WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) announced the hiring of Stefany Bales as his new North Idaho regional director and state communications coordinator, based in Coeur d’Alene.

Bales comes to Sen. Risch’s office from the University of Idaho where she served on the president’s leadership team as the university’s executive director of communications and marketing for more than six years. In addition to her strong strategic communications, marketing and public affairs background, she brings a wealth of experience in forestry, mining and other natural resource issues, which are deeply important to the region and to Sen. Risch.

Bales began her career as vice president of communications for the Intermountain Forest Association in Coeur d’Alene where she spent eight years. She served three years as North Idaho regional director for Senator Mike Crapo in Coeur d’Alene; five years as vice president for PacWest, an Oregon-based public and government affairs firm; and two years as corporate communications director for Coeur Mining.

“I’m very pleased to bring Stefany on board to lead my North Idaho regional office and help coordinate media and communications issues in the state,”  Risch said. “Her deep Idaho ties, depth of experience in strategic communications and media relations and her background in Idaho and regional public and natural resource issues will be a great asset to North Idahoans and to my office. I’m confident she’ll be a great addition to my staff.”

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