Cindy Chavez will take over the job after a background check and other formalities are finished.
Chavez has been living in California and working in government there for the last 25 years but was born in Alamogordo. Commission Chair Barabra Baca called her a true New Mexican.
“That is true, her family, and her heart and her understanding of New Mexico is deep,” she said.
Until Chavez takes the reins, deputy county manager Shirley Ragin will act as Interim County Manager after Julie Morgs Baca’s retirement at the end of this month.
Ragin was overwhelmingly supported for the task after Baca nominated her for the role.
“ And it’s been seconded by everyone up here. I dunno if there’s any discussion that round,” Baca said, as she was drowned out by applause.
The two finalists were Chavez, nominated by Baca, and Marcos Gonzales, nominated by Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada.
Commissioners Baca, Adriann Barboa and Eric Olivas cast the winning votes for Chavez.
The county manager search was fraught and included a finding by the Attorney General that commissioners violated the state’s Open Meetings Act during the process.
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