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The Office of the Chief of Staff

Johnny Montoya, Chief of Staff

image of COS

Johnny L. Montoya was appointed as Chief of Staff of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.

A Las Cruces, N.M. native, Montoya joined the NMPRC team in 2008, serving as Division Director for the agency’s Consumer Relations Division. After serving as CRD Director, Montoya assumed the role of Compliance Director for the NMPRC’s Division of Insurance – a position he held until his appointment as the agency’s Chief of Staff.

Prior to his March 1 appointment as Chief of Staff, Montoya was twice called upon by the NMPRC’s elected officials to serve in administrative roles – as interim Chief of Staff and interim Superintendent of Insurance – for brief spells.

Along the way, Montoya has earned the respect of the agency’s staff, division directors and the elected Commissioners thus paving the way for the Commission’s decision to appoint him to the top administrative post on a permanent basis.

“Johnny has demonstrated that he is a real asset for the agency and he’s proven himself a more than capable leader,” Commission Vice-Chairman Jerome D. Block (District 3) said of Montoya.

Montoya identified four priorities that he will focus on during his time as Chief of Staff: Focusing on maintaining the public trust; continuing the agency’s budgetary responsibility and fiscal solvency; maintaining transparency and open government and ensuring that all vacancies at the NMPRC are filled by the most qualified candidates.

Beyond his time with the NMPRC, Montoya boasts a wealth of professional experience in both public- and private-sector capacities. He has more than two decades management experience in both corporate and government settings

Montoya holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing degree from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. His CV includes stints as executive vice president of marketing for the U.S. New Mexico Federal Credit Union, state director of advertising and marketing for the New Mexico Department of Tourism, and marketing manager and brand management/consumer promotions for Miller Brewing Company, among others.

“I look forward to serving with citizens of New Mexico with honor, respect and enthusiasm,” COS Montoya said. “If we can be of service to you – the people of our great state – just let us know and we’ll do whatever we can to assist.”

Email: John.Montoya@state.nm.us
Mailing Address: PO Box 1269
Santa Fe NM 87504

Physical Address: 1120 Paseo de Peralta
Room 333
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Phone: 505-827-4433

About the Office of the Chief of Staff

menuright NM Statute 8-5-5

Chief of staff, division directors, other staff.

A. The commission shall appoint a chief of staff who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the commission staff under the general direction of the commission. The chief of staff shall serve at the pleasure of the commission.
B. With the consent of the commission, the chief of staff shall appoint division directors.Appointments shall be made without reference to party affiliation and solely on the ground of fitness to perform the duties of their offices.
C. Each director, with the consent of the chief of staff, shall employ such professional,technical and support staff as necessary to carry out the duties of his division. Employees shall be hired solely on the ground of their fitness to perform the job for which they are hired. Except as provided in Subsection D of this section, division staff are subject to the provisions of the Personnel Act 10-9-1 NMSA 1978.
D. With the consent of the chief of staff, the superintendent of insurance may designate the following insurance division positions as exempt from the provisions of the Personnel Act 10-9-1 NMSA 1978: deputy superintendents, chief actuaries and bureau chiefs.

Stacy Starr-Garcia
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief of Staff

1120 Paseo De Peralta
P.O. Box 1269
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
(505) 827-4433

The Chief of Staff provides essential support for the five Public Regulation Commissioners in the following ways:

• By collaborating on a regular basis with Division Directors to ensure that the Public Regulation Commission's policies are being implemented
• By attending every Public Regulation Commission work session and open meeting to report the progress that Divisions are making
• By providing leadership in preparing and monitoring the Public Regulation Commission budget
• By preparing key reports such as the Annual Report to the Legislative Finance Committee
• By serving as the coordination point for public relations and information
• By ensuring, during the legislative sessions, that the Public Regulation Commission responds to all legislative analysis requests made by state lawmakers

Recent Accomplishments

Division Directors meet on a monthly basis to introduce policy initiatives, consider high-level operational issues, and monitor the progress of ongoing projects. These meetings have improved the Commission’s ability to respond quickly and efficiently to fiscal and operational challenges, and generate innovative ideas to support strategic planning.

The Chief of Staff’s Office, in collaboration with the Division Directors, has worked to implement procedures that ensure performance-based budgeting goals and performance measure targets are met. As part of these efforts, the Chief of Staff’s Office has supported Division Directors in filling staff vacancies in essential operation areas.

Through competent prioritization and effective communications, the Chief of Staff’s Office is committed to helping the Public Regulation Commission ensure the quality, affordability, and continuity of services to New Mexico consumers and industry.

The Coming Year

The Chief of Staff’s Office will continue to assist the Public Regulation Commissioners and Division Directors in reviewing existing programs. These efforts will provide the insights and understanding necessary to pursue and obtain new or increased project funding, supporting program expansion and increasing the quality of services provided to the citizens and businesses of New Mexico.

The Chief of Staff’s Office will collaborate with Division Directors to create an environment of system-oriented, continuous quality improvement that supports informed and efficient program evaluation. It is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff to ensure the implementation of any legislation that effects the PRC.

Annual Reports

PRC Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Report

PRC Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report

PRC Fiscal Year 2007 Annual Report

PRC Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Report