Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s
Symposium on the Future of Transportation in New Mexico

Speakers throughout the day-long event encompass officials, representatives, executives, and industry experts covering all aspects of electrification, resiliency, and emerging technologies within New Mexico’s transportation sector.
NOVEMBER 18TH, 2024
7:30AM-5:00PM Eldorado Hotel and Spa
Mark your calendar for the Governor’s Symposium on the Future of Transportation in New Mexico.
Agenda
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Registration and Welcome Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Welcome Remarks: Secretary of Transportation Ricky Serna
8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks: New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Complete Streets Presentation – Rosa Kozub, NMDOT Planning Division
9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Panel: Grid Modernization & Resilience
Focus: How electric cooperatives and utilities will support clean energy goals through grid
modernization, electrified infrastructure, and fleet electrification.
Moderator: Edward Milde, Customer Experience Ops Strategic Consultant at PNM
Panelists:
• Luis Reyes, Chief Executive Officer of Kit Carson Electric Cooperative
• Srinivasa Venigalla, Deputy General Manager of Electric Systems at
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
• Jacqueline Waite, Bureau Chief of the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources
Department of New Mexico
• Cholla Khoury, Chief of Staff of the Public Regulation Commission
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Panel: Statewide Charging Network & EV Infrastructure
Focus: Updates on New Mexico’s statewide charging network and key infrastructure
investments to support EV growth.
Moderator: Representative Tara Lujan
Panelists:
• John Williamson, Transportation Electrification Manager at PNM
• Andrew Gonzales, Deputy Director-Special Projects at NMDOT
• Seth Christ, Chief Strategy Officer at Francis Energy
• Angie Rodriguez, Supervisor-Electrification of Transportation at El Paso Electric
11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Morning Break (15 minutes)
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Panel: Electrification of Transportation Fleets
Focus: Fleet conversion to electric vehicles (EVs) for transit, corporate, school, and government
fleets presents opportunities for emissions reduction, but public resistance and funding
limitations remain key challenges. Concerns include high upfront costs, range anxiety, limited
charging infrastructure, and cultural preference for gasoline-powered vehicles. Addressing
these barriers requires a combination of direct pay incentives, public education, and innovative
financing, alongside federal and state investments in infrastructure through programs like
NEVI and CFI. Overcoming resistance and funding gaps will be critical to achieving widespread
adoption and ensuring the long-term success of EV initiatives.
Moderator: Rebecca Roose, Infrastructure Advisor at the Office of the Governor
Panelists:
• Jerry Valdez, Executive Director at NMDOT
• Mike Bartholomew, City Transit Director at City of Las Cruces
• Robin Shishido, Deputy Director, Highways Division for the State of Hawaii
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Presentation: The Intersection between Infrastructure Development
and Responsive Procurement
• Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department
• Glen Grimshaw, Senior Policy Analyst at the National Governors Association
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Lunch & Keynote Speaker
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Panel: Resilient Transportation Infrastructure
Focus: Innovations in materials and technologies that ensure roads and bridges can
withstand climate related challenges like extreme heat, drought, and flooding.
Moderator: Ciaran Lithgow, Planner at Bohannan Huston
Panelists:
• Dr. Fred Phillips, Emeritus Professor of Hydrology, Earth, & Environmental Science at
New Mexico Tech
• Representative Day Hochman-Vigil
• Marilyn Ochoa, Field Operations Supervisor at the Federal Highway Administration
• David Quintana, Chief Engineer of NMDOT
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m
Panel: Transportation for Sustainable Communities
Focus: Planning transportation investments to create walkable, bikeable,
and multimodal communities that reduce reliance on personal vehicles and
promote sustainability.
Moderator: Amy Whitfield, Special Director at NMDOT
Panelists:
• Daniel Werwath, Housing Policy Advisor at the Office of the Governor
• Daniel Gutierrez, Director of New Mexico MainStreet
• Gary Clavio, Planning Manager at Santa Fe County
• Ann Simon, Deputy Director of Policy & Sustainability Officer at City of Albuquerque
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Afternoon Break (15 minutes)
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Presentation: Workforce Development Updates
by Department of Workforce Solutions
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks and Next Steps,
Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna, NMDOT
4:30 p.m – 6:00 p.m.
Networking Reception


New Mexico’s ongoing energy transition touches all sectors in the state, including the transportation sector. Hear from leaders and subject matter experts in New Mexico — including state officials, utility executives, elected representatives and the auto industry — on electrification initiatives and strategies, ongoing climate resiliency work, and the transportation sector’s role in community and economic development throughout the state, such as evolving modes of transportation and street-level efforts.
Registration is now closed...
Thank you for your interest.