New Mexico Commissioner has energy, fresh ideas

Ray Powell, Jr. appointed New Mexico's Commissioner of Public Lands in May, 1994, was elected to a full four-year term in November of the same year.

The Albuquerque native received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of New Mexico. He worked his way through college as a tennis instructor, and is a member of the National Tennis Association.

He also received a degree in veterinary medicine from Tufts University and is a practicing veterinarian. Prior to his term as land commissioner, he was in private practice. He also served as special assistant to Governor Bruce King on environmental, natural resources, health and recreation issues. (His hobbies fall along these same lines, Powell enjoys gardening, hiking, yoga and lifting weights.)

By state law, the commissioner of public lands is a member of the State Investment Council, the State Mining Commission, the Oil Conservation Commission, the State Transportation Authority, and the Youth Conservation Corps Commission.

A number of initiatives have come out of Powell's office in the past few months.

In July, he announced the signing of a short-term, site-specific agreement with the U.S. Agriculture Department Animal Damage Control Agency to assist with predator management on state trust land. This agreement is limited to the wool-growing area of southwest New Mexico and is an aimed at curbing predator attacks on livestock.

In September, Powell and Las Cruces Mayor Ruben Smith announced the exchange of properties between the State Land Office and the City of Las Cruces. The property is adjacent to the city airport and within an industrial park. The exchange allows the city to plan in advance for expected growth near the airport.

The next month, Powell's project creating a planned community of affordable housing on 1,800 acres of state-owned land south of Santa Fe drew praise from the local paper for his "enthusiasm and creative thinking."

The project will provide housing for about 2,000 people.