A new director has been appointed to lead the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has appointed J. Eric Hagler to serve as the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery director. He will be succeeding Bishop Woosley, who resigned from the position, effective Aug. 3.
Hagler previously served as an Arkansas deputy prosecuting attorney, as a magistrate judge in Bentonville and as a Special Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court in 2003.
“Eric has the skills and leadership qualities we need to lead the lottery’s complex organization,” Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Secretary Larry Walther. “Under Eric the lottery will effectively fulfill the mission of serving Arkansas students and families with college scholarships, our retailer customers and the wonderful staff, who continue to excel and set records.”
Hel graduated from the University of Arkansas and obtained a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law.
According to a DFA news release, Hagler will be moving from California to Arkansas to head the agency. Hagler is listed as the managing attorney and principal business consultant for Eric Halger Law.
“I’m grateful for the confidence placed in me by Governor Hutchinson and Secretary Walther,” Hagler said. “Sandi and I are thrilled to be coming home to Arkansas, and I’m excited to meet the staff and get to know the executive and legislative branches of government quickly.”
Former lottery director Bishop Woosley announced his intention to resign on Tuesday, July 14. He served as the director for eight years and previously served as the chief legal counsel.
READ MORE: Arkansas Lottery Director Resigns After Eight Year Tenure
