HELENA--John MacDonald, a 16-year veteran of The Associated Press, joined The Gallatin Group’s Helena, Montana office as a Principal, expanding the firm’s public affairs, strategic communications and government relations practice in Montana, the Pacific Northwest and Washington, D.C.
 
MacDonald most recently served as the AP's news editor for Montana and Wyoming.  As news editor, MacDonald managed a staff of writers and editors and coordinated AP's extensive regional news coverage of issues including politics, state government and environmental and industry issues. He worked closely with AP members throughout the two states and with AP staff in bureaus throughout the West. The AP is the world’s largest news organization, with a presence in every state and 97 countries.
 
“We are very pleased to have this talented and respected journalist join us and  expect that he will add value to our work with clients all over the Northwest,” said John Etchart, Managing Partner of the Helena office.
 
Prior to his role as news editor, John worked as the AP's correspondent in Fargo, North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota and occasionally southern Manitoba, Canada. From 1991 to 1996 John served as an AP newsman in Bismarck, North Dakota covering issues, including industry and environment, government affairs and politics and the North Dakota Legislature.  He brings a wealth of experience in media and political reporting to The Gallatin Group.
 
“Working for the AP has been a wonderful career and has given me a lot of experience and contacts that will serve me well with The Gallatin Group.  I am truly looking forward to this challenge,” said MacDonald.
 
A native of Missoula, Montana, John graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Journalism. He currently serves as a volunteer court-appointed advocate for the CASA program in Helena, and is a longtime volunteer "big brother" for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters programs in Missoula, Bismarck and Fargo.
 
Founded in 1990, The Gallatin Group is a regional public affairs strategy, government relations, and strategic communications firm with offices in Boise, Spokane, Seattle, Portland, Helena, and Washington, D.C.