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Bullock Names Budget Director, Top Aides

By Beacon Staff

HELENA — Steve Bullock plans to keep Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s budget director in place when Bullock takes office in January.

The Democratic governor-elect announced Dan Villa and three other key administration appointments Thursday.

Villa has been Schweitzer’s budget director for about a year, replacing David Ewer when Ewer left to lead the Montana Board of Investments.

Villa previously was the governor’s education policy adviser and represented Anaconda in the Legislature.

Bullock also will bring three close aides from the attorney general’s office with him when he is sworn in in January.

Tim Burton will remain Bullock’s chief of staff while Ali Bovingdon and Kevin O’Brien will become Bullock’s deputy chiefs of staff.

Bovingdon is chief deputy attorney general and O’Brien was Bullock’s campaign manager and former communications director.