NM: State Launches Advisory Board to Guide $200 Million Investment in Tech and Innovation

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