Albuquerque – Governor-elect Susana Martinez today announced the members of the Governor-Elect Martinez Chief of Staff Search Committee. These individuals will work with the transition committee’s chairman, former Congresswoman Heather Wilson to identify the person who will serve as Governor-elect Susana Martinez’s chief of staff.
The members of the Governor-Elect Martinez Chief of Staff Search Committee include:
STEVE BELL, CHAIRMAN
Steve Bell is a visiting scholar at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Bell is also the founder of consulting firm Steve Bell, LLC. Bell served as chief of staff to Senator Pete Domenici for eight years leading on issues concerning the budget, energy and natural resources, and appropriations. Previously, Bell was the managing director at Salomon Brothers, and was nominated by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the Federal Thrift Savings Plan Board.
SUZANNE EISOLD
Suzanne Eisold is a partner with Alcalde & Fay. Eisold served as chief of staff for 22 years to late Congressman Joe Skeen. She managed and guided the Congressman’s legislative agenda on numerous issues, including agriculture, science and technology, and appropriations. During her tenure, Skeen was a senior member of the Committee on Appropriations. Prior to joining Skeen, she worked on several gubernatorial elections and at the Sandia National Laboratories.
LOU GALLEGOS
Lou Gallegos has served in numerous positions in government including assistant secretary for administration and chief of staff to former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. Gallegos has also served as both acting secretary and secretary for the Human Services Department, president of GNA, Inc. in Rio Rancho, special representative to the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, assistant secretary for policy, management and budget for the U.S. Department of the Interior, state director of the Farmers Home Administration and chief of staff to Senator Pete Domenici.
JAY MCCLESKEY
Jay McCleskey is a partner at the Lincoln Strategy Group, and Governor-elect Martinez’s lead political consultant, having served as her chief strategist and media consultant for her successful gubernatorial campaign. In 2009, McCleskey served as Mayor Richard Berry’s chief strategist in his successful bid to become Albuquerque mayor. From 2005 to 2009, McCleskey managed political operations in 10 states as the regional political director for the Republican National Committee after managing President George W. Bush’s successful Victory operation in New Mexico in 2004.