SANTA FE — New Mexico Workforce Solutions Secretary Celina Bussey will step down in August to take a new job at Central New Mexico Community College, Gov. Susana Martinez announced today.
Bussey is currently one of just two remaining Cabinet members appointed by Martinez in 2011 that are still serving in the same job. Cultural Affairs Secretary Veronica Gonzales is the other.
In a statement, the Governor’s Office said Bussey had helped modernize New Mexico’s unemployment insurance tax and claims system over the last seven-plus years, while also working to reduce unemployment fraud and overpayment rates.
However, Bussey also faced criticism in the past over the state’s unemployment system, which at one time had been plagued by long wait times to reach a jobless call center and delays in determining benefit eligibility.
Deputy Workforce Solutions Secretary Erin Thompson will serve as acting secretary when Bussey officially steps down on Aug. 10.
In her new job, Bussey will serve as CNM’s chief workforce development officer.
