PUBLIC SECTOR ADVISORY COUNCIL
This Advisory Council will establish goals and priorities in relation to aligning local and regional economic development strategies, and will explore best practices programs in communities across the country as potential future models of success.
A JOB WORTH DOING IS WORTH DOING IT TOGETHER
The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance’s Public Sector Advisory Council is a collaborative group of highest level local government elected leaders or their designees representing communities within and adjacent to the greater Albuquerque metro area. The Chair of the Public Sector Advisory Council will be elected by its members annually and submitted for recommendation to the AREA Board of Directors for a one-year appointment to the AREA Board.
COUNCIL EXPERTISE
Members of the Public Sector Advisory Council represent communities within the region that have made a commitment to supporting regional economic development approaches, and are active in financial contributions or service agreements with AREA.
COUNCIL LEADERSHIP
CHAIR: COUNCILOR CRUZ MUNOZ, VILLAGE OF LOS LUNAS
Cruz Munoz was appointed Village Councilor to District 3 on February 21, 2019. Councilor Munoz is a lifelong resident of Los Lunas. He is a 1965 graduate of Los Lunas High School and a graduate of the University of Phoenix with a BSM degree. Councilor Munoz is a retired Branch Manager from Daimler Chrysler and a retired Sales Manager with JP Morgan Chase Bank. He is currently employed at Mountain America Credit Union.
Councilor Munoz is married to Cathy Wortman Munoz for 52 years and has 3 daughters, Monica Clarke, Kathleen Griego, and Kristy Jimenez. He has 6 grandchildren.
VICE CHAIR: SANDOVAL COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIR MICHAEL MEEK
Originally from the Pennsylvania area, Sandoval County Commissioner Michael Meek said he fell in love with the weather in New Mexico, which was one of his biggest deciding factors in his moving here. Meek, who was a real estate agent in asset management when he first moved here, soon found another calling after he took a few EMT classes.
“I liked the adrenaline and a job opening came up, and because I volunteered with the city (Rio Rancho), I got into the fire department,” he said. Meek said he worked hard for the next few years receiving a promotion every five years until he was asked to be the Fire Chief for the City of Rio Rancho. Meek said in his role at the fire department he knew he had to be a team player for all of the moving parts around him to work. “When I was elected to office it was the same exact motto,” he said. “Look at a problem, see how you can solve it along with its cost, prioritize it and follow through with getting it done.” Meek said he enjoys being out among his constituents and hearing what is important to them.