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A week after announcing an exploratory committee for president, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's (R) campaign is rolling out his finance team in preparation for a strong fundraising performance this spring.

The second fundraising quarter, which begins April 1, is crucial for Pawlenty as he seeks to prove his viability in the wide-open Republican presidential field. Pawlenty is lesser-known nationally than many of his prospective rivals, but a strong quarter would prove his bona fides.

Pawlenty has told his backers to hold off until the beginning of next month to begin contributing -- to maximize the second-quarter fundraising figure.

For his team, Pawlenty has tapped Brian Haley as his national finance director. Haley served a similar role for Pawlenty's Freedom First political action committee, and previously served as the deputy national finance director for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.

Pawlenty's deputy national finance director will be Katie McBreen, who most recently served as the finance director for newly-elected Sen. Jerry Moran's (R-Kan.) campaign. She worked for Mitt Romney's campaign in the last presidential election.

Another notable get: Ann Herberger, a close ally of the Bush family and one of Romney's leading fundraisers in 2008. She also assisted now-Sen. Marco Rubio's (R-Fla.) campaign with fundraising when he was the clear underdog in the Florida Senate primary last year. Herberger will be serving as a senior finance consultant, with a focus on national outreach. She is currently President of the Woods Herberger group.