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Friday, November 21, 2008

Governor Names Gary Giron Transportation Secretary


Associated Press
      SANTA FE — Gov. Bill Richardson today named Gary Giron, a deputy secretary in the Transportation Department, as state secretary of transportation.
    He will succeed Rhonda Faught, who retires at the end of the year.
    Giron, 53, of Rio Rancho, is currently deputy secretary of business support at the agency, a position he has held for two years.
    Richardson cited his "extensive experience as a manager and a thorough understanding of our transportation issues."
    The cabinet-level post requires confirmation by the state Senate. The Legislature meets in January.
    The agency oversees highways and transportation statewide, including construction of the Rail Runner commuter train, which is operating between Belen and Bernalillo and is scheduled to reach Santa Fe by the end of this year.
    Giron, a mental health counselor with 22 years experience in the health care field, has held various managerial positions in the Richardson administration since 2003.
    He was deputy secretary for finance and administration in the Department of Health in 2003-04, then deputy director of the state personnel office for two years.
    He was administrator of the Department of Health's New Mexico Rehabilitation Center in Roswell from 1999 through 2003.
    Faught, who has been department secretary for six years, is retiring after 21 years in state government.

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