Covington County Schools Superintendent Terry Holley is among the nine in the running to become the 2013 state Superintendent of the Year.

The list was revealed Tuesday by the School Superintendents of Alabama and Classworks, an SSA premium business member.

Holley, who is serving his fourth year as CCS superintendent, has 36 years of experience in education – 33 of which was spent with the CCS.

“I’m just surprised,” he said of the honor. “I do feel very humble to have been nominated by my peers, and I’m honored to represent our district.”

Holley said there are 134 superintendents in the state, and, “I feel very fortunate to be a part of this organization.”

Other finalists are Alan Lee, Baldwin County; Daniel Boyd, Lowndes County; Craig Witherspoon, Birmingham City; Jeff Langham, Elmore County; Suzanne Lacey, Talladega County; Jason Adkins, Walker County; Charles W. (Billy) Coleman, Cullman County and Dale Edwards, Guntersville City.

All the finalists will be recognized at the SSA Fall Conference in Florence during a luncheon on Oct. 8, and the announcement of the Alabama/Classworks 2013 Superintendent of the Year recipient will occur during the SSA Fall Conference on Oct. 9.

Holley said finalist interviews are next week.

“There are some very good people in the running, all very deserving superintendents,” he said.

Nominations for the award were submitted from each region of the state. The state winner will be determined based on career achievements and success in progressing public education. The School Superintendents of Alabama represents superintendents and school system leaders around the state, and is an affiliate of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools and the state affiliate for the American Association of School Administrators.