Major General Miguel Aguilar

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today named Major General Miguel Aguilar to lead the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM). He will serve as interim secretary, after Secretary David Dye steps down Sept. 15, while continuing to lead the New Mexico National Guard.

“My direction to General Aguilar is clear: DHSEM needs to be focused squarely on assisting New Mexicans affected by emergencies. That includes making sure that state resources are getting out as quickly as possible to the victims of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “Gen. Aguilar is the right person for the job, and I have full confidence in both his ability to lead and his dedication to serving the people of our great state.”

Maj. Gen. Aguilar said, “I’m looking forward to continuing to build up the state’s capacity to prepare for and respond to emergencies as well as streamline the state’s processes for getting aid out to New Mexicans in need. I’m grateful to Gov. Lujan Grisham for placing her trust in me.”

Maj. Gen. Aguilar’s leadership was instrumental during the wildfire season last year, subsequent flooding, and the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maj. Gen. Aguilar, a native of Dexter, N.M., has served as Adjutant General for the New Mexico National Guard since 2022 and was Deputy Adjutant General from 2018-2022. He previously served in the New Mexico State Police and has done multiple overseas deployments with the National Guard.