Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Monday his nomination for the director of the Montana Department of Commerce. Gianforte pledged on the campaign trail to replace all state agency leaders.
Gianforte has tapped Scott Osterman to lead the agency, though the state senate will have to confirm the appointment. Osterman works as the senior director of business unit operations at Applied Materials in Kalispell.
The Department of Commerce is charged with strengthening the state’s economy, improving infrastructure and housing and promoting tourism in Montana.
According to a news release from Gianforte’s office, Osterman has varied business experience, having worked as a senior executive in Fortune 500 companies and venture start-ups. His nomination comes with endorsements from the leaders of the Montana Chamber of Commerce and Kalispell Chamber of Commerce.
Gianforte said in the release that Osterman will be an "outstanding leader for the department."
