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Gov Bullock Announces Cabinet Changes

Gov. Steve Bullock.
Corin Cates-Carney
/
MTPR
Governor Steve Bullock announced the exit of six cabinet members during a press conference in the state Capitol Dec. 9, 2016. So far, he’s made picks to fill half the vacancies.";

A month after his reelection, Governor Steve Bullock today announced new people will be running nearly half of his appointed cabinet director positions in his second term.

Bullock announced the exit of six cabinet members during a press conference in the state Capitol today. So far, he’s made picks to fill half the vacancies.

For his next four years in office, Bullock will appoint new directors for the Departments of Corrections; Health and Human Services; Commerce; Agriculture; Fish, Wildlife and Parks; and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

"I’m grateful that each of them choose to join me in this journey, on behalf of the citizens of Montana. And I thank each and every one of you for your dedicated, dedicated selfless service."

After thanking his former cabinet directors who are retiring or seeking jobs in the private sector, Bullock announced his three new appointments.

Sheila Hogan, current director of administration, will take over as director of Public Health and Human Services, replacing Richard Opper. She has a background in public policy and business. Hogan previously worked as executive director of the Career Training Institute in Helena, for 20 years.

"Director Hogan has been a champion of customer service, streamlining processes online, cutting red tape, and making it more accessible for Montana businesses to do business with the state."

Bullock selected John Lewis, a former top advisor and Montana chief of staff to U.S. Senator Max Baucus, to replace Sheila Hogan as Director of Administration. Lewis ran unsuccessfully for Montana’s U.S. House seat in 2014.

The governor also appointed an interim director of the Department of Corrections to replace Mike Batista. Loraine Wodnik, current deputy director of corrections, will lead the department while a nationwide search is done for a permanent director.

Governor Bullock will announce the rest of his cabinet appointments in the coming weeks.

Corin Cates-Carney manages MTPR’s daily and long-term news projects. After spending more than five years living and reporting across Western and Central Montana, he became news director in early 2020.
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