Incoming Secretary of State Linda McCulloch on Tuesday announced her key staff appointees.

"After careful consideration, I have chosen an experienced and professional staff to join me at the secretary of state's office," McCulloch said. "Our new team will complement the dedicated staff already in place at the secretary of state's office. We'll work together to ensure fair, accurate elections across Montana and help our state's businesses grow and expand in today's changing economy."

A Democrat, McCulloch takes office Jan. 5 and replaces Republican Brad Johnson, whom she defeated in the November election. Her salary, set by state law, will be $79,123, which is a substantial reduction from her current $99,274 salary as state superintendent of public instruction.

Here are members of her appointed staff and their annual salaries:

n Harper Lawson, chief of staff and chief deputy, $78,900. He worked for both of Gov. Brian Schweitzer's winning campaigns, serving as campaign manager in 2008 and communications director in 2004. Lawson previously was communications director for U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., and was a senior associate for GMMB Inc., a national public affairs and political consulting firm. He has a bachelor's degree from American University's School of Public Affairs.

n Galen Hollenbaugh, deputy chief of staff, $66,000. Hollenbaugh, a Democratic state representative, will be on leave without pay from McCulloch's office until the 2009 Legislature adjourns. He's been deputy chief of staff for Attorney General Mike McGrath, working in the Justice Department for 14 years. Hollenbaugh also worked for Secretary of State Mike Cooney. He has a bachelor's degree in political science and master's in public administration from UM.

n Lisa Kimmet, elections deputy, $68,950. She is the lone holdover from Johnson's appointed staff, holding the post for a year. She previously served as Prairie County clerk and record and District Court clerk for 18 years and was president of state Association of Clerks and Recorders. Schweitzer appointed her to serve on the Montana Land Information Advisory Council.

n Rusty Harper, administrative rules and notary deputy, $65,600. Harper has been federal liaison and staffed the state Land Board under McCulloch at OPI. He has been vice president for development for Rocky Mountain College in Billings and held management jobs for St. Paul's United Methodist Church and state Auditor Mark O'Keefe. He has a bachelor's degree in English from Rocky Mountain College and a master's in divinity from Iliff School of Theology, Denver.

n Jorge Quintana, legal counsel, $68,500. He's had a private law practice in Helena for three years after serving as an assistant attorney general and working as a deputy Lewis and Clark County attorney. He received a law degree from UM and a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York.

n Terri Knapp, communications director, $58,500. Knapp has been McCulloch's communications director at OPI. She had worked as a Capitol television correspondent and bureau chief for Montana's News Station and anchored weekend and nightly news shows in Great Falls. She has a bachelor's degree from Indiana University, majoring in journalism and Spanish.

n Kima Rosling, executive assistant, $44,057. Rosling has been executive assistant to McCulloch at OPI since May 2007. She previously worked on Senate staff during the 2007 and 2009 legislative sessions. She attended UM.

n Canon Luerkens, office coordinator, $37,362. He's been OPI office manager under McCulloch and worked for the the state Department of Environmental Quality. He graduated from Carroll College, majoring in environmental studies and history.