Our Leadership
Michelle Lujan Grisham
Governor
Michelle Lujan Grisham is the thirty-second governor of the state of New Mexico, the first Democratic Latina to be elected governor in U.S. history…
Howie Morales
Lt. Governor
Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales, raised in Silver City, New Mexico, has spent his whole life working to improve the lives of people in his community and across our state…
Aging and Long-Term Services Department
Kaltenbach brings more than two decades of leadership in public policy, health care reform, and advocacy, as well as a strong track-record of advancing services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and communities across New Mexico. Kaltenbach will join the administration on November 4, 2024.
Department of Agriculture
Jeff M. Witte currently is President of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, a past president of the Western United States Agriculture Trade Association and on the board and past president of the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
Children, Youth & Families Department
Teresa Casados brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience and she is one of the most trusted, tenured civil servants in State Government. In her role as Chief Operating Officer for the Office of the Governor, she executed plans, built teams, and took action to realize the goal and vision of the Executive.
Department of Corrections
Alisha Tafoya Lucero has nearly two decades of experience in the New Mexico Corrections Department, beginning in 2001 as a classification officer and serving as Deputy Warden and Interim Warden of the Penitentiary of New Mexico and Interim Warden of Springer Correctional Facility.
Department of Cultural Affairs
Debra Garcia y Griego was previously the director of the city of Santa Fe Arts Commission, a position she held since 2012, during which time she led the city’s efforts to support arts and cultural affairs. She is also a member of the Executive Committee of Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education.
Early Childhood Education & Care Department
Elizabeth Groginsky has more than two decades of executive leadership experience administering public and private human service organizations at the national, state and local levels. She previously served as the assistant superintendent of early learning for the District of Columbia, a role she held for nearly five years.
Economic Development Department
Rob Black was named Cabinet Secretary designee of Economic Development by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in September 2024. As Secretary of Economic Development, Black oversees the state’s efforts to foster economic growth, support businesses, and create jobs across New Mexico.
Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
Melanie A. Kenderdine was appointed Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) in May 2024. She brings a wealth of experience in energy policy, technology, and innovation to her role, with a focus on advancing New Mexico’s leadership in clean energy and resource management.
Environment Department
James Kenney has spent more than 21 years across two stints at the Environmental Protection Agency, most recently as senior policy advisor for oil and gas, working with senior agency leadership and designing strategies to support environmentally responsible development of oil and natural gas resources while working with states, tribes, federal agencies and industries on regulatory and policy matters.
Department of Finance and Administration
Wayne Propst has two decades of experience in state and federal government and financial management, including nearly a decade as executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico, where he oversaw a $15.5 billion trust fund and worked with Gov. Lujan Grisham to enact comprehensive pension reform to improve the fund’s long-term solvency.
General Services Department
Robert E. Doucette, Jr. has been in public service for over 25 years. He worked at the WCA from April, 2011 to May, 2015, overseeing the agency’s operations and support functions. He has served as deputy manager of Sandoval County and was Deputy Superintendent of Insurance for New Mexico from 2015 to 2021.
Department of Health
Patrick M. Allen is a regulator and public health professional with a proven record of improving health care systems. Allen has spent more than 30 years in public service, most recently serving as the director of the Oregon Health Authority under Gov. Kate Brown.
Higher Education Department
Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Major General Miguel Aguilar serves as the Adjutant General for the State of New Mexico and the Acting Cabinet Secretary for the State’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Health Care Authority
Kari Armijo, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA), brings over two decades of dedicated public service to her role, exemplifying a deep commitment to improving health care for all New Mexicans.
Department of Indian Affairs
Josett Monette is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. She currently serves as the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department (IAD). As Cabinet Secretary, Josett oversees IAD’s programs, including tribal environmental, tribal consultation, and MMIP initiatives. Her General Counsel work consists of providing advice and counsel on a variety state and tribal matters and advising the Department on a variety of internal policies.
Department of Information Technology
Manny Barreras brings a wealth of expertise to the role of Cabinet Secretary designee for the New Mexico Department of Technology, with 26 years of professional experience in sales and business development, including 22 years dedicated to technical sales, marketing management, and public relations.
New Mexico National Guard
Major General Miguel Aguilar serves as the Adjutant General for the State of New Mexico. As the Adjutant General, he serves as senior military advisor to the Governor and is responsible for providing the State of New Mexico and the United States with a ready force of citizen Airmen and Soldiers.
Office of African American Affairs
Charles Reado serves as the acting executive director of the Office of African American Affairs. He has dedicated his life to public service, serving in the armed forces, in law enforcement, as a first responder, and in New Mexico state government.
Department of Public Education
Mariana Padilla was named Cabinet Secretary designee for the New Mexico Public Education Department in September 2024.
Padilla has served as the Director of the New Mexico Children’s Cabinet since the start of the administration, leading the Governor’s child and family well-being agenda. She also serves as the Governor’s senior education policy advisor, overseeing early childhood, K-12, and higher education.
Department of Public Safety
A respected police officer and administrator, Jason R. Bowie has worked in New Mexico law enforcement for decades. Bowie retired as the Deputy Chief of the Rio Rancho Police Department after a distinguished 27-year career in 2021 before being named Secretary of the Department of Public Safety. Throughout his career, he has sought to build relationships with communities and to support officers in their mission to protect and serve.
Regulation and Licensing Department
Clay Bailey has been appointed Superintendent of the Regulation and Licensing Department, and will continue to oversee the Construction Industries Division and the Manufactured Housing Division.
Taxation and Revenue Department
Stephanie Schardin Clarke has over 20 years of experience in New Mexico government administration. She previously served as Deputy Secretary for the Department of Finance and Administration, Director of the State Board of Finance, and as Santa Fe County Finance Director.
Department of Tourism
Lancing Adams currently serves as the Acting Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. Lancing brings with him a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors. Prior to serving as the Acting Cabinet Secretary, Lancing served as the Department’s Tourism Development Director.
Department of Transportation
Ricky Serna has worked in state government for over a dozen years and previously served as acting leadership for the Department of Workforce Solutions and the State Personnel Office. Prior to joining the administration he served as the interim president at Luna Community College.
Department of Veterans Services
Brigadier General Jamison Herrera is a native of New Mexico and has completed 34 years of service to our great state and nation. He enlisted as a Private First Class in 1989 as a member of the 515th Maintenance Battalion in Santa Fe and went on to receive his commission through the Officer Candidate School class 33-91. He is currently assigned as Deputy Adjutant General for the New Mexico National Guard.
Department of Workforce Solutions
Sarita Nair is a proven leader in the government field, most recently serving as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Albuquerque, overseeing 22 departments and a city budget of over $1.2 billion. Prior to working for the city, she was Chief Governmental Accountability Officer and General Counsel for the Office of the State Auditor.
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