Montana Governor-elect Greg Gianforte Tuesday announced more transition advisory teams to review candidates to serve in his cabinet.
The latest teams will review candidates to serve as the next directors for the state Department of Revenue and the Department of Agriculture.
In a press release announcing the 10 person team looking into the next head of the revenue department, Gianforte said he’ll work to “cut taxes for all Montana taxpayers.” Tax cuts were included in Gianforte’s goals stated during his campaign for the Governor's office.
The advisory group includes business owners, current and former Republican lawmakers, and people with experience in county government.
Gianforte’s agriculture transition team is also looking for members of the Board of Livestock and Livestock Loss Board.
That nine person team includes leaders of associations of wool, grain and stock growers, farmers, ranchers and the president of Northwest Farm Credit Services.
Members of Gianforte’s Department of Revenue Advisory Team are:
Nancy Ballance – Montana state representative (HD-87) and former three-term Chair of House Appropriations
Brenda Byrnes, CPA – shareholder, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. PC in Great Falls; former president of the Montana Society of CPAs
Joan Duffield – clerk and recorder for Rosebud County; former commissioner of Rosebud County
Don Jones – owner of Dickey’s BBQ and commissioner of Yellowstone County
Adele Krantz – treasurer of Flathead County and longest-serving county treasurer in Montana
Michael Lawlor, J.D. – attorney at Lawlor and Co., PLLC; former primary attorney for the Montana Department of Revenue’s Liquor Control Division
Mike McGinley – commissioner of Beaverhead County; owner of Beaverhead Meats
Rick Ripley – former Montana state senator (SD-9) and chair of the Finance Committee; former superintendent for Augusta and Choteau schools
Julie Sirrs, J.D. – attorney, Boone Karlberg P.C.; advisory board member of the Montana Tax Institute
Bob Story – executive director of the Montana Taxpayers Association
Members of Gianforte’s Agriculture/Livestock Transition Advisory Team are:
Dean Folkvord – founder of Wheat Montana Farms and Bakery; farmer
John Helle – rancher and co-founder of Duckworth Wool; board member for Northwest Farm Credit; past president of the Montana Wool Growers Association
Bob Quinn – founder of Montana Flour & Grains, The Oil Barn, and Big Sandy organics; organic farmer
Lola Raska – executive vice president of Montana Grain Growers Association; farmer
Lesley Robinson – rancher and former Phillips County commissioner
Nicole Rolf – director of national affairs and eastern Montana regional manager for the Montana Farm Bureau Federation; cattle rancher
Megan Shroyer – Montana president of Northwest Farm Credit Services
Jim Steinbeisser – first vice president and president-elect of the Montana Stockgrowers Association; farmer and rancher
Fred Wacker – president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association; cattle rancher
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