Montana’s state tourism director gone

News of the sudden departure of the state’s top tourism official sent shockwaves through Montana’s tourism industry over the weekend.

Big Bear

Sources from the state’s tourism industry and a source close to the Department of Commerce said Betsy Baumgart, the longtime director of the Montana office of tourism, was fired Friday afternoon.

Recently-appointed commerce director Dore Schwinden confirmed that as of Friday, Baumgart no longer works for the Commerce Department. Baumgart was hired to head the state’s tourism office in 2002 during the administration of Republican Gov. Judy Martz.

By JOHN S. ADAMS Tribune Capitol Bureau

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