*Legislatively Transferred to NMDOT from NMPRC July 1st, 2024) As a State Investigator with the New Mexico Department of Transportation's Transportation Regulation Bureau (TRB), I work closely with the Director, Bureau Chief, and our dedicated team to enhance the integrity, safety, and fairness of transportation services across the state.Building the Bureau: In collaboration with leadership, I contribute to structuring the TRB to address modern challenges in transportation regulation. Together, we develop strategic initiatives and implement policies that foster transparency and accountability, ensuring the bureau not only enforces regulations but also supports industry compliance and excellence.Inspections & Investigations Unit: I conduct thorough inspections of various motor carriers, including limousines, taxis, shuttle services, tour operators, household goods movers, freight carriers, non-emergency medical transport, ambulance services, transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, and towing services. My work involves investigating non-compliance issues, safety concerns, and consumer complaints to ensure all carriers operate legally and prioritize public safety.Addressing Predatory Practices: A key focus is tackling predatory practices, including fraud and illegal operations. I investigate companies engaged in fraudulent activities, enforce compliance, and protect consumers by recommending penalties to ensure adherence to legal standards.Collaborative Leadership: Alongside the Director, Bureau Chief, and team, I am actively involved in shaping the division's strategic direction. We are spearheading efforts to create a task force aimed at combating fraud within the transportation industry, enhancing our regulatory framework to uphold the highest ethical standards.Commitment to Public Safety and Fairness: Throughout my tenure at the NMDOT TRB, I have remained committed to curb predatory practices and foster a transparent industry for all.

As a State Investigator with the Public Regulation Commission (PRC), I played a pivotal role in ensuring compliance and protecting public interests across various transportation services in New Mexico. My primary focus was on addressing predatory towing practices, a critical issue affecting consumers.Predatory Towing Practices: I concentrated on investigating and regulating towing companies to combat issues such as excessive fees and unauthorized tows. My efforts were aimed at enforcing legal standards, ensuring transparency, and safeguarding consumers from unfair practices.Passenger Services: In addition to my work on towing, I ensured that limousine services like Blacklane and taxi companies such as Yellow Cab adhered to regulatory standards. I also monitored shuttle services like SuperShuttle and tour operators such as Albuquerque Trolley Co. to maintain high quality and safety for passengers.Goods and Freight Carriers: I was responsible for regulating household moving companies like Two Men and a Truck, as well as freight transport services such as UPS and FedEx. My oversight extended to specialized cargo carriers and intermodal transport services like Maersk, ensuring operational compliance and safety.Specialized Transportation: I inspected non-emergency medical transport providers and ensured that transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft operated within legal frameworks, providing safe and reliable services.Commercial Vehicle Operations: My role included conducting safety inspections and compliance checks for commercial motor vehicles, verifying CDL qualifications, and overseeing the safe transport of hazardous materials.At the PRC, I was dedicated to protecting public safety and ensuring that transportation services operated fairly and efficiently, with a particular emphasis on curbing predatory towing practices.

As a former investigator with the Internal Affairs Force Division (IAFD) of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), I specialized in conducting comprehensive investigations to uphold accountability and integrity within the police force. My role involved scrutinizing a wide range of conduct issues across all ranks, from Patrol Officers to the Chief of Police, as well as various specialized units including SWAT, K9, and Crisis Intervention Teams.I was responsible for investigating critical incidents such as officer-involved shootings, use of force, in-custody deaths, and civil rights violations. My work also addressed complaints of misconduct, corruption, bias-based policing, and other policy violations.In addition to conducting thorough investigations, I managed evidence collection, conducted interviews, documented scenes, and crafted detailed reports. I provided recommendations for disciplinary actions, training, and policy revisions to ensure compliance with departmental standards.Collaboration was a key aspect of my role, working alongside the District Attorney's Office, City Legal Department, Civilian Police Oversight Agency, Federal Monitors, the FBI, and New Mexico State Police. Through these efforts, I contributed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and public trust within the APD.Investigation TypesOfficer-Involved ShootingsUse of Force IncidentsIn-Custody DeathsPursuitsCivil Rights ViolationsMisconduct and Policy ViolationsCorruption AllegationsBias-Based Policing ComplaintsExcessive Force ComplaintsUnlawful Search and Seizure ComplaintsFalse Arrest ComplaintsImproper Detention Complaints

During my tenure at the New Mexico Board of Nursing (BON), I oversaw the regulation and investigation of a diverse range of nursing professionals, including Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), and all levels of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). I managed approximately 1,000 investigations over five years, focusing on high-priority cases like drug diversion and over-prescribing of narcotics. My efforts resulted in a 99.99% conviction rate for cases brought to hearing, highlighting my exceptional investigative skills.I was instrumental in developing an educational program that reached over 5,500 nursing students and hospital staff, enhancing their understanding of regulatory compliance and patient safety. This program significantly impacted the state's healthcare system, improving nursing practice quality and preventing future infractions.As a liaison with federal agencies such as the DEA, FDA, and FBI, I handled complex, multi-agency cases involving nurses, showcasing my expertise in high-stakes investigations. I established productive relationships with public officials and law enforcement officers, facilitating efficient inter-agency collaborations.I managed administrative tasks efficiently, consistently meeting deadlines for report submissions and case closures. By maintaining open communication with supervisors, I ensured operational safety and timely reporting.My tenure was marked by fostering crucial inter-agency relationships and significant contributions to nursing education. The educational program I developed likely had a lasting impact on the state's healthcare system, showcasing my commitment to improving nursing practice quality. Overall, my accomplishments at the New Mexico Board of Nursing highlighted my skills in investigation, education, expert testimony, and inter-agency collaboration, all instrumental in maintaining the integrity and safety of the nursing profession.

As a Compliance Officer at the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department (RLD), I oversaw compliance for approximately 3,000 professionals across multiple disciplines.Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: Managed compliance for Licensed Doctors of Oriental Medicine and certifications in Injection, Intravenous, and Bioidentical Hormone Therapies.Chiropractic Examiners: Maintained standards for Chiropractors and Advanced Practice Physicians.Counseling and Therapy: Monitored compliance for LPCs, LMHCs, LPCCs, LMFTs, LSAA, LADACs, and LPATs.Podiatry: Supervised licensure and compliance for Podiatric Physicians and Assistants, including Radiography.Body Art Practitioners: Ensured compliance for Tattoo Artists, Permanent Makeup Practitioners, Body Piercers, Scarification Professionals, and related events.Physical Therapy: Oversaw licensing, education and compliance for Physical Therapists and Assistants, including temporary licenses.Real Estate Appraisers: Ensured compliance for Apprentice, Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General Appraisers.Private Investigations: Monitored licensing and compliance for Private Investigators, Employees, Managers, Companies, Patrol Operators, Operations Managers, Patrol Companies, Polygraph Examiners, and Security Guards (Levels 1, 2, and 3).Ultimate Responsibilities: Developed and implemented compliance programs, conducted audits, educated professionals on regulations, and collaborated on policy development. Investigated complaints and non-compliance issues, recommending corrective actions. My role was crucial in maintaining the integrity and professionalism of practices across New Mexico, ensuring all professionals and establishments operated within legal and ethical boundaries.