Our Leadership

Jen Paul Schroer is currently serving as the Cabinet Secretary Designate for the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department. Most recently, she served as the Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, which celebrated an all-time record year in spending during her tenure.

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.

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.

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.

Mark Roper was named Acting EDD Cabinet Secretary by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in January 2024. He is a seventh-generation New Mexican with a long background in government, media, marketing, and community service. Roper joined the EDD in 2014 as a community, rural, and business development representative and was named Division Director for Economic Development in 2019.

Dylan Fuge was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department in December 2023, after serving as Director of the agency’s Oil Conservation Division. Prior to becoming the OCD Director, Mr. Fuge was EMNRD’s General Counsel. Mr. Fuge is a natural resources and public lands attorney with 15+ years of experience in both the private and public sectors advising clients on complex natural resources and regulatory issues.

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.

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.

David Dye has nearly 30 years of experience in Homeland Security as an Officer in the U.S. military and ten years of experience in military Emergency Management.  He has served on major staffs both in the United States and overseas supporting thousands of sailors, soldiers, airmen, Marines, their families and civilian employees.

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.

Raja Sambandam was named the Department of Information Technology Acting Cabinet Secretary in June 2023. Mr. Sambandam joined DoIT in April of 2020 as the State Chief Information Security Officer. As an Information Technology professional, he brings more than 20 years of experience in Information Technology and business in the areas of Banking, Finance, Taxation, Healthcare, and Manufacturing.

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.

Dr. Arsenio Romero, a native New Mexican and son of an educator, has spent the last quarter-century serving New Mexico communities as a school and district leader. Prior to his appointment as Public Education Department Secretary-designate, Dr. Romero served as superintendent of Los Lunas Schools and superintendent and CEO of Deming Public Schools.

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.

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.

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.

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.