Kent Paulson, long-time Montana educator, administrator and coach, has been named the first full-time commissioner of the Frontier Conference. 

The announcement came Tuesday from Tom Trebon, president at Carroll College and the chair of the league's Council of Presidents.  Paulson replaces Mike Walker, who steps down after three years as the league's part-time commissioner.  

 "I am elated and truly humbled to have been selected as the league's first full-time commissioner," said Paulson.  "I pledge to work hard every day to continue to move the Frontier Conference forward and contribute in all aspects possible to it's rich academic and athletic traditions."

The search for Walker's replacement began in early spring and a committeewas established.  Each conference school was represented on the committee. The league's Council of Presidents, following interviews, selected Paulson at the Frontier Conference spring meetings.   

 "Kent Paulson is a perfect fit for the Frontier Conference Commissioner," Trebon said.  "There were many outstanding candidates for this position but Kent rose to the top with his administrative skills, Montana business contacts and his passion for Frontier Conference Athletics.  He follows an outstanding leader in Mike Walker who brought energy and skills to the position."

Paulson spent 14 years at Whitefish High School, nine as assistant principal and the past five as principal. A skilled educator with a passion for academic excellence, he has a strong background in public administration, budget and personnel management, teaching and coaching.

A veteran of the Montana High School coaching ranks, Paulson taught and coached track and basketball at both Troy and C.M. Russell High Schools (CMR).

Paulson has been active with the Montana High School Association. He is a former MOA Basketball Official, a basketball tournament manager and is a respected track and field official.

Paulson graduated with a bachelor of science degree in education from the Western Montana College (Montana Western) in 1973, and earned a masters of education from the Dillon school in guidance counseling in 1979.  He received his secondary principal endorsement from the University of Montana in 1980.  

"I want to personally congratulate Mike Walker for his tremendous efforts," Paulson said.  "Under Mike's quality leadership, the Frontier Conference has risen to a success level unprecedented in league history.  Athletic teams from the conference have placed the Frontier at the very top of the NAIA ladder."

During Walker's tenure as Commissioner, the Frontier continued to be a force on the national level, winning national titles in football (2), men's basketball (1)
        
The nine-team Frontier Conference has schools in four states and includes Carroll College, Eastern Oregon University, the University of Great Falls, Lewis-Clark State College, Montana State University-Northern, Montana Tech, Montana Western, Rocky Mountain College and Westminster College. 

Paulson and his wife, Joan, are the parents of three children; Kale, 32 , Krista. 30 and Kurt  26. 

Paulson will officially begin his duties on July 1st.