Executive Staff

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Contacting the New Mexico Department of Transportation

Office of Communications

The Public Information Officers of the New Mexico Department of Transportation are dedicated to providing timely responses to inquiries from the press and the public.  There is a Public Information Officer for each of our six districts as well as the Department’s General Office in Santa Fe.

Kristine Mihelcic, Director of Communications
505-469-8243
kristine.mihelcic@dot.nm.gov

Executive Projects

The Executive Projects Office is responsible for state-wide Facilities & Capital Investments, Special Projects & Appropriations, and Buildings and Grounds.

Jerry Valdez, Executive Director
505-795-3033
jerry.valdez@dot.nm.gov

Strategic Infrastructure Development

The Strategic Infrastructure Development Division includes the Planning Division (that oversees the Data Management Bureau, Multimodal Planning and Programs Bureau and Research Bureau), the Asset Management Bureau (that oversees the Transportation Performance Management Program, develops and implements the Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP) and is responsible for managing the NMDOT Bond program and the NMDOT Discretionary Grants Program that includes the USDOT BUILD and INFRA Grants), and the Traffic Safety Division (that advances roadway safety initiatives with partners across the state. These initiatives fund, monitor, and implement diverse projects and programs to eliminate roadway fatalities and injuries on New Mexico’s roadways).

Denise Peralta, P.E., Strategic Infrastructure Development Division Director
505-795-0246
denise.peralta@dot.nm.gov

Highway Operations

There are six District Offices responsible for constructing and maintaining 12,525 centerline miles of highway infrastructure statewide. The Districts are responsible for oversight of a contracted construction program using approximately 34 construction crews and 29 construction offices. There are 82 maintenance patrol units that perform various routine maintenance activities. The Operations Support Division resides within the General Office and provides support services in Administration, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Construction, Maintenance, Fleet and Materials.

Mo Moabed, Deputy Secretary
505-660-7118
mo.moabed@dot.nm.gov

Rick Padilla, Director of Highway Operations
505-490-1168
rick.padilla@dot.nm.gov

John Romero, Senior Engineer Executive
505-470-3777
john.romero4@dot.nm.gov

Office of Business Support

The Office of Business Support provides core support services throughout the agency to meet the demands of a vast New Mexico transportation system that includes both highways and public transportation. Our goal is to be responsible stewards to our customers whose tax dollars support their transportation requirements.

Jessica Cooper, Deputy Secretary
505-690-0857
jessica.cooper@dot.nm.gov

Office of Infrastructure

In keeping with our new name, the New Mexico Department of Transportation has re focused its direction to improving affordable transportation modes available to citizens, tourists, and businesses of New Mexico.

Multimodal transportation choices invigorate the economy and connect people in small towns and cities and facilitate transportation of goods and people to other states and nations. This area focuses on the following modes of travel: transit, rail, aviation and highways. We strengthen our commitment for traffic safety, environmental excellence, and complete planning, design and engineering services.

David Quintana, Senior Executive Engineer
505-660-3654
david.quintana@dot.nm.gov

Modal Programs

The Modal Programs oversees the Aviation DivisionPorts of Entry, Transit & Rail, and Transportation Regulation Bureau.

David Harris, Modal Programs Executive Director
505-699-4350
davidc.harris@dot.nm.gov

Aviation Division

Pedro Rael, Aviation Division Director
505-629-5105
Pedro.Rael@dot.nm.gov

Administrative Services Section

Mallery Manzanares, Administrative Services Director
505-467-9396
Mallery.Manzanares@dot.nm.gov