Brian S. Colón, NALEO Board President
NALEO News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) has announced the election of Brian S. Colón as its Board President for the 2026–2027 term. Colón, a long-standing civic leader and the current Managing Partner and Trial Lawyer at Singleton Schreiber’s New Mexico office, steps into the national leadership role as the organization marks its milestone 50th anniversary.
Colón will lead the NALEO Board of Directors in its ongoing mission to empower and equip Latino elected and appointed officials nationwide. The organization provides critical data, policy insights, peer networks, and practical governance tools to leaders serving at every tier of government—from local school boards and city halls to statehouses and federal offices.
“This service as NALEO President is directly tied to why I’m a trial attorney, where I fight for justice and equity for New Mexicans in every community in the state,” Colón said. “The NALEO members are on the ground every single day, driving meaningful change in their communities. My goal is to ensure NALEO continues to deliver the robust resources, data, and support our leaders need to govern effectively, advocate fiercely, and build a more equitable future.”
Colón brings over three decades of legal expertise, public service, and community advocacy to the position. He previously served as the New Mexico State Auditor from 2019 to 2023, where he was recognized for his aggressive oversight, government accountability initiatives, and recovering millions of dollars in public funds. A former Chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, Colón has consistently championed diversity and leadership development within the legal and political landscapes. Since leaving the auditor’s office, Colón has worked as a trial lawyer, fighting for New Mexicans as they seek justice against multi-billion-dollar corporations and government entities. One of his biggest fights has been against FEMA in getting the organization to pay victims of the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon fire.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brian Colón as our Board President,” said Erica Bernal-Martinez, CEO of NALEO. “Brian’s lifelong commitment to public service, combined with his strategic vision and passion for community empowerment, makes him the ideal leader to guide our board as we embark on our next 50 years of supporting Latino leadership across the United States.”
Brian S. Colón is the Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber’s New Mexico offices. The first in his family to earn a college degree, he holds a finance degree from New Mexico State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law. A Certified Fraud Examiner and dedicated servant-leader, Colón serves on numerous boards, including the New Mexico Community Trust and the NAACP Albuquerque Branch, and is the founder of the UNM/NMHBA Law Camp.
About NALEO
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) is the leadership organization of the nation’s more than 7,000 Latino elected and appointed officials. A non-partisan, 501(c)(4) organization, NALEO deliberates on policy issues affecting the Latino community, develops leadership capabilities among its members, and facilitates civic participation.
