo County native is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law.

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