Happy Wednesday, Beacon readers! Mariah Thomas here to take you through today’s Daily Roundup. I’m dispatching to you after a stay-cation weekend here in the Flathead to celebrate the Fourth, and ahead of a vacation weekend I’m really looking forward to. Here’s hoping you’re all enjoying your summer travels, both local and afar!
In my inbox yesterday: a press release from Gov. Greg Gianforte, announcing the longtime head of the state’s Department of Administration, Misty Ann Giles, would be stepping away from the role “to pursue an opportunity in the private sector” on Aug. 31.
The Department of Administration is in charge of state government operations, including human resource, information technology, risk management and more. Giles has led the department since 2021.
Under her leadership, Giles has overseen just over a billion dollars in federal funding for broadband access in the state; worked to centralize state agencies’ procurement, human resources and information technology under the Department of Administration; and managed the return from remote work, along with leading a study that aimed to modernize the workplace and support hybrid work for state employees.
Taking over for her is a face familiar to the Flathead in former area legislator Mark Blasdel (pictured on the left in the picture at the top of this newsletter). Blasdel represented Kalispell in the Montana House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015 (including a stint as speaker in 2013), before switching over to the Senate, where he repped Senate District 4 from 2015 to 2023. While Blasdel was in the Senate, he served as the president of that body during the 2021 legislative session.
Since 2022, Blasdel, who graduated from Flathead High School before attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for his bachelor’s degree, has served as director of Gov. Gianforte’s Office of Economic Development. That office works on business retention and recruitment and workforce development efforts in the state.
“I am deeply honored by the governor’s confidence in me to lead the Department of Administration,” Blasdel said in the governor’s Tuesday release. “Misty has set a high bar, and I look forward to building on the progress our administration has made. My focus remains on ensuring the Department and all state agencies operate with the efficiency Montanans deserve. I’m eager to hit the ground running in this new role.”
And… that’s what I’ve got for you all this beautiful Wednesday afternoon. Onto the rest of the Daily Roundup.
Columbia Falls Looking to Fill City Council Vacancy Following Resignation
Residents have until July 20 to submit letters of interest to fill the seat left vacant by Christopher Semok, who resigned late last month following a string of meeting absences and formal letter of censure
Montana Lawmakers Pick Leaders for Legislative Session
Republicans head into the 2021 session with a two-thirds majority in both bodies and Montana will have a Republican governor for the first time in 16 years
Whether you’ve been here for decades, or you’re new to the Flathead Valley, our reporting is here to help you feel smarter and in the loop about the issues most important to Northwest Montana. With your support, we can build a more engaged, informed community.
