MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- The director of the Alabama Department
of Children's Affairs, Marquita Davis, has been named the state's
chief financial officer.

Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday appointed Davis to be director of
the Alabama Finance Department.

The finance director advises the governor and the Legislature on
financial matters. Davis replaces former finance director David
Perry, who is now the governor's chief of staff.

Davis has more than 20 years of experience in higher education
and before becoming children's affairs commissioner she was
director of the Office of School Readiness.

She takes over the finance department at a time when the state
faces tight budgets and layoffs in some departments. She said she
looks forward to facing the state's financial challenges.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)