Governor-elect Gianforte Announces Department of Corrections Transition Advisory Team

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Governor-elect Greg Gianforte today announced his transition advisory team for the Department of Corrections (DOC).

The advisory team will identify and review candidates to serve as the next director of the DOC and will forward its recommendations to Governor-elect Gianforte.

“Montanans count on the Department of Corrections to protect and promote public safety. Unfortunately, well-documented incidents of gross mismanagement and a lack of transparency and accountability have prevented the Department of Corrections from serving the people of Montana well. It’s time to change how the DOC does business, from changing the culture to reducing recidivism to improving reentry. I’m grateful to this transition advisory team, and I look forward to getting their recommendations,” Gianforte said.

This is the second of many transition advisory teams the Governor-elect will establish to assist in identifying exceptional candidates to serve as agency heads and members of related boards. Gianforte announced the DPHHS Transition Advisory Team yesterday.

All members of the DOC Transition Advisory Team serve in a voluntary capacity and are not compensated for their time.

Last week, Gianforte launched ServeMontana.com, a website in which individuals may submit their credentials for consideration to serve Montana, including leading state agencies.

Members of Governor-elect Gianforte’s DOC Transition Advisory Team follow:

Randy Brodehl – Flathead County Commissioner

Tony Harbaugh – sheriff of Custer County

Jackie Jones, JD – attorney and former advocate with the Montana County Attorney Association

Steve Lavin – major in the Montana Highway Patrol

Greg Pinski, JD – former Cascade County district court judge; advocate of treatment courts

Bill Slaughter – Granite County Commissioner; former director of the Department of Corrections; former sheriff of Gallatin County

Cory Swanson, JD – Broadwater County Attorney; lieutenant colonel in the Montana National Guard; former deputy attorney general in the Montana Department of Justice

Scott Twito, JD – Yellowstone County Attorney

Melissa Zeiler – probation administrator at Sidney Probation and Parole Administration; team member with the 7th District Juvenile Drug Treatment Court