He is Ken Mesch, currently DES director for Stillwater County. Montana National Guard Adjutant General John Walsh announced the appointment Monday. Mesch will begin work on Monday, February 2.

He replaces Dan McGowan, who accepted a post as homeland security adviser for the Montana Department of Military Affairs late last year. DES is a division of the Military Affairs Department.

Mesch brings to the DES job a master's degree in public administration, 23 years of professional experience in state government and 11 years in local government.