He's not a declared candidate yet, so official announcements are hard to come by, but former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is starting to attract the kind of skilled behind-the-scenes political operatives that can help a campaign with buzz, fundraising and messaging - while bolstering the confidence of party activists in early primary states.

Eric Woolson, a top aide to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in the 2008 Iowa caucuses, has reportedly signed on with Pawlenty for the coming 2012 contest. As noted by Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post, Woolson was considered a key cog in Huckabee's 2008 Iowa effort - and it's not lost on GOP activists that Huckabee won the Iowa caucuses.

In New Hampshire, the second state on the calendar, RealClearPolitics has learned that top Republican strategist Rich Killion is poised to join the Pawlenty team as well. Like Woolson, Killion is not a household name, but he is highly respected among party professionals and landing him is a considered a significant coup for Pawlenty.

Killion, who was a top adviser to Mitt Romney in the first-in-the-nation primary state in the last presidential campaign, is the vice president of the Concord-based Elevare Communications, where he works in political communications. Just last summer, he joined New Hampshire Republican John Stephen's insurgent campaign against Democratic Gov. John Lynch and helped guide Stephen to a strong performance against the well-liked incumbent. Lynch ultimately defeated Stephen 53 percent to 45 percent.

The Concord strategist is regarded by his peers in New Hampshire as one of the top three GOP strategists in the state - if not the best.

His official biography on Elevare's website does not mention his work with Romney and instead notes that he managed Bruce Keough's gubernatorial bid against Lynch in 2002. (Keough chaired Romney's New Hampshire campaign last time but has not signed on with a presidential candidate yet this cycle.)

According to Killion's bio, he also directed the Martin Fitzwater Center for Communication as well as the Franklin Pierce College Polling Institute, and he was previously the executive director of New Hampshire Citizens for a Sound Economy.

"His public opinion surveys and policy/political/grassroots activities have been addressed by hundreds of regional, national and international media outlets," his bio reads.

Pawlenty has made inroads in recent months in New Hampshire, where Romney is leading the polls by a wide margin. A victory or strong showing in New Hampshire is a priority for Romney, and Pawlenty has begun to emerge as a top alternative to him in the state.