NMRA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — June 10, 2026 After 25 years championing New Mexico’s restaurant community, New Mexico Restaurant Association CEO Carol Wight will retire at the end of the year, bringing to a close a career defined by advocacy, resilience, and heart.
Wight, a former restaurateur who stepped into the CEO role in 2002, has been one of New Mexico’s most influential voices for restaurants. Her tenure spanned economic swings, regulatory battles, workforce challenges, and the unprecedented disruption of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Through it all, she became known for her clarity, tenacity, and unwavering commitment to helping restaurants survive and thrive.
“Carol didn’t just lead this industry—she carried it,” said Chris Zalesiak, chair of the NMRA Board of Directors. “Her advocacy, her relationships, and her ability to cut through noise and get to the heart of what operators need have shaped policy and protected thousands of businesses across New Mexico. Her impact is immeasurable.”
Under Wight’s leadership, NMRA expanded its role as a statewide resource hub, strengthening compliance support, workforce development, and education for operators. She championed programs that elevated the next generation of hospitality professionals, including ProStart and the Hospitality Industry Education Foundation, and she helped grow signature events like the annual Hospitality Industry Awards into statewide celebrations of the people who define New Mexico dining. In 2025, she brought ABQ Restaurant Week back after a long COVID hiatus, and the 2026 edition proved an even bigger success—drawing record participation and renewed excitement across Albuquerque’s dining scene.
Wight also became a trusted voice at the Legislature and in regulatory arenas, known for her ability to translate the realities of restaurant operations into clear, actionable policy conversations. Her work helped shape statewide discussions on wages, licensing, fees, workforce pipelines, and the long‐term sustainability of independent restaurants.
“Being trusted to lead this association has been the honor of my professional life,” Wight said. “I came into this role as a restaurateur who understood how hard this business is—and how deeply it matters to our communities. Every day, my goal was simple: make it easier for restaurants to keep their doors open and their teams employed. I’m proud of what we’ve built together, and I know NMRA is positioned for a strong future.”
The NMRA Board of Directors will begin a formal search for the association’s next CEO. Wight will remain in her role during the transition to ensure continuity in advocacy, operations, and member support.