GOVERNOR MARTZ ANNOUNCES NEWEST MEMBER OF THE MARTZ/OHS ADMINISTRATION

Martz Hires Steve Nelsen for Community Service Post

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2001
CONTACT: Shane M. Hedges
Governor’s Office
406-444-5522

HELENA, MONTANA -- Governor Judy Martz announced today that Steve Nelsen is the newest addition to the Martz Administration as the Executive Director of the Commission on Community Service. The Commission is charged with implementing a number of programs that encourage Montanans to become more involved in their community through service. Following the Presidents Summit on Youth in 1998, then Lt. Gov. Martz worked with the Commission to hold a state Summit that led to the creation of Montana's Promise.

"Steve is the right fit at the right time, and I am so very pleased he has decided to join our team," said Martz.

The Commission currently administers the national service grant program known as AmeriCorps. Through grants to community organizations, AmeriCorps Members are enlisted to serve their communities and address local environmental, educational. public safety, or other human needs. AmeriCorps programs provide tangible benefits to local communities and foster civic responsibility in those who serve. The Commission also works with the Office of Public Instruction to implement Learn and Serve programs, the Montana Campus Compact and VISTA programs throughout the state.

Nelsen comes with 30 years of experience in the public and private sector. He spent 20 years in State government managing juvenile justice programs with the Montana Board of Crime Control. He staffed several major initiatives working with legislative committees and local governments including the state plan for juvenile detention.

For the last decade he has been the Director of the Montana Conservation Corps - a non profit corporation. Nelsen was the first staff person for MCC which has grown to a $2 million /year agency with 25 crews working on natural resource and community projects around Montana.

"The Montana Office of Community Service is recognized as one of the top programs in the nation and I am honored to join this effort," Nelsen said. " The idea of getting citizens actively involved in solving community problems is a concept that virtually everyone can endorse, and I look forward to working with the Commission and Governor Martz to build on the many successes the Office has accomplished."

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