COEUR d'ALENE - Jeffrey Bell once worked in downtown Coeur d'Alene and paid rent to a landlord named Sandi Bloem.

Now he's going to be paying her again, but not for office space.

Bell announced Monday that Bloem, Coeur d'Alene's longest serving mayor, has joined Gallatin Public Affairs with the title "of counsel." Bell is Gallatin's managing partner.

"Who woulda' guessed?" Bell said with a laugh Monday when recalling how he paid rent to Bloem from 1990 to 1994 for an office on the second floor of the Elder Building, and now two decades later, they'll be working together.

Bloem served as Coeur d'Alene mayor from 2002 to 2014. She's still involved part-time with the family's downtown store, Johannes Jewelers, but working "of counsel" means she'll basically be free to determine which projects she tackles for Gallatin.

Bell described Gallatin's mission as working through "complex and difficult issues" with a variety of clients on many levels, adding that Bloem is ideally prepared to help fulfill that mission.

"We have long admired Sandi's leadership qualities in working with a diversity of viewpoints to solve problems and lead the city forward," he said. "There is a reason she was elected for three terms. Sandi got things done even under the most difficult circumstances at times."

He added: "She's principled. She's courageous. She's not afraid to make difficult decisions."

Bloem said the good fit works both ways.

"I am very familiar with Gallatin's work in the region and admire their strategic and common sense approach to problem solving," she said. "I like to work on teams; that's very important to me. Now, working with Gallatin allows me to remain involved with people and issues I care most about."

Bloem said she has no particular projects to bring to Gallatin's immediate attention, but possible development of East Sherman Avenue could appear on the radar.

"Had I stayed (in office), Sherman would've been a high priority," Bloem said Monday. "I still feel that way. I think Gallatin could be a tremendous asset to that project. Building a strong team is the only way that'll happen, and that's Gallatin's expertise."

Bloem, 72, said one of the aspects of the job she's most eager about is mentoring some of Gallatin's younger professionals. The average age of Gallatin employees is 38.

"That's phenomenal for future leaders of our company to have that resource," Bell said.

Bloem also said she's excited about a new quest into uncharted personal territory.

"I don't know for sure what's in store for me, but every time I've gone outside the box, outside my comfort zone, it's worked out," she said. "I've never regretted that in my life."

What is Gallatin?

Gallatin is one of the Northwest's most influential public affairs firms. It has offices in Boise; in Seattle, Spokane and Olympia, Wash.; and in Portland and Salem, Ore.

According to its website, gallatinpa.com:

Gallatin is celebrating its 25th year representing clients at the often complex intersection of government, business, politics and the media. We help clients seize opportunities, overcome challenges and grow. We are strategists, lobbyists, communicators, policy experts, researchers and organizers - experienced bipartisan professionals who can help you succeed.