By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
TUSCALOOSA — Former Alabama Finance Director Bill Poole is moving into construction, private investment and consulting after concluding a 16-year career in state government.
Poole announced Oct. 5 that he will join Tuscaloosa-based Harrison Construction as vice president of finance, legal and external affairs. He will also become an operating partner with Birmingham-based Accelerated Partners and establish an independent consulting firm, Poole Growth Strategies.
The appointments place the former state financial leader in businesses focused on capital, company growth, and economic development across Alabama and the Southeast.
According to Yellowhammer News, Poole’s responsibilities at Harrison will include executive strategy, legal matters, finance, government relations and investment opportunities. The move renews a relationship that began when he represented the company through his law practice before entering public office in 2010.
Harrison Construction President Tim Harrison described Poole as a longtime attorney and adviser whose experience would strengthen the company’s executive team.
At Accelerated Partners, Poole will help identify and grow private companies across the Southeast. The firm’s work places his next role in the private-equity sector, where investors acquire interests in businesses and seek to expand their value.
Poole Growth Strategies will focus on matters including fiscal management, economic development, education policy, capital formation and public-private partnerships, Patch reported.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced his departure from state government the previous week. Poole had served as finance director since 2021 after more than a decade representing the Tuscaloosa area in the Alabama House.
He also said he hopes to continue chairing Innovate Alabama’s board, subject to future governmental approvals and appointments. His announcement left that future service dependent on the required approvals.