The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that Charlanna Skaggs has been appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to serve as Deputy Commissioner for the Department, which oversees the conservation of the state’s natural resources and helps promote outdoor recreation such as hunting, fishing and shooting sports.
Skaggs has served as ADCNR’s General Counsel since 2019. She replaces Edward Poolos who was recently selected as the new director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).
Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship looks forward to working with Skaggs in her new role as ADCNR’s Deputy Commissioner.
“I have worked closely with Charlanna and our legal section since she joined the Department,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “She brings a wealth of experience and valuable skills to her new position as Deputy Commissioner. We have many exciting projects currently in progress at Conservation. Her knowledge and experience will be a huge asset to the Department over the next few years.”
Skaggs earned a Juris Doctorate from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature from Auburn University at Montgomery. In the private sector Skaggs specialized in complex commercial litigation. Prior to joining ADCNR, she practiced law with the Hill Hill Carter law firm from 2008 to 2019 and was a partner at Sasser Littleton from 1999 to 2008. She lives in Montgomery with her husband, Jess, and their four children.
“I am honored to be asked to serve in this new role by Commissioner Blankenship,” Skaggs said. “Commissioner Blankenship and former Deputy Commissioner Poolos have been an incredible team. What the Department has accomplished across the state, thanks to Governor Ivey’s leadership and their vision, dedication and strategic partnerships, is nothing short of amazing. I look forward to keeping up their excellent work, and wish Ed all the best in his new role as Director of ADEM.”
Poolos served as ADCNR Deputy Commissioner for eight years before returning to ADEM where he worked for more than 24 years, including 17 as the manager of ADEM’s field office in Decatur.
“I am extremely grateful for Commissioner Blankenship and Governor Kay Ivey for putting their trust in me to help lead the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources where I learned a lot,” Poolos said. “I look forward to returning to ADEM. I also look forward to seeing the completion of the many projects the Conservation Department is currently working on.”
During their partnership at ADCNR, Commissioner Blankenship and Poolos developed and implemented a multi-million dollar outdoor recreation expansion program focused on upgrades and improvements to the state’s outdoor recreation infrastructure, including boating access areas, Alabama State Parks, State Public Fishing Lakes and more.
“Ed has been crucial to our efforts to improve access to quality outdoor recreation in Alabama,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “We will miss him at Conservation and wish him well at ADEM.”
ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.
Courtesy of Outdoor Alabama.
