Select Page

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 12, 2021

Contact:

Angie Poss, Assistant Commissioner of Communications

505.470.2965

aposs@slo.state.nm.us

Commissioner Garcia Richard Announces Two New Appointees  

SANTA FE, NM – Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard today announced two new appointments of staff to serve her administration in the capacity of Assistant Commissioner. These crucial senior staff are tasked with advancing the Commissioner’s priorities while fulfilling the State Land Office’s (SLO) constitutional mandate of stewarding and managing nine million surface and 13 million mineral acres of state trust land. The SLO has 14 exempt positions, which serve at the pleasure of the Commissioner of Public Lands.

Selena Romero was recently appointed as Assistant Commissioner of Administrative Services. Administrative Services at SLO consists of five divisions including Accounting, Human Resources, Records, Facilities, and IT. Selena has more than 15 years of experience in state government and a total of 19 years in training and organizational development. Previously she was the SLO Human Resources Director. She has also worked as the Human Resources Manager for the New Mexico Public School Facilities Authority. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration and two post graduate certifications in Mediation and Human Resources Management.

Returning to the SLO, Greg Bloom has been appointed as Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives. Greg will work to advance key priority initiatives by coordinating across divisions within SLO.  Greg served as U.S. Senator Tom Udall’s state director from 2015 through the senator’s retirement. Prior to that, Greg was Assistant Commissioner for Mineral Resources at the SLO under Commissioner Ray Powell and represented him on the Oil Conservation Commission. 

“Selena and Greg both have indispensable knowledge of the State Land Office and our mission. Their expertise and experience will be invaluable as many long term initiatives come to fruition in the next two years of my first term,” Commissioner Garcia Richard said. “Today’s appointments round out our hardworking and dedicated leadership team. Thanks to the efforts of this team and SLO staff at every level, we are on track to surpass our goal of tripling the amount of renewable energy generated on state trust land; holding the oil and gas industry accountable for the land they lease; expanding outdoor recreation; setting appropriate bonding amounts; and using data and technology to steward land – there’s much more to come and I’m excited for what we have and will accomplish together.”  

Under the leadership of Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard, the New Mexico State Land Office has seen back-to-back years of revenue over $1 billion. Over 13 million acres of state trust land are leased for a variety of uses, including ranching and farming, renewable energy, business development, mineral development, and outdoor recreation. The money earned from leasing activity supports 22 beneficiaries – New Mexico public schools, seven universities and colleges, the School for the Deaf, the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, three hospitals, water and land conservation projects, and public building construction and repair.