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J. Eric Hagler appointed Director of Arkansas Scholarship Lottery

  • Posted Date: 08/06/2020
  • Office: All DFA
  • News:

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
    August 6, 2020

    PHOTO:
    J. Eric Hagler headshot attached

    FOR MORE INFORMATION:
    Scott Hardin, Spokesperson
    Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
    501-682-5339, scott.hardin@dfa.arkansas.gov

                                                                                                  J. Eric Hagler appointed Director of Arkansas Scholarship Lottery
    LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (August 6, 2020) – Arkansas Secretary of Finance and Administration (DFA) Larry Walther today announced J. Eric Hagler has been appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to serve as Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is a division of DFA.

    “The lottery director position requires a wide skill set, including the ability to remain focused on the program’s key goal of providing scholarships to Arkansans,” said Governor Hutchinson. “Eric brings this to the Scholarship Lottery. We are proud to bring Eric home to Arkansas and look forward to him leading a great team of employees.”  

    A native Arkansan, Hagler began his career in law thirty-one years ago as an Arkansas deputy prosecuting attorney, followed by creating his own law firm, presiding as a magistrate judge in Bentonville, Arkansas and serving as Special Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court in 2003. He is moving home to Arkansas from California to lead the lottery. 

    “Eric has the skills and leadership qualities we need to lead the lottery’s complex organization,” said Secretary 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.” 

    “I’m grateful for the confidence placed in me by Governor Hutchinson and Secretary Walther,” said Hagler. “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.”

    Director Hagler graduated from the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law. Married to his high school sweetheart, Sandra Woodward Hagler, the couple have three grown children. 
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