State Regulation and Licensing spokeswoman, New Mexico Activities Association attorney killed in Arizona crash

Officials say a state spokeswoman and her attorney husband were killed in a head-on crash Sunday evening in Arizona.

Bernice Geiger, 60, communications director for the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, and her husband, Mark Geiger, 62, a New Mexico Activities Association attorney, died in the crash south of Holbrook.

Both were heralded by their respective employers, who said the couple was traveling back from Phoenix.

Andrea Brown, with NMRLD, said in a statement that the agency would “miss the wisdom and kindness Bernice brought to work each day.”

“Bernice’s laugh and infectious smile could light up any room,” Brown said. “She was especially joyful when talking about her family.”

She said Bernice Geiger’s “positive outlook and commitment” carried through her 15 years with NMRLD, where she would make sure to know everyone’s name and frequently bring coffee and snacks in for coworkers.

Sally Marquez, executive director at the New Mexico Activities Association, said the organization was devastated by the loss of Mark Geiger, who had been representing the organization for over 25 years.

“He wasn’t just an attorney. He was a friend of the NMAA, the superintendents, all the school employees,” she said. “He cared about kids, and that was his number one focus: making sure (the) NMAA was on a level playing field.”

“It’s a huge loss for our schools,” she added. “... He believed in education-based athletics and was doing everything he could to protect (that).”

Arizona authorities said around 5:30 p.m., a Chevrolet Malibu “veered into the southbound lane for an unknown reason” and struck a semi-tractor trailer on State Route 377 south of Holbrook. A driver and passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the semi was not injured, according to authorities.

Bernice and Mark Geiger had two children and two grandchildren, with a third grandchild on the way, according to the Regulation and Licensing Department.

More recently, Bernice Geiger was heavily involved in putting out news and data on the blossoming cannabis industry across New Mexico.

“She filled a critical role at RLD at a time when timely, accurate, transparent communications regarding the cannabis industry were absolutely critical,” Ben Lewinger, executive director of the NM Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.

Duke Rodriguez, president and CEO of Ultra Health, called Bernice “the consummate professional.”

“But more importantly, she was a true New Mexican whose opinion, presence and contributions were always respected and appreciated,” Rodriguez said in a statement.