Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today new hires and appointments in his administration.

Lloyd Knight is serving as Policy Director in the Office of the Governor. Knight advises the Governor on nuclear energy, natural resources, and other policy areas while overseeing a team of policy advisors in the office. Knight was Deputy Director at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and previously worked in the Division of Financial Management. He was also Executive Vice President of the Idaho Cattle Association. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Idaho.

Jake Reynolds has been named permanent Director at the Office of Information Technology Services (OITS). Reynolds has been serving as Interim Director of OITS since July when former OITS Director Alberto Gonzalez was appointed Director of the Idaho Transportation Department. Reynolds was the Business Development and Operations Manager at the Idaho Department of Commerce and held roles in sales, recruitment, and agriculture earlier in his career. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Idaho.

George Gutierrez was appointed to the Idaho Industrial Commission. Gutierrez has been serving as Director of the commission. He has 38 years of public and private sector leadership experience, including 28 years serving the State of Idaho and 25 years operating a small business in Idaho. Before entering state service, Gutierrez spent 10 years in the private sector working in the workers’ compensation and employment development areas, and in nonprofit leadership roles with national nonprofit organizations. He holds a master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Adina Bielenberg was been appointed to the Idaho Economic Advisory Council. Bielenberg is the Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory (SEL) and previously served as Chief of Staff at SEL. She also was previously the Director of Marketing and Development at Gritman Medical Center. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho.

Robert Gilliam has been appointed to the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole. Gilliam is retired after nearly 40 years of experience in law enforcement in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and California. He attended the American Military University, the FBI Command College and the FBI National Academy, and has completed extensive training over the course of his career.

Melinda Croswell also was appointed to the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole. Croswell retired from the Boise Police Department after 24 years of dedicated service. She brings to the commission a varied law enforcement background and expertise in drug recognition, sex crimes, and polygraphy.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral studies from George Fox University.

Janelle White is serving as Interim Director at the Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination (OSMEC) following the departure of Cally Younger who pursued a position in the private sector. White is the Administrator of the Division of Human Resources. The State of Idaho will be advertising the OSMEC Director position in the coming weeks.

“Public service is an honor, and I am grateful to each of these Idahoans for their willingness to step up and serve. They bring a wealth of experience, talent, and dedication to their positions, and I know they will put the people of Idaho first as they take on these important roles. I appreciate their commitment to making Idaho an even better place to live, work, and raise a family,” Governor Little said.