State launches advisory board to guide $200M investment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chris Chaffin

Chris.Chaffin@edd.nm.gov

(505) 490-7962

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 2, 2026

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Cabinet Secretary Rob Black

Deputy Cabinet Secretary Isaac Romero

TIO Director Nora Meyers Sackett

State launches advisory board to guide $200M investment

SANTA FE — New Mexico’s new Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board held its inaugural meeting June 1, marking the beginning of formal oversight for more than $200 million in planned state technology and innovation investments.

The board will advise Economic Development New Mexico’s Technology & Innovation Office (TIO) on strategic planning, industry engagement and administration of the state’s Research, Development and Deployment (RD&D) Fund.

Of the more than $200 million in planned investments, $110 million will support the state’s RD&D Fund. TIO plans to announce funding opportunities from the RD&D Fund within the coming months.

"This advisory board is a critical bridge between the state and the broader innovation ecosystem," said Cabinet Secretary for Economic Development, Rob Black . "With historic levels of funding now in place, it’s essential that we leverage the expertise of leaders from industry, academia, national laboratories, and the broader research and innovation community so these investments have the greatest possible impact."

The board includes institutional representatives from across New Mexico’s research and innovation ecosystem – including Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, four state universities, community colleges and the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce – along with appointed members from the private sector.

The Advisory Board is expected to meet quarterly. For more information, visit edd.newmexico.gov/tio/ .

Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board, institutional representative members:

Chair Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary, Economic Development New Mexico

Becky Rowley, President, NM Independent Community Colleges

Leslie Hielema, President and CEO, NM Chamber of Commerce

Mary Monson, Senior Manager, Technology Partnerships and Business Development, Sandia National Laboratories James Zahler, Program Director for the Feynman Center for Innovation, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Tanner Schaub, Assistant Vice President for Research, New Mexico State University

David Hanson, Associate Vice President for Research, University of New Mexico

Hengameh Raissy, Vice President for Research, UNM Health Sciences Center

Lique Coolen, Vice President for Research, New Mexico Tech

Jason Arviso, Vice President of Operations, Navajo Technical University

Kyle Lee, CEO of CNM Ingenuity, Central New Mexico Community College

Alicia Corbell, Dean of the School of Energy, San Juan College

Stephanie Tofighi, Executive Director, NM Bioscience Authority

Appointed public members:

Josh Agenbroad

Edward (Ed) Blandford

Dana Catron

Jake Douglas

Charlene (Charie) Jacka

Yen Kha

Josué F Martinez Hardigree

Chad Matheson

Nathaniel (Nate) Miller

Janeth Peña

Jim Redman

Sarah Rubin

Gil Travish

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EDD’s mission is to improve the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunities and providing a place for businesses to thrive. EDD’s programs contribute directly to this mission by funding workforce training and infrastructure that supports business growth, helping every community create a thriving economy.

New Mexico Economic Development Department

EDD.NewMexico.gov

New Mexico Economic Development Department | 1100 South St. Francis Dr Joseph M. Montoya Building | Santa Fe, NM 87505-4147 US

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