Commission

Michelle Lujan Grisham is the 32nd Governor of New Mexico, having assumed office on January 1, 2019. A longtime public servant born in Los Alamos and a 12th-generation New Mexican, she previously served in Congress representing New Mexico’s 1st District and held roles in state health and county government. Her leadership has emphasized education access, healthcare innovation, climate policy and economic development for all communities in the state.

Henry C. “Howie” Morales has served as the Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico since January 1, 2019. A former special-education teacher and high-school baseball coach from Silver City, he also served over a decade in the New Mexico State Senate. Morales is a passionate advocate for students, educators, rural communities, and post-secondary career and technical programs.

Javier Martínez is the Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, having taken office as Speaker in January 2023 and representing District 11 (Albuquerque area). A first-generation college student and attorney with a background in community organizing, he has focused on inclusive economic policy, early childhood education and legislative modernization.

Debra Garcia y Griego serves as Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. With over 23 years of experience in cultural public policy, she oversees a portfolio that includes eight state museums, nine historic sites, arts programs, archaeology, libraries and historic-preservation efforts. Prior to this role she led the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission and held positions in theater, dance and museum work.

Josett D. Monette is the Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, and was unanimously confirmed by the New Mexico Senate in February 2024. A member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, she previously worked in tribal-legal advocacy and served as General Counsel and Deputy Secretary of the department. Her leadership emphasizes strong government-to-government relationships with New Mexico’s 23 Nations, Tribes and Pueblos, and advancing the sovereignty, infrastructure, education and well-being of Indigenous communities.

Mariana Padilla was appointed as Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Public Education Department in September 2024 after serving as Director of the New Mexico Children’s Cabinet and senior education-policy advisor to the Governor. Governor Lujan Grisham+2New Mexico PED+2 A native of Albuquerque’s South Valley and former elementary teacher, Padilla has helped shape early childhood, K–12 and higher-education policy in the state and now leads the department’s efforts to improve academic achievement, increase student engagement and ensure college/career readiness.

Major General Miguel Aguilar serves as the Adjutant General of the New Mexico National Guard, acting as the senior military advisor to Governor Lujan Grisham and overseeing New Mexico’s citizen Airmen and Soldiers for the state and the U.S. A native of Dexter, NM, he began his career in 1990 as a 2nd Lieutenant and has held numerous command and staff roles, including deployments to Afghanistan and Egypt, and previously served in the New Mexico State Police.

Rob Martinez is the State Historian of New Mexico, responsible for preserving and interpreting the history and cultural heritage of the state. A native of Albuquerque, he earned a B.B.A. in International Business Management and an M.A. in Latin American History from the University of New Mexico. Through his “New Mexico History in 10 Minutes” series and public lectures, he brings forward stories of New Mexico’s Spanish-colonial, Indigenous and multi-cultural past for diverse audiences.

Eleanor B. Ortiz serves as the State Regent of the New Mexico State Organization, Daughters of the American Revolution, a membership-based service organization dedicated to historic preservation, education and patriotism. Under her leadership, the group continues to commemorate New Mexico’s role in early American history, support youth and educational programs, and engage chapters statewide in community service.

Rochelle Ann Miller-Hernandez leads Visit Las Cruces, the tourism and destination-marketing organization for Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico. With a background in community engagement and regional economic development, she focuses on promoting Las Cruces as a vibrant travel destination and supporting local businesses tied to tourism.