Republican Secretary of State-Elect Corey Stapleton announced several top staff appointments Tuesday.
Stapleton, takes office Jan. 2, he was elected in November, handily defeating Democrat Monica Lindeen, who was the state auditor, with 56 percent of the vote.
“There’s no more important function than picking good people,” he told a group in the Capitol.
Stapleton said he would create consistency in Montana’s elections and streamline business services offered by the Secretary of State.
Stapleton said he’s excited to work with the Legislature, which is controlled by Republican majorities in the House and Senate. The Legislature convenes Jan. 2.
Top Staff appointments include:
— Christi Jacobsen, chief of staff: Jacobsen was the central services division administrator for the Department of Justice. She has a master’s in public administration from the University of Montana.
— Stephanie Hess, chief policy adviser: Hess served in the Montana House of Reprsentatives and was an elections specialist to the Secretary of State’s Office from 2007-2009.
— Derek Oestreicher, elections director: Oestreicher has a law degree from UM. He has worked with Davis, Hatley, Haffeman & Tighe, P.C., a civil litigation firm in Great Falls.
— Morgan Darlington, communications director: Darlington is a graduate of Montana State University. She has worked for both the U.S. House and Senate.
— Will Selph, project manager: Selph has worked for U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, and was part of the recent effort to re-elect Zinke. Selph is a graduate of UM.
— Jeff Hindoien, chief legal counsel: Hindoien is a Great Falls native and a graduate of MSU and the University of Wyoming College of Law.