Assistant Commissioner of Engagement

Ethan Orlando Ortega (he, him, his) serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Cultural Resources and Lead Agency Archaeologist for the newly formed Cultural Resources Division at the New Mexico State Land Office, and works to to steward trust lands in a way that honors and respects the heritage of descendant communities. Ortega’s experience includes archaeological excavations and surveys in Spain and throughout the American Southwest. Recent honors include the Edgar Lee Hewett Award (2017), the Bice Award for Archaeological Excellence (2017), the Cordell/Powers Prize for Young Archaeologists (2017), and a Leadership in History Award from the American Association for State and Local History (presented to “Dig Giusewa” 2018). Ortega holds a B.S. in Anthropology from Eastern New Mexico University and a M.S. in Museum Studies from the University of New Mexico.