News Release
Governor Names New Communications Director
12/17/2002
Meta Boyer
406-444-5665
meboyer@state.mt.us
Chuck Butler, currently Vice President for Government and Public Relations with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT), will join the Governor’s Office in early January.
“We are incredibly pleased to have an individual of this caliber with a strong background in journalism, public policy, and communications joining us. I have worked closely with Chuck for 15 years, and have incredible respect for him,” said Governor Martz. “It is important that Montanans have access to the information they need from this office in a timely and complete manner. Chuck will provide that connection, serving as a conduit between the public and this office.”
For the past 17 years, Butler has served as a vice president with BCBSMT, with responsibilities for government relations, including lobbying and advocacy at the state and federal levels, public and community relations, and media relations. For many years, he also had responsibility for contractual relations.
Butler also serves on the Montana Health Board of Governors, and on the board for the Caring Foundation of Montana. He oversaw the organization’s partnership with the state in launching the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
"I'm very proud to have been offered this position by Governor Martz to assist in the communications role of her administration,” said Butler. “After many years in the private sector, this is truly an exciting opportunity to return to government and to work with Governor Martz and the strong leaders in her cabinet."
Prior to joining BCBSMT, Butler worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Vermont as the public relations coordinator for Vermont operations with responsibility for media relations, government relations/lobbying, and community service.
He was the personal assistant to republican gubernatorial candidate Deane C. Davis during his successful bid for Governor in 1968 and worked in his office following the campaign. He also managed the successful campaign for Vermont Governor Richard A. Snelling in 1976, and served in the Governor’s cabinet as Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs, press secretary and chief of staff.
During the past year, Butler provided strategic campaign counsel to Jim
Douglas, who won the Vermont election for governor in this year's
elections.
Butler was a reporter for Vermont’s capitol city newspaper, the Barre-Montpelier Argus Times from 1970 until 1971, when he joined United Press International’s Vermont Bureau. He received the United States Senator George D. Aiken Fellowship for Working Vermont Journalists, and spent a month on the senator’s staff in Washington, DC.
“Chuck’s background will bring invaluable expertise to this office,” said Governor Martz. “His enthusiasm and expertise will make a great addition to our team.”
Butler’s salary will be $65,000.
(see attached detailed biographical information)
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Biographical Information for Chuck Butler
Birthdate: September 12, 1945
Birthplace: Burlington, VT
High School: Arcadia High School - Phoenix, AZ
College: Arizona State University, School of Business Administration
Bachelor’s in Business Administration – 1968
Career Positions
1985—2002 Vice President For Government and Public Relations
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Montana
1980—1985 Vice President for Government and Public Relations
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont
l979—l980 Director, government and public relations,
Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Hampshire-Vermont
1976—1979 Campaign Manager for Governor Richard A. Snelling
Cabinet Postions for Governor Snelling
Press Secretary
Chief of Staff and
Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs
1974—1976 Public Relations Coordinator
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Hampshire/Vermont
1971—1974 Vermont Bureau Reporter
United Press International
1970—1971 Reporter
Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
1968—1970 Campaign Personal Assistant and
Assistant to Governor Deane C. Davis
