Albuquerque – Governor-elect Susana Martinez today announced the members of the Governor-Elect Martinez Energy & Environment Search Committee. These individuals will work with the transition committee’s chairman, former Congresswoman Heather Wilson to identify cabinet officials and other leaders who will reflect the governor-elect’s commitment to position New Mexico as a leader in developing its energy supplies, while promoting a clean and healthy environment.
The members of the Governor-Elect Martinez Energy & Environment Search Committee include:
PETE DOMENICI, JR., CHAIRMAN
Pete Domenici, Jr. is a principal at Domenici Law Firm, P.C. and has been practicing law since 1986. Domenici serves as lead counsel in administrative, state and Federal court matters, including water rights adjudications, permits and permit modification, compliance orders, enforcement actions and litigation, land grant, real property litigation, and advising clients on environmental and natural resource project development strategies.
JOEL CARSON
Joel Carson is general counsel to a diverse group of companies involved in energy, agriculture, healthcare and other-related businesses. From 1999 to 2008, Carson was a partner at the law firm of Hinkle, Hensley, Shanor & Martin, L.L.P. where his practice focused on natural resources.
CHUCK FRANCO
Chuck Franco is the husband of Governor-elect Martinez and his career in law enforcement spans nearly 30 years. Currently Franco is the undersheriff of the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office. Currently he is the undersheriff for Dona Ana County and has worked for Las Cruces Police Department, the New Mexico State University Police, the state Game and Fish Department and served as a Magistrate Judge in Dona Ana County.
ROY FARR
Roy Farr is a 4th generation rancher and member of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association.
DR. DENNIS L. HJERESEN
Dennis L. Hjeresen serves as division leader for Environmental Protection at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) where he is responsible for regulatory compliance, permitting and risk reduction programs, as well as interaction with regulatory agencies. Hjeresen previously served as LANL’s director of the Office of Risk Reduction.
T. GREG MERRION
T. Greg Merrion is the president of Merrion Oil & Gas, a second generation, family-owned independent producer based in Farmington. Merrion is a past president of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico and past chairman of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association. He is also a member of the New Mexico Amigos.
RANCE MILES
Rance Miles has a long history of service to the New Mexico dairy industry. Currently, Miles is the chief operational officer and chief financial officer of Select Milk Producers, Continental Dairy Products and a member of the board of directors of Southwest Cheese. Miles was also a member of the board of First National Bank from 1997 to 2007.
MARK MURPHY
Mark Murphy is president of Strata Production Company, an independent oil and gas exploration and production company, based in Roswell. Murphy is a director and past president of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico, the immediate past chairman for the energy industry consortium Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America and serves as an industry advisor to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology’s Petroleum Recovery Research Center.