Hagler appointed as Arkansas Lottery director

With Bishop Woosley having stepped down from the role earlier this week, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has announced that J Eric Hagler has been appointed its new director following his selection by Governor Asa Hutchinson

An Arkansas native, Hagler began his career in law 31 years ago as a deputy prosecuting attorney prior to creating his own law firm. The now lottery director then presided as a magistrate judge in Bentonville and served as special associate justice of the state Supreme Court in 2003.

Commenting on his appointment, Hagler said: “I’m grateful for the confidence placed in me by Governor Hutchinson and [DF&A] Secretary [Larry] Walther. 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.”

In addition to his previous working experience, Hagler is also a graduate of both the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law.

“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.”