Newly appointed Deputy State Treasurer Ricky Serna
From the Office of the State Treasurer:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Treasurer’s Office (STO) has announced the appointment of Ricky Serna as Deputy State Treasurer. Treasurer Laura Montoya appointed Serna to succeed Deputy Janice Y. Barela who is retiring after 25 years of service.
Serna brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as Acting Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Workforce Solutions, Acting Director for the State Personnel Office, and co-leadership for the Higher Education Department during the COVID-19 pandemic where he led an effort to reopen the state’s institutions for in person learning, and most recently, Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NM DOT).
As secretary of DOT, he managed a $1.3 Billion operating budget with more than 2,400 employees. As Deputy Treasurer, Serna will help the STO manage its nearly $6 million budget and $20 Billion investment portfolio. He will oversee STO’s day-to-day operations, including management of the Budget & Finance, Cash Management, Investments, Operations, and Programs and Outreach divisions. Serna will be tasked with implementing statutes, policies, programs, and special initiatives, and fostering strategic partnerships with state agencies, local governments, banks, and other key stakeholders.
In addition, Serna’s extensive experience in education will serve to assist Treasurer Montoya’s goals of establishing financial literacy education as a statewide high school graduation requirement. His experience will also be integral for Treasurer Montoya’s efforts to work with New Mexico’s higher education institutions to develop and implement specialized accounting, budgeting, and investment curricula with the aim of building and retaining financial workforce talent in-state to serve in public entities responsible for managing public funds.
“I want to sincerely thank Deputy Treasurer Barela for her dedicated service and for choosing to conclude her distinguished career with me and the State Treasurer’s Office,” Treasurer Montoya said. “We are deeply grateful that she brought her tremendous skillset and leadership to the STO, helping position the office in a stronger and more strategic place for the future. As she hands over the baton, we are committed to building on that foundation and creating a powerful, dynamic team to serve New Mexicans. I look forward to continuing that momentum and advancing the mission of the State Treasurer’s Office for the benefit of our state. Ricky’s expertise is rock solid and I am excited to carry out the mission, goals and initiatives with him.”
“I am blessed to continue my career of service to New Mexicans as part of the State Treasurer’s Office,” Serna said. “This is a golden opportunity for the Treasurer and me to utilize our shared strengths and skillsets to grow the state’s investments and improve socioeconomic outcomes. I look forward to leveraging my 20 years of experience in public service as an asset to Treasurer Montoya’s agenda for a stronger future for New Mexico.”
Serna earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New Mexico Highlands University. He will begin his official duties on March 1, 2026. He is married and has four children.
Deputy Barela’s last day will be March 17, 2026, to facilitate a smooth transition of responsibilities.
New Mexico State Treasurer Laura Montoya, right, with Deputy Janice Y. Barela, who is retiring March 17 after 25 years of service. Courtesy/STO