HELENA — Gov.-elect Steve Bullock says he will keep the current military and agriculture department cabinet heads in administration.
Maj. Gen. Matthew Quinn will stay on as the adjutant general of the Montana National Guard. He was appointed in April by Gov. Brian Schweitzer after former Guard leader John Walsh stepped down to run for lieutenant governor with Bullock.
Bullock says he will also retain Ron de Yong as director of the Department of Agriculture. De Yong owns and operates a family farm in Kalispell and has taught agriculture policy and economics at Cal Poly State University. He has also been an economist for National Farmers Union, served as a Montana State Committee Member for the USDA Farm Service Agency and has been a state director for Montana Farmers Union. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science and philosophy from Montana State University and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Montana.
Bullock on Wednesday also named Jason Smith as his administration’s director of Indian affairs. Smith is currently the state tribal economic development program manager at the Department of Commerce. Smith previously worked at the Native American Development Corporation in Billings. Smith was also an executive assistant to the chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and an aide during the 2009 legislative session. In 2006 he graduated from the Salish Kootenai College with a degree in business and entrepreneurship.
“This group of Montanans has proven their commitment to delivering results for communities across the state,” Bullock said. “They will fulfill their responsibilities with hard work and integrity, and I’m proud to have them in my administration.”
Bullock is preparing to take office Monday after spending one term as attorney general. He succeeds Schweitzer, who leaves office after two terms.