Rhonda Holderman
NMED News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Infrastructure Finance Conference has recognized New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) manager Rhonda Holderman for her exceptional work helping small New Mexico communities secure vital infrastructure funding with the Joe Guillen Award for Outstanding Community Development Service.
The Joe Guillen Award, renamed in 1999 to honor former Local Government Division Deputy Director Joe Guillen, recognizes public servants who have made significant, long-term contributions to community development and infrastructure planning across New Mexico.
“Rhonda Holderman’s dedication, expertise, and tireless work have made a measurable difference for communities across New Mexico,” Environment Secretary James Kenney said. “Her leadership in managing critical infrastructure funding, advancing sustainability and supporting local governments exemplifies the very best of public service.”
Holderman serves as the financial section manager in the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Construction Programs Bureau, where she has worked since 2015. She previously held the positions of loan manager and financial section manager at the agency.
Since joining NMED, Holderman has directed or helped distribute more than $469 million to support 1,118 water, wastewater, and solid waste projects across New Mexico:
- $207 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and grant program.
- $260 million in capital appropriation grants.
- $23.18 million from the Rural Infrastructure Program loan and grant program.
During her tenure at NMED, Holderman has energetically advocated for communities statewide. Her efforts have enabled communities to complete essential infrastructure projects that protect public health and the environment.
Recently, Holderman secured a $151 million loan package for the City of Santa Fe to address critical water, wastewater, and environmental utility needs — the largest funding package in the history of New Mexico’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.
In addition to Holderman’s recognition, the NMED Construction Programs Bureau received the Catalina Muniz ‘Utilities’ Award for Exceptional Infrastructure Projects in the Emergency Response category. The bureau earned the award for its interagency work with the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security, the City of Roswell, EPA Region 6, and FEMA to replace three damaged wastewater collection lines after catastrophic flooding in October 2025.
More information about NMED infrastructure funding opportunities is available on the department’s website at on our Funding Opportunities page at www.env.nm.gov/funding-opportunities/.