Executive Administrative Assistant to the Cabinet Secretary Danelle Jimenez was hired in April of 2009. She previously worked in Administrative Support for the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, and in the same capacity at the Santa Fe County District Attorney’s Office. The Santa Fe native is the proud daughter of U.S. Army Veteran Juan Jacquez, a Prisoner-of-War for four years during the Vietnam War who spent much of his captivity in the infamous North Vietnamese Hoa Loa Prison Camp—sarcastically nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” by its captives. (505) 827-6334.

Deputy Secretary Alan Martinez also serves the dual role of overseeing all state benefits as the Benefits & Services Director—rising from the ranks after his hiring in 1993 as a file clerk.  Alan comes from a family with a strong history of military service. His great-great grandfather Librado fought in the battle of Glorieta; his grandfather worked in a Portland, Oregon shipyard during World War II.  Several family members served in Vietnam, the Cold War, Operation Desert Storm, and in Iraq and Afghanistan.  His oldest son will enter the U.S. Marine Corps with hopes of working as a military police officer. (505) 827-6374.

Administrative Assistant to the Benefits and Services Director Rebecca Tapiahas been with the department since September of 2003. She comes from a family with a strong military history. The Santa Fe native is the proud daughter of Jose Tapia, a Vietnam War combat veteran and Purple Heart Recipient. Jose’s father Miguel is a WWII Army veteran.  Rebecca also has three uncles and two brothers-in-law who are veterans, and a niece currently with the NM National Guard who was stationed for one year at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.

Director of Field Operations Tom Wagner oversees all 17 NMDVS field offices located throughout the state. He also handles Constituent Services issues. Tom joined the department in June of 2010 and brings over 30-years experience working in management positions with the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA)—including terms as the director of the Regional Offices in Albuquerque and Houston, Texas.  Tom was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star as a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. (505) 827-6636.

Executive Assistant to the Director of Field Operations Jovanna Sandovaljoined the department in February of 2008. The Albuquerque native comes from a family with a long history of military service. Her Grandfather Rudy Rael and two uncles served with the U.S. Marines in WWII. Another uncle served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War, and a cousin is on Active Duty with the New Mexico National Guard and has served three tours of duty in Iraq.

Director of Administrative Services Dan McCormack also serves as the NMDVS Chief Financial Officer. Prior to coming to the department in August of 2004, he co-owned an Information Technology company.  Dan retired from the U.S. Army in 2000 as a Colonel and later brevet promoted to Brigadier General.  He’s a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 1997.  Dan’s father served in the U.S. Army in World War II, Korea, and during the Vietnam era.  (505) 827-6303.

Accountant/Auditor Lisa Towles also serves as the Assistant to the Department’s Administrative Services Director & Chief Financial Officer. Before joining NMDVS in March of 2010, she worked at several state agencies for 11 years.  She is the proud daughter of Earl Towles, who served in the U.S. Navy from July, 1972 to September, 1973. Lisa’s grandfather also served in the Navy during WWII, an uncle who served in the U.S. Army, and an uncle who retired from service with New Mexico National Guard.

Public Information Officer Ray Seva joined the NMDVS in August of 2008. He earned a BA in Broadcast Journalism from San Jose State University before working for 24-years in the television news industry as the Santa Fe Bureau Chief for KOB-TV (the New Mexico NBC affiliate based in Albuquerque) and in various positions at TV stations in California (San Jose, San Francisco, and his hometown of San Diego.)  Ray’s father Ramon was a 20-year submariner in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer and as the USS Tunney’s last Chief of the Boat before its decommissioning after several “Special Operations” missions in the Vietnam War.  Ray’s paternal grandfather Raymundo was a WWII Philippine Scout and a Bataan Death March Survivor. (505) 362-6089

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Event Planner & Coordinator Josetta Rodriguez joined the NMDVS in September of 2006. She also assists Field Operations Director Tom Wagner with Constituent Services issues. Josetta worked in the printing industry for 20 years with managerial stints in Los Alamos, Indiana, Chicago, and her hometown of Santa Fe.  She’s the proud daughter of Joseph Rodriguez, who served in WWII from 1944 to 1946 and was the recipient of a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. She also had 5 uncles who served in WW II and a sixth who retired from a lengthy career with the NM National Guard. (505) 827-6356.

Coordinator for the Native American Tax Settlement (NAVITS) Fund Alexine Chavez joined the NMDVS in February of 2010. The Santa Fe native served 6 years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and is currently in the Air Force Reserves as an E-5/Security Force Staff Sergeant with one tour of service at Prince Sultan Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia and tours at Al Asad AB and Kirkuk AB in Iraq. Alexine comes from a large family of Air Force, Army and Marine Corps veterans who’ve served in WWII through the current war in Afghanistan. (505) 827-6306.

Receptionist Charlene Cortez also assists the Executive Assistant of the Benefits & Services Director. Prior to joining NMDVS in May of 2010, the Espanola Native worked as an Emergency/Non-Emergency Dispatcher for the Santa Clara Police Department.  Charlene is the proud granddaughter of Carlos Duran and Godchild of Barry McDonald—both of whom served with the U.S. Army in World War II and are buried at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Business Operations Specialist Terrie Romero supervises all department contracts. Prior to her arrival in July of 2009, Terrie worked in a similar capacity at various state agencies for 16 years. The Santa Fe native is extremely proud of the strong military heritage running in her family on both sides: Her father, father-in-law, four of her brothers and five nephews have served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Fiduciary Program Manager Patrick Martinez also serves as the department’s IT Technician. Prior to joining the NMDVS in January of 2000, the Santa Fe native worked at the New Mexico Department of Regulations & Licensing.  He is the proud grandson of Alfredo L. Martinez, Jr. who served as an Army Technician/5th Grade with the Coast Artillery Corps, 468th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion and was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action during the Siege of Bastogne, Belgium in December of 1944 during WWII. (505) 827-6309.

Fiduciary Social Worker Grace Escamilla joined the department in June of 2006. The El Paso, Texas native worked with the New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department and the Department of Health.  Grace’s father Martin served with the U.S. Marines for nine years during the Korean War era as a military police officer.  Her brother Javier was a U.S. Army Sgt. who served for seven years, including with an artillery unit as a Fire Direction Specialist in Operation Desert Storm. (505 841-841-6401

Fiduciary Social Worker Connie Vargaswas hired by the NMDVS in July of 2008. She worked for 17 years as an investigator with the New Mexico Children Youth & Families Department and as a senior Business Analyst in Albuquerque and her hometown of Los Angeles, California.  Connie is married to Juan Vargas, who was awarded a Purple Heart and a Presidential Unit Citation as a combat veteran of the Vietnam War with the U.S. Army’s 11th Armored Cavalry.  (505) 841-5585.