OFFICE OF GOVERNOR STEVE BULLOCK
HELENA – On Dec. 13, Governor-elect Steve Bullock and Lieutenant Governor-elect John Walsh announced their appointments to run the Transportation Department, as well as the department of Natural Resources and Conservation. A day later, Bullock chose the new head the Department of Environmental Quality.
Mike Tooley, former colonel and chief of the Montana Highway Patrol, was appointed director of the state’s Department of Transportation. A native of Havre, Mont., Tooley served in the highway patrol for 28 years, has undergone training for senior executives in state and local government at Harvard University and graduated from the FBI National Academy.
John Tubbs was picked to lead Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, where he worked from 1985 to 2009. Tubbs was most recently the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science for the U.S. Department of the Interior. He received both his Masters of Art and Bachelors of Science from the University of Montana in Missoula.
“Looking after our land, water, and critical infrastructure is an important responsibility, and I know John and Mike are up to the job,” said Bullock.
The governor-elect chose on Dec. 14 Tracy Stone-Manning, of Missoula, to head the Department of Environmental Quality in his administration.
Stone-Manning has served as a senior advisor and acting state staff director to U.S. Senator Jon Tester on conservation, natural resources, and alternative energy issues. She has a master’s degree from the University of Montana and bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.
“Tracy has a proven record of bringing people together to responsibly manage our natural resources,” said Bullock. “She will work together with whoever it takes to make sure DEQ is doing right by everyone who values and prospers from Montana’s land and water.”
