News Release
Governor-Elect Brian Schweitzer & Lt. Governor-Elect John Bohlinger Announce Staff
12/29/2004
Sarah Elliott
406-444-9725
saelliott@state.mt.us
“I am honored these diverse and talented people are dedicating their time to serve both myself and the people of Montana,” said Governor-Elect Brian Schweitzer.“These folks are truly some of Montana’s best and brightest. The staff comes from all corners of Montana – from our smallest towns, Indian Nations, and farms and ranches. They have been farmers, small business owners and union staff. These are folks who understand Montana will work hard for the people of this state.”
Bruce Nelson, 53, will serve as the Chief of Staff. Nelson formerly headed the federal Farm Service Agency in Montana, was Chief of Staff to Congressman Pat Williams, and chaired the Montana Democratic Party. He most recently worked as Development Project Manager for Zoot Enterprises in Bozeman. He is a graduate of Fort Benton High School in Fort Benton, MT. Nelson received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Montana. He is married to Nancy Kaiser-Nelson. They have three children – Erik, Haley and Drew. Salary - $93,000
Hal Harper, 56, will serve as the Chief Policy Advisor. Harper served nearly 30 years in the Montana House of Representatives and served as both Speaker of the House and the House Majority Leader during that time. Harper has most recently been working as a building contractor in Helena. Harper graduated from Helena High in Helena, MT. He attended Rocky Mountain College and the University of Montana and received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Hal is married to Janet Harper. Salary - $60,000
Eric Stern, 36, will be Senior Counselor to the Governor. Stern was Schweitzer's campaign manager and is an attorney and business consultant. He is a native of Teaneck, NJ, and attended Connecticut College and Columbia Law School. He worked after college at CNN in Atlanta, and then went on to serve in the Clinton Administration as a political aide to the Vice President of the United States, directing the Vice President's international and political trips; and also as a policy aide to the U.S. Secretary of Education, overseeing the political elements of important education reforms of the 1990s. He also worked on the national staff of three presidential campaigns. Stern moved to Bozeman, Montana in 2001 to do non-profit legal work, and business consulting. Prior to taking over Schweitzer's campaign, Stern directed the bid by Mexico to lure a Major League Baseball franchise, the Montreal Expos, to the city of Monterrey. Salary - $55,000
Sheena Wilson, 57 will serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff. Wilson has worked as a Field Representative for the Family Education Program in Boise, Idaho, as an Executive Assistant and Field Representative for former Congressman Pat Williams and recently sold her restaurant, Ryan and Maclean Tea Room. She has most recently been the Executive Assistant to State Auditor John Morrison. Wilson is the Vice Chair of the Lewis and Clark County Board of Health, was elected to 3 terms on the Board of the Montana Farmers Union, and is the Treasurer of the Lewis and Clark County Democratic Central Committee. She is a graduate of Dutton High School, and received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Montana. She and her husband John have two children - Will and Mary Jane. Salary - $44,000
Mike Volesky, 35, will serve as Natural Resource Policy Advisor. Volesky has most recently been employed as Operations Manager for Conservation Beef, LLC, a Helena-based venture that works with Montana ranchers to raise and market specialty natural beef to upscale markets. He also served as the field organizer for the Montana Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. His experience also includes two years as the executive director of the Montana Agricultural Heritage Commission and seven years as the executive director of the Montana Association of Conservation Districts. He received his bachelor’s degree from Montana State University, and is completing a master’s degree at the University of Montana. Volesky and his wife Sarah live in Helena with their three children: Colin, 8; Alex, 6; and Thomas, 5. Salary - $53,000
Anna Whiting Sorrell, 47, will serve as the Policy Advisor on Families in the Governor’s Office. She has spent her professional career working for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, where she is an enrolled member, most recently working in Tribal Administration overseeing a number of programs and the Tribes’ effort in self-governance and other legislative efforts. Whiting-Sorrell developed and implemented a nationally recognized substance abuse prevention and treatment program for the Tribes for nearly a decade. She is a graduate of the University of Montana with a BA in Political Science and Education, and a Masters of Public Administration. Whiting-Sorrell and her husband Gene live on the Flathead Reservation in Ronan with their daughter Katy. Gene’s older daughter Gena lives in Missoula, and son Eugene lives in Rapid City, SD with his wife and three sons, where he is serving in U.S. Air Force. Salary - $55,000
Patricia (Patti) Keebler, 50, will serve as the Appointments Coordinator. Keebler has worked as a Disabilities Specialist for the Human Resources Development Institute, the Benefits Coordinator for Montana Family Union and the Communication Director of the Montana AFL-CIO. Most recently she was the Media Director for the Montana Democratic Party. Patti has served as an Ad-Hoc member of Big Sky Connection, an independent news service, and served on the Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council. She is active in Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church and serves on the Montana Association of Churches Board. Keebler graduated from Roberts High School in 1972 and has attended the Rocky Mountain Labor School and Democratic GAIN. She is married and has 2 grown children – Justin and John, a daughter in-law Annie and 2 grandchildren – Madison and Jake. Salary - $42,000
Sarah Elliott, 27, will serve as the Communications Director. Elliott was raised on a Black Angus ranch outside of Grass Range. Elliott worked as both Assignment Editor and Reporter for KULR-TV, the NBC affiliate in Billings, as the Scheduler on the Hickenlooper for Mayor campaign in Denver, Colorado, did scheduling and press for the Mayor-Elect Transition and served as the Press Assistant to the Mayor in the Hickenlooper administration. Most recently she has been working as the Communications Director for State Auditor John Morrison. Elliott graduated from Grass Range High School in 1996; she attended Colorado State University and Montana State University-Billings where she received her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications. Salary - $50,000
Adam Pimley, 24, will serve as Deputy Communications Director. Pimley was raised on a wheat and barley farm outside of Joplin, Montana, where his family has been involved in agriculture for 4 generations. He served as Finance Director for Schweitzer’s gubernatorial campaign after spending 4 years in Bozeman as Operations Manager for Old Navy Clothing Co. He spent the year prior working for Mountain Broadcasting Inc. in Big Sky, Montana, a radio broadcasting company. Pimley graduated from J-I High School in 1998 and attended Montana State University. Salary - $36,000
Bob Schleicher, 44 will serve as the Citizens’ Advocate. He served as Assistant Citizens Advocate for Governor Schwinden from 1987-89. Since 1989, Bob has worked for the MT Department of Labor and Industry Research and Analysis Bureau. He has received the US Secretary of Labor's Exceptional Achievement Award as well as the MT Department of Labor and Industry's Incentive Award. Schleicher has served on many community boards including the Kay McKenna Youth Foundation, Helena Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, the Helena Citizens Council, the Downtown Helena Tax Increment Financing Committee and the Gateway Economic Development Board. He has been a long time member of the Hometown Helena civic group. He graduated from Park High School in Livingston and received bachelor and masters degrees from Montana State University. Salary - $41,000
Gail Gallik, 50, will serve as the Executive Assistant. Gallik has most recently been the Executive Secretary for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Linda McCulloch. She also worked as Executive Assistant to former State Auditor Mark O’Keefe and to the Director of the Joint Center for Higher Education, as the Executive Secretary to the President of Pentzer Corporation, and served as the Office Manager, Minority Leader’s Office in the Montana House of Representatives. Gallik is a graduate of Touchet High School in Touchet, Washington. She received her associate’s degree from Walla Walla Community College and her bachelor’s degree from University of Idaho. She is married to Dave Gallik. Salary - $42,000
Cory Johns, 29, will serve as a Receptionist. Johns most recently worked as a Field
Organizer for the Montana Democratic Party. He has worked as a Clerk for Montana Rail Link, a Major Account Customer Care Representative for Touch America, as a Field Organizer for Nancy Keenan for Congress and an Office Coordinator for the Secretary of State. Johns graduated from Butte High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana. Salary - $24,000
Will Hammerquist, 24, will serve as the Policy Advisor in the office of Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger. Hammerquist most recently worked as the lead field organizer for the Montana Democratic Party. Prior to that he worked as the Director of Member Services for the Montana Contractors’ Association, was a Lobbyist for Associated Students of Montana State University, and worked as a Carpenter for Hammerquist & Casalegno Construction. He graduated from Flathead High School and attended Concordia College and Montana State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in political science. Salary - $36,000
David Ewer was already appointed as Budget Director. The Governor is still in the hiring process for another Receptionist, a Constituent Relations Director, the Indian Affairs Coordinator and Education Policy Advisor.
