FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: June 26, 2023
Contact:
Joey Keefe, Assistant Commissioner of Communications
505.470.2965
jkeefe@slo.state.nm.us
State Land Office Named Top Midsize Employer by Albuquerque Journal Top Workplaces
Agency ranked in top 1% of work-life flexibility, meaningful work, inclusion and employee appreciation; 98% of employees would recommend working at the agency
SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico State Land Office has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2023 honor by The Albuquerque Journal Top Workplaces, ranking as the #1 midsize employer regardless of sector, Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard announced today. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by the Albuquerque Journal’s employee engagement technology partner, Energage, LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.
Over the past few years, Commissioner Garcia Richard instituted agency-wide policies that invest in and support employees, including providing telework options that meet the needs of both employees and the agency. The State Land Office’s mission is to earn money for schools and other public institutions by responsibly leasing state lands for energy production, commercial development, and agriculture, among other uses. The State Land Office continued to earn record-breaking revenue every year since 2019, exceeding $2.4 billion last year alone, as these cultural changes were implemented.
“We strive to provide our employees with meaningful work-life balance, knowing that they all have a life outside of their job,” said Commissioner Garcia Richard. “Our employees care for parents, children, spouses, grandparents and other loved ones. We want everyone at the agency to feel like they can reasonably fulfill their personal as well as professional responsibilities. These folks are the backbone of our agency and the record revenue we have earned in the past few years is due to their amazing professionalism and hard work.”
Some highlights from the survey to State Land Office employees:
- 97.6% of employees took the survey (160/164)
- The agency ranked in the top 1% in State Government for:
- Work-life flexibility
- Meaningful work
- Employee appreciation
- Inclusion
- Confidence in leadership
- The agency was in the top 3% in the State Government category for managers caring about the concerns of employees.
- The agency ranked the top 5% in the State Government category for operating by strong values.
- 98% of employees would recommend working at New Mexico State Land Office.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard has overseen the New Mexico State Land Office since 2019. In that time the agency has raised more than $5 billion for New Mexico public schools, hospitals, and universities. 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 State Land Office has a dual mandate to use state trust land to financially support vital public institutions, while simultaneously working to protect the land for future generations.