Ray Powell is a veterinarian. He received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tufts University, with an emphasis in wildlife medicine in 1985. Prior to his election as Commissioner in 2010, Powell worked with world-renowned scientist and humanitarian Dr. Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research Education and Conservation. Today, the Institute’s youth service-learning program, Roots and Shoots, serves young people from preschool through college in more than 140 countries.
Powell served as State Land Commissioner from 1993-2002 and was the president and vice-president of the 22- member Western States Land Commissioners Association from 1996-1998. He worked closely with federal cabinet members, governors, members of congress, and tribal leaders to improve public policy on trust lands nationwide.
During his tenure as State Land Commissioner he received numerous accolades and awards from business, agriculture, sportsmen, academic, sovereign tribal governments, and environmental groups. Also, he served nearly a decade as a member of the State Investment Council, Mining Commission, Oil and Conservation Commission, the Youth Conservation Corps Commission, and the Capitol Building’s Planning Commission. Prior to that, he served as a special assistant to Governor Bruce King with responsibility for environment, natural resources, health, and recreation.
Commissioner Powell served two terms as a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases. In this capacity he gained significant expertise in understanding the impacts of disease and other pathogens on our human and domestic and wild animal populations.
Powell has been a member of the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Regulation and Licensing Board since 2002 and is currently the chairman, working tirelessly to enhance the humane treatment of animals.
Powell is a native of Albuquerque and attended Albuquerque Public Schools. He received his bachelor’s degree in anthropology and biology, and a master’s degree in botany and plant ecology from the University of New Mexico.
Commissioner Powell is married to Jean Civikly-Powell, a professor emeritus at the University of New Mexico. She developed the Faculty Dispute Resolution Program and serves as ombudsperson for the University. They live in Albuquerque’s North Valley.