New Mexico Association of Realtors taps local for top job, ending streak of out-of-state hires

After months with an interim chief at the helm, the New Mexico Association of Realtors has appointed that same leader as its permanent CEO.

David Saavedra is now at the helm of the statewide professional association, which represents residential and commercial real estate practitioners.

Saavedra, who’s served as interim CEO since July, stepped into the permanent role following a national search and selection process, the association said on Monday. As CEO, Saavedra will oversee NMAR’s operations, advocacy initiatives and overall strategic direction.

“It’s a tremendous honor and something I’m very grateful for,” Saavedra said. “NMAR has been a big part of my professional life, and to now have the opportunity to lead this organization is both humbling and exciting.”

Saavedra is the association’s fourth CEO in the past two-and-a-half years.

He was preceded by Rob Wigton, who served in the role for six months; Lola Franklin, who assumed the role in July 2024; and Zachary Benjamin, hired in June 2023, according to NMAR spokesperson Ari Bransford-Kinzer.

“Several of these past CEOs were brought in from out of state and although they were good leaders, they were not the right leader for NMAR,” Bransford-Kinzer said.

“We are very excited to have David in the CEO seat now because not only is he a native New Mexican, but because he has a history with our association and knows the people and the organization so well,” she added.

Saavedra joined the association in 2022 to lead its advocacy and government affairs efforts.

“My dad was a homebuilder, so I grew up seeing how much a home can mean to a family and a community,” said Saavedra, a native of Grants, New Mexico. “That experience taught me early on that housing isn’t just about building structures and having a place to live; it’s about creating stability and opportunity for people.”

Before joining NMAR, Saavedra was a fiscal and policy analyst for the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee. Saavedra launched his career as president of the Graduate and Professional Student Association at the University of New Mexico, where he received a master’s degree in public administration in 2022 and a bachelor’s degree in public relations and communications in 2020.

“David’s energy, strategic insight, and deep understanding of New Mexico’s policy landscape make him the ideal choice to lead NMAR into its next chapter,” said 2025 NMAR President Dan Coleman in a statement. “He brings both the steady hand of experience and the innovative spirit our industry needs to thrive in a changing marketplace.”

Saavedra said his priorities entering the role are to strengthen NMAR’s role as a trusted community leader, provide Realtors with the tools and technology they need, uphold professionalism and ethics in real estate, establish greater connections between NMAR and local associations, and advance policy that benefits affordable homeownership and private property rights in New Mexico.

“My goal is to ensure NMAR continues to be a respected, forward-thinking organization that our members are proud to be part of,” Saavedra said.

NMAR, chartered by the National Association of Realtors in 1949, has roughly 7,000 member Realtors, whom the association supports through education, professional development opportunities, legal resources, networking, online tools and government affairs advocacy.