Speech
Communications Director Announcement
Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
State Capitol
12/17/2002
Good afternoon, and thank you for joining me today as we announce our administration’s new communications director.
Chuck Butler, could you join me up here?
I am pleased today to welcome Chuck to our team as the new communications director for our office. [start applause]
Now, I know that many of you here today know Chuck. I’ve known and worked closely with him for the past 15 years, and have incredible respect for him.
But what a lot of folks don’t know is the incredible breadth of Chuck’s background. I’d like to spend a few minutes sharing that with you.
For the past 17 years, Chuck has worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. As most of you know, his responsibilities have included government relations, including lobbying and advocacy at the state and federal levels, public and community relations, and media relations.
Here in Montana, he 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, or CHIP.
Prior to joining the Blues in Montana, Chuck 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.
In addition to his experience with the Blues, Chuck has extensive background working with a number of governors.
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.
Just this year, Chuck provided strategic campaign counsel to Jim Douglas, who won the Vermont election for governor in November.
But, his experience extends beyond politics as well.
Chuck was a reporter for Vermont’s capitol city newspaper, the Barre-Montpelier (BARRY MONT PEEL YER) Argus-Times from 1970 until 1971, when he joined United Press International’s Vermont Bureau, where he worked for three years.
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 is a graduate of Arizona State University.
I can’t tell you how incredibly pleased I am to have Chuck joining us. His background will bring invaluable expertise to this office. His enthusiasm and expertise will make a great addition to our team.
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.
[other personal notes]
I’d now like to turn the podium to Chuck to make a few comments, and then we’ll open the floor for questions.
Chuck…
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