HELENA – The state’s top tourism official is no longer working for the Commerce Department, but no one is saying why.
Commerce Director Dore Schwinden confirmed that Betsy Baumgart ended her work as administrator of the Office of Tourism on Friday. She was hired in 2002.
Schwinden would not comment on the details of Baumgart’s departure.
“She’s entitled to confidentiality and the right of privacy in any kind of personnel matter,” Schwinden said Monday.
A phone message left at Baumgart’s home Tuesday seeking comment was not immediately returned.
Montana Chamber of Commerce President Webb Brown told the Great Falls Tribune he was stunned by Baumgart’s departure.
“I have not heard Betsy talking at all about leaving the job,” said Brown. “I would be very surprised if it was her decision.”
Baumgart is the third high-level Commerce Department official to leave in the past six months.
Former division administrator David Cole resigned in March, a day before he was to retire, saying he was forced out by the Schweitzer administration after he responded to a request from a Republican lawmaker regarding grants to local communities that Schweitzer had frozen. The governor’s office denied a role in Cole’s ouster.
Schwinden’s predecessor, Tony Priete, retired as commerce director Aug. 1 after heading the department for 5½ years.
Schwinden said Anna Marie Moe, program manager for Visitor and Industry Services, was named interim administrator of the Montana Promotion Division. He said the department will begin searching for Baumgart’s replacement immediately.