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 includes the Planning Division that oversees the Data Management BureauMultimodal Planning and Programs Bureau and Research Bureau. The office is also 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

Capital Programs and Investment

The Capital Program and Investments Division provides the expertise and resources to develop a Capital Investment Plan based on optimizing performance of the transportation system which identifies the most beneficial projects to execute with the anticipated revenues. As well as the Implementation of a Transportation Asset Management Program (TAMP) and the Transportation Asset Management Plan

The Capital Program and Investments Division is responsible for managing the NMDOT Bond program and coordinating federal grants such as the USDOT BUILD and INFRA Grants.

Denise Peralta, P.E., Capital Program and Investments Division Manager
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.

Vacant, Deputy Secretary

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

Lauren Vigil, Executive Administrator
505-487-0626
Lauren.Vigil@dot.nm.gov

Modal Programs

The Modal Programs oversees the Aviation Division, Ports of EntryTraffic Safety and Transit & Rail.

Pedro Rael, Aviation Division Director
505-759-1401
pedro.rael@dot.nm.gov

Jenifer Block, Ports of Entry Manager
505-469-6605
jenifer.block@dot.nm.gov

Jeff Barela, Traffic Safety Division Director
505-660-7696
jeff.barela2@dot.nm.gov

David Harris, Transit & Rail Director
505-699-4350
davidc.harris@dot.nm.gov