The following press release is from the Montana Governor Transition Press Office:
Governor-elect Steve Bullock and Lieutenant Governor-elect John Walsh today announced nominations for more cabinet posts in their administration.
Ron de Yong will be the Director of the Department of Agriculture, Jason Smith will be the Director of Indian Affairs, and Major General Matthew Quinn will be the Director of Military Affairs and Adjutant General.
“This group of Montanans has proven their commitment to delivering results for communities across the state,” said Bullock. “They will fulfill their responsibilities with hard work and integrity, and I'm proud to have them in my administration.”
Department of Agriculture — Ron de Yong owns and operates a family farm in Kalispell and has taught agriculture policy and economics at Cal Poly State University. He has also been an economist for National Farmers Union, served as a Montana State Committee Member for the USDA Farm Service Agency and has been a State Director for Montana Farmers Union. de Yong has a bachelors degree in agricultural science and philosophy from Montana State University and a masters degree in economics from the University of Montana. He is married with three children.
Military Affairs Adjutant General — Major General Matthew T. Quinn has served as the Adjutant General for the State of Montana since April of 2012. Prior to his appointment as the Adjutant General, he served as the Assistant Adjutant General, Army, Commander, 95th Troop Command, Vice Chief of the Joint Staff, J-6 and 495th Transportation Battalion Commander. Major General Quinn is a veteran of both Operation DESERT STORM, 1991, where he served as Commander of A Company, 34th Signal Battalion and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, 2003 – 2004, where he served as Commander of the 495th Transportation Battalion.
Indian Affairs – Jason Smith had been employed at the Montana Department of Commerce as the State Tribal Economic Development Program Manager. He previously worked at the Native American Development Corporation in Billings, and for the Montana Democratic Party, where he helped lead get out the vote efforts on reservations. Smith was also an Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and an aide during the 2009 legislative session. In 2006 he graduated from the Salish Kootenai College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Entrepreneurship
The Director of Indian Affairs is selected from suggestions made by the leadership of Montana's tribal nations.
Source: Montana Governor Transition Press Office
Posted by Haylie Shipp
