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Katrina Hotrum-Lopez retires as governor loses another Cabinet secretary
SANTA FE — The head of the state’s Aging and Long-Term Services Department retired Monday — the ninth Cabinet secretary to leave Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration over the last year.
Katrina Hotrum-Lopez joined the governor’s administration about four years ago, leading the agency that includes adult protective services. She is also a former director of behavioral health for Bernalillo County.
The governor’s health policy advisor, Gina DeBlassie, will serve as interim secretary.
Monday was the outgoing secretary’s last day.
“During my tenure,” Hotrum-Lopez said in a statement, “our department navigated an unprecedented global pandemic, historic wildfires, and all the everyday challenges of providing services throughout New Mexico. I want to thank Gov. Lujan Grisham for her trust in me, as well as her mentorship and example through the years.”
Lujan Grisham, a former Cabinet secretary herself, has had a spate of departures from her administration as she moves into her second four-year term. Among those who have left this year are the secretaries of children, youth and families; human services; economic development, and public education.
Nine Cabinet secretaries have left since November.
On Monday, the governor thanked Hotrum-Lopez for “her work on behalf of New Mexico seniors. Her dedication to improving services and care for our seniors has impacted countless lives.”
