Gov. Brian Schweitzer is naming his education policy adviser to be the office's new budget director.

Former legislator Dan Villa will replace David Ewer, who is leaving to take a job as executive director of the Montana Board of Investments. The appointment is effective Dec. 1.

Villa has been advising the governor on education policy since 2009. Before that, Villa represented Anaconda in the legislature.

The governor's budget office will prepare one more proposed state spending plane before the governor, who faces term limits, leaves office at the end of next year.

Schweitzer says Villa understands complex state funding issues important to carrying out the job.

Villa will be paid a salary of $91,000 in the new post.

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