Richardson taps Mondragon for economic development secretary

Gov. Bill Richardson has appointed Albuquerque's economic development director to the post of cabinet secretary of the Economic Development Department for the entire state.

Fred Mondragon steps into a vacancy created when Richardson appointment Rick Homans as executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority.

"I am pleased that Fred has agreed to join my administration to continue our push to diversify New Mexico's economy," Richardson said in a prepared statement. "Fred has the qualifications, ability and drive to continue attracting high-tech industries that will keep bringing good jobs to New Mexico.

As director of Albuquerque's economic development program, Mondragon participated in the recruitment or expansion of a number of companies to the Duke City, including Tesla Motors, Verizon Wireless, Eclipse Aviation, Advent Solar and Albuquerque Studios.

Prior to joining the city, he was a private consultant for small and medium New Mexico companies and was vice president of L&M Technologies Inc. He was director of state and local information systems for BMD/TRW from 1990 to 1999 and served as deputy chief administrative officer for the city of Albuquerque from 1987 to 1989. He also served as chief executive officer of the University of New Mexico Hospital and served in the state Legislature for three terms.

Mondragon says he looks forward to applying the principles and strategies he used in Albuquerque on a statewide basis.