Alan Peura, a legislative fiscal analyst and Helena city commissioner, has been hired as deputy director of the Montana Department of Revenue.

Peura, 47, will join the department July 28 at an annual salary of $85,658. He succeeds David Hunter, who left the deputy director’s job in March after nearly two years to head the Montana Democratic Party’s coordinated campaign.

“We are delighted to have Alan — a person of great energy and talent — join our organization,” Revenue Director Dan Bucks said. “We’re confident that he will be a top-notch leader who will serve Montana citizens and businesses well.”

As deputy director, Peura will play a critical leadership role as the department moves forward with its work in tax administration and liquor control, Bucks said. He will assist with all upper-level executive and management activities, including planning, budgeting, policy development, taxpayer affairs, personnel, public relations and other department activities.

Peura has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in social studies education from Widener University in Pennsylvania.

He’s worked as a legislative fiscal analyst in Montana since 2003. Peura previously was director of graduate and special programs at Widener University School of Engineering in Pennsylvania and worked for several nonprofit groups in Pennsylvania.

Peura on Wednesday said he’s honored “to work in the Department of Revenue and have the opportunity to be a part of the team.”

“I just really am looking forward to the opportunity,” he said.

Peura said he’s excited to join the department’s work toward creating a more-equitable tax system for Montanans and its goals of effectively, efficiently and responsibly addressing citizens’ needs.

He was elected to the Helena City Commission in 2005.

Independent Record reporter Larry Kline contributed to this story.