New Mexico Gov.-elect Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of Gov.-elect Michelle Lujan Grisham:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Gov.-elect Michelle Lujan Grisham announced additional appointments today in Albuquerque.
“Every single day we have the opportunity to build our new leadership is a great day for New Mexico,” Lujan Grisham said. “These three individuals have had incredibly distinguished careers, and I’m honored they are willing to dedicate this part of their lives to establishing a whole new dynamic.”
The governor-elect announced the following appointments:
- William Scott Carreathers: Office of African American Affairs;
- Judy Griego: Department of Veterans Services; and
- Jen Schroer: Tourism Department.
William Scott Carreathers is the director of African American Student Services at the University of New Mexico, a role he has held for almost 20 years, since 2002. It’s the capstone work of a career in which he has spent more than 30 years leading progressive and innovative student-focused initiatives. A trusted voice for young black students in academic, social and career-pathway settings, Carreathers has advised student organizations and individual students. From 2005 to 2010, he was associate dean for diversity initiatives, linking the Division of Student Affairs and the University College Advising Center. Other roles at the University of New Mexico include senior academic advisor and university representative, helping to develop a recruitment plan and liaising with counselors and educators in New Mexico, Texas and Colorado. Carreathers has an undergraduate degree in health from Northwest Oklahoma State University and a Master of Education degree from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. (Note: The title of the head of the Office of African American Affairs is executive director, and the position is not subject to Senate confirmation.)
Brig. Gen. Judy Griego, the first woman to ever be promoted to that rank in the New Mexico National Guard, had a decorated military career, establishing herself as both pioneer and leader. Her most recent role, before her retirement in 2016 after a 36-year career, was as chief of staff of the New Mexico Air National Guard, where she directed, managed and supervised the development, execution and evaluation of programs and policies pertaining to the command, control and operations at the State Headquarters level; she was also responsible for several key personnel programs, including the state’s Sexual Assault Response Prevention Program, Counter Drug Support Program and Veterans Transition Assistance. Among her various key leadership roles, Griego also served as chief of the joint staff at New Mexico Joint Force Headquarters. A native New Mexican, Griego first enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1979 and served her first twelve years in the enlisted ranks, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. She commanded in numerous positions and deployed to Iraq in 2007. As a volunteer for Junior Achievement of New Mexico, she has helped foster business, entrepreneurship and financial education for young adults; she is also president of the governing board of La Promesa Early Learning Center. Griego received an undergraduate degree in professional aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a master in aeronautical sciences from the same school.
Jen Schroer is the executive director of the Davis, Calif., chamber of commerce. Previously she was the president and chief executive of the New Mexico Hospitality Association. In her time in California, she has also served on the California Economic Summit Council, contributing to efforts to address income equality and economic security. As leader of the hospitality association, a position she held from 2014 until earlier this year, Schroer was a fierce advocate for the state’s travel, tourism and lodging industries, leading a successful merger of the New Mexico Lodgers Association and the Tourism Association of New Mexico and overseeing an 80 percent increase in association membership over three years. She convened industry partners to address common challenges and spearheaded pushes for industry-boosting legislative and regulatory efforts. Schroer has served in the state Tourism Department before, as director of strategic partnerships, a role in which she worked with Virgin Galactic and created a new program that infused the “New Mexico True” brand into growing fairs, festivals and sporting events throughout the state. Schroer earned an undergraduate degree in organizational leadership and theater arts from Fresno Pacific University and a Master of Business Administration from California State University, Fresno.
