SANTA FE — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham today announced the appointment of David D. Quintana as Acting Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

Quintana has more than two decades of experience at the department, rising through the ranks from Engineer in Training to his most recent role as Programs and Infrastructure Division Director and Chief Engineer — a position in which he oversees more than 220 employees and manages an annual budget exceeding $500 million.

“David Quintana has spent his career delivering transportation projects that connect our communities and move New Mexico forward,” Governor Lujan Grisham said. “He is well prepared to lead the Department of Transportation.”

Quintana has experience directing the department’s statewide design and construction program, managing six district offices and overseeing project development, bridge design, environmental review, right-of-way acquisition and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan. Earlier in his career, he served in district engineering roles across northern New Mexico and as Roadway and Drainage Section Manager for the City of Santa Fe.

Quintana holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University.

He will assume the role immediately.