Gov. Kay Ivey announced today that state Finance Director Kelly Butler is retiring Aug. 1 because of symptoms that indicate a possible diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Butler has worked for the state for 36 years and has served as finance director under Ivey since 2018.
“Without exception, Kelly Butler has been the finest Finance Director to have ever served the State of Alabama,” Ivey said in a news release. “He is the epitome of a dedicated public servant; he is as honest and hard working as he is good and decent. The people of Alabama owe Kelly a profound debt of gratitude for his extraordinary example of what a true servant leader is and should be.”
Ivey said Butler told her earlier this week that he would be retiring because of the health concerns.
“Director Butler will undergo additional testing in the coming days,” Ivey said. “His local physician said early symptoms pointed to a possible diagnosis of ALS.”
Butler started his career as an examiner with the Alabama Department of Revenue. He worked for the Legislative Fiscal Office for 19 years. He has also worked as assistant finance director for fiscal operations and state budget officer.
“Throughout my career, I have been so incredibly fortunate to work with many great people on behalf of our wonderful state,” Butler said in a statement. “Serving as Governor Ivey’s Finance Director has been the honor of a lifetime. While this was not the news anyone would hope for, I take comfort in my faith and am grateful for the support I know Beverly, my family and I will receive going forward from so many friends, colleagues, and relatives. Looking ahead, I’m going to do everything humanly possible to help the doctors and researchers find a cure for ALS so that one day, this becomes a disease that people talk about in the past.”
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, according to the ALS Association. It was first identified in 1869. It is sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease for the New York Yankees star who died from the illness in 1941.