Governor Martz Appoints Montana Economic Development Advisory Council

Governor Judy Martz appointed fifteen members of a newly created
advisory council that will provide advice to the Martz Administration
concerning economic development matters in Montana.

The council will also
offer advice regarding microbusiness finance and certified regional
development corporation programs.

"I am excited that the council will work to provide focus for our state
economic development programs to ensure effective and efficient delivery to
our customers," Governor Judy Martz stated. "The Economic Development
Advisory Council will search for ways to best utilize available financial
resources to help Montana communities and businesses move closer to
accomplishing their economic development goals."

The new Economic Development Advisory Council will hold its first meeting on
Friday, August 8, 2003 at the Department of Commerce office in Helena.

The creation of the council was provided for in House Bill 76 that was
passed by the 2003 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Martz. House
Bill 76, sponsored by Representative Joe McKenney, was one of four major
pieces of legislation brought forward by the Martz Administration in the
2003 legislative session related to economic development.

"The 19 members are a diverse group of Montanans from all corners of the
state, who bring a wealth of knowledge and personal experience with economic
development, and a strong desire to move Montana forward," Martz said about
the appointees.

Four legislative members of the council were previously appointed by
legislative leadership and include Senator Don Ryan – Great Falls, Senator
Mike Sprague – Billings, Representative Brennan Ryan – Stockett, and
Representative John Sinrud – Bozeman.

Governor Martz’s appointments to the Economic Development Advisory Council
include:

Jim Atchison – Executive Director
Southeastern Montana Development Corporation – Colstrip

Kathie A. Bailey – Executive Director
Snowy Mountain Development Corporation – Lewistown

Evan Barrett – Executive Director
Butte Local Development Corporation – Butte

Dave Gibson – Chief Business Development Officer
Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity – Helena

Steve Holland – Director
Montana Manufacturing Extension Center – Bozeman

Jane Karas – President
Flathead Valley Community College – Kalispell

James Klessens – Coordinator
Beartooth Resource Conservation & Development – Joliet

Erin M. Lutts – Rural Economic Development Representative
Mid-Rivers Communications – Glendive

Tony Rudbach – Assistant V.P. Research and Development
University of Montana – Missoula

Mark Sansaver – Executive Director
Assiniboine and Sioux Tribal Enterprise Community – Wolf Point

Mark Simonich – Director
Montana Department of Commerce – Helena

Linda Twitchell- Executive Director
Great Northern Development Corporation – Wolf Point

Paul Tuss – Executive Director
Bear Paw Development Corporation – Havre

Anita Varone – Commissioner
Lewis & Clark County – Helena

Elaina Zempel- Executive Director
Pondera Coalition for Progress – Conrad

Kris Goss
Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3862
[email protected]